On Friday, Russian media once more peddled claims that Ukraine is utilizing "black magic" in opposition to President Vladimir Putin's forces within the ongoing warfare.

Ukrainian "authorities don't thoughts flirting with evil forces," Russian pro-Kremlin information web site life.ru claimed in an article titled: Abductions, theft, extortion: How the Nazis hunted the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

The article accused Oleksiy Arestovych, navy adviser to Ukraine's presidency, of calling on Ukrainian witches and sorcerers to conduct occult rites after Putin launched his invasion in February.

An "occult neighborhood" responded to Arestovych's calls, and a ritual was carried out by sorcerers in Ukraine's western Ternopil area, the outlet stated.

"Officers and safety forces of Ukraine typically behave like witches and sorcerers," it continued.

The article cited Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti's claims earlier this week that Ukraine is utilizing "black magic" to thwart Putin's invasion.

That report stated "indicators" of black magic had been discovered on the Ukrainian artillery headquarters on the outskirts of a village referred to as Trekhizbenka within the Luhansk area, and revealed photos of what it referred to as a "satanic seal" that was allegedly discovered on the partitions of a navy unit's headquarters.

"For instance, on the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the village of Trekhizbenka (LPR), an occult inscription was discovered, which can point out the occupation of Ukrainian servicemen with black magic," Life.ru reported.

RIA Novosti cited cult researcher Ekaterina Dyce as claiming that the signal allegedly discovered on the partitions of Ukrainian navy headquarters is a magical sigil (image) "consisting of many intersecting strains."

Dyce claimed the signal is a "magic seal of darkish forces" that mixes parts of anarchy, weapons and fascist symbols, and famous that it was drawn in a single steady hand motion. This means its "occult nature," she stated.

"What it means is troublesome to say for certain, in it you possibly can see each the inverted signal of anarchy and a part of the signal "CC", rune zig, it's clearly seen within the far left sector of the circle, and the Hebrew letter 'zayin' written in German, that means sword or weapon," Dyce stated.

The information outlet additionally claimed that authorities discovered a blood-covered doc contained in the constructing.

"There have been blood stripes on the doc, regardless of the actual fact that there have been no such traces wherever else," the report stated.

Newsweek has been unable to independently confirm the claims.

Newsweek has reached out to Russian authorities and Ukraine's Ministry of International Affairs for remark.

Illustration of a burning cross-shaped flame
Russian media on Friday once more peddled claims that Ukraine is utilizing “black magic” in opposition to President Vladimir Putin’s forces within the ongoing warfare. Inventory picture of an illustration of a burning cross-shaped flame.Inventory Picture/Getty Photographs