What was scattered and why it matters
According to the police, the “banknotes” were not real currency. They were flyers printed to look like hryvnia on one side, but with a message on the other. The message promised payment for information that could help Russian forces target Ukrainian troops and equipment. In short, the leaflets attempted to turn everyday people into spotters by offering quick cash.
The trick is simple: the promise of easy money may catch someone’s eye faster than a plain leaflet. But the aim is not simple at all. Getting civilians to send coordinates or pictures of troop locations can put Ukrainian soldiers and residents at risk, and it can help guide missiles, drones, or artillery.
Police said this is a form of “information warfare” and a criminal act. Passing military locations to an enemy during wartime is treated as collaboration and espionage under Ukrainian law. The force reminded residents that anyone who shares such information can face serious charges and long prison terms. Officers urged people not to touch or spread the flyers and to call the police if they find them.
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Where it happened and the local context
Chernihiv lies roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the border with Russia. The city has experienced repeated attacks since the full-scale invasion began. Air-raid alerts, drone strikes, and missile salvos are not new here. Still, a drone dropping fake banknotes stands out because it targets minds and behavior, not only buildings and roads. It is meant to sow doubt, create temptation, and weaken trust inside the community.
Residents who saw the flyers said they first looked like a scattered pile of cash from a distance. On closer inspection, the “bills” felt and looked wrong—thin paper, off colors, and a printed message urging contact through messenger apps. Police quickly cordoned off the streets where the material landed and began collecting evidence.
A broader pattern: bribery, blackmail, and teens at risk
Ukrainian officials say Russia has repeatedly tried to recruit helpers inside the country since the war began. Methods have included bribery, threats, and online grooming. Recruiters often work through messenger apps and social media, contacting people directly and promising fast cash for a single “small” task—snapping a photo of a checkpoint, writing down license plates, or pinning a GPS location.
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Authorities warn that teenagers are especially vulnerable to these approaches. Recruiters may lie about the risks or dress the request up as a “harmless favor.” Law enforcement has documented cases where minors were tricked into sharing sensitive information or placing small devices near infrastructure, only to face criminal charges and lifelong consequences. Today’s leaflets follow the same script, but swap private chats for a public drop.
What the police want people to do
The police message is direct: if you see suspicious materials like fake hryvnia, do not pick them up, do not share them, and do not scan any QR codes or add contacts listed on the flyers. Photograph the location from a safe distance if possible, note the time and place, and call the police. If someone receives a message offering money for information, officers ask that they report the account details and block the sender.
Officials also urged parents and teachers to speak with children and teenagers about these tactics. A short talk can prevent a costly mistake. “Easy money” tied to military information is never harmless, and those who ask for it are not friends.
Under martial law and the criminal code, giving an enemy military data—like troop movements, unit positions, or the location of air-defense systems—is a serious offense. People convicted of such acts can face heavy prison sentences. Beyond the legal risk, there is a human cost: sharing coordinates may lead to strikes that kill or injure neighbors, friends, or family members. Police say the leaflets are designed to make people forget that real people stand behind every “target.”
Why use fake hryvnia banknotes?
Propaganda tries to catch attention. A plain leaflet is easy to ignore; something that looks like money is harder to overlook. Even if most people throw it away, a few might read the message—and a few is all it takes for an enemy to get a useful tip. That is why authorities treat these drops as serious, even if they seem odd.
The stunt also creates noise. Social media posts about “money raining from the sky” can distract from real warnings and help spread the enemy’s contact details. Police asked residents not to amplify such content online and to share only official guidance from trusted channels.
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What happens next
Investigators are reviewing the hryvnia like material and checking nearby cameras to track the drone’s path. Explosive-ordnance teams also examined the area to ensure nothing dangerous was hidden among the leaflets. Local officials said city services cleared the streets and that normal activity resumed quickly.
For Chernihiv, the episode is another reminder that the war reaches far beyond the front line. Missiles and drones attack infrastructure, but leaflets, fake accounts, and rumor campaigns attack judgment and trust. Authorities say the best defense is simple: stay alert, follow official guidance, and report anything suspicious. A few minutes spent calling the police can stop a trick from turning into a tragedy.