Russian forces launched an assault on Ukrainian positions in Zaporizhzhia under the cover of both Russian and American flags, according to a report from the defense news outlet Militarnyi.
The incident took place near Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian troops attempted to storm defensive positions held by Ukrainian forces.
Open-source intelligence specialists assessed that the attack occurred on August 12, with the armored vehicle moving from Verbove toward Mala Tokmachka.
The exact type of armored personnel carrier involved remains unclear. While Russian propaganda channels identified it as a U.S.-made M113, observers pointed out structural differences suggesting it may have been a Russian BTR-MDM “Rakushka.”
Video of the attack quickly drew attention in Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, condemned the use of American symbols in the assault.
“In fact, the Russians are using the symbols of the United States in their terrorist war of aggression, with the killing of civilians. This is the height of insolence,” Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.
The report noted that Russian troops carried out the attack while flying both the American and Russian flags. Such actions risk sowing confusion on the battlefield and could be used for propaganda purposes aimed at portraying Western involvement in the war.
Militarnyi said the assault was part of ongoing Russian efforts to break through fortified Ukrainian positions in Zaporizhzhia, where fighting has remained intense.
The use of false flags and misleading symbols is not new in warfare, but the display of the U.S. flag by Russian forces underscores the complexity of information operations surrounding the war. For Ukraine, officials say, it is further evidence of Russia’s disregard for international norms.
Yermak emphasized that the act was not only a battlefield tactic but also an attempt to manipulate public perception of the war. He called it “an insolent gesture” designed to blur responsibility for Russia’s ongoing invasion.