Russia Says It Stopped Drone Attempt to Plant Ukrainian Flag on Kupyansk City Hall

Overview

• Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on January 11 that Ukrainian forces used a drone in an attempt to place a Ukrainian flag on the Kupyansk city administration building.
• The ministry said the unmanned aircraft and the flag were destroyed during the attempt.
• The statement asserted that Ukraine resorted to the flag drop because its forces could not enter the city.
• RIA Novosti published the account, and there was no independent verification in the provided coverage.
• Kupyansk, in Kharkiv Oblast, is portrayed by Russian reporting as under Russian control, underscoring the use of drones for signaling and information operations.