This video was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
«An ordinary day in Ukraine». This is how propaganda sources captioned a video in which a so-called «Syrian mercenary» allegedly prays in an ATB grocery store. Predictably, the Russian audience reacted to the video with a load of racist and xenophobic remarks.
However, the ten-second video circulating online is a fake generated using AI. First, although judging by the angle the video is supposedly filmed on a surveillance camera, the frame is unstable and constantly shaking, as if someone is holding the camera in their hands. And secondly, the ATB logo that appears in the frame is different from the real one. The ATB network has not used blue in its branding since 2017, but even before the rebranding, they used a different shade of blue. The logo itself had a different font and a more complex geometric composition. In addition, there were gaps between the letters in the inscription, while the inscription in the fake video has none.
In open sources, we were unable to find any confirmation that Syrian citizens are serving in the ranks of Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, it is known that even at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia recruited at least 16,000 mercenaries from the Middle East, including from Syria, for the war against Ukraine. According to the BBC, Syrian social networks were flooded with invitations to serve for a monthly compensation of $7,000. The publication even spoke to one of the former soldiers, who said that financial difficulties are what prompts his fellow citizens to join the Russian army. The BBC interviewee claims that the volunteers are aware of the danger of death, but they have no other choice as Syrians often do not have enough money even for basic necessities.
There are indeed many soldiers who practice Islam in the Ukrainian army. According to Said Ismagilov, a native of Donetsk, who serves in the air defense troops, «both officers and comrades respect the religious needs of their colleagues. There are units where they prepare food for the military, taking into account the needs of Muslims… Islam is a fairly flexible religion and allows for certain relief for believers who are in difficult or inconvenient conditions. But I know many Muslims for whom this is the third Ramadan, which they keep, despite performing combat missions». The man emphasizes that although Muslims make up only 0.2% of the population of Ukraine, they make up as much as 2% in the army.
Thus, the video with a «Syrian mercenary» praying in the ATB is a fake designed to sow xenophobic anti-Islamic sentiments in Ukrainian society. In fact, there are many Muslims serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and comrades respect their religious beliefs. We have already refuted similar misinformation in the article Fake: Ukrainian Soldiers Set Koran on Fire.
