Drones Drop Counterfeit Hryvnias in Sumy Region: QR Codes Steal Personal Data from Ukrainians.

Fake Hryvnia Notes Found in Sumy Region

According to Novyny.live: Authorities in Ukraine's Sumy region have reported incidents where unmanned aerial vehicles scattered counterfeit hryvnia banknotes. Locals discovered harmful QR codes on the fakes, which pose a risk of personal data theft. The event took place on April 2, 2026. As context, this region has been under heightened security concerns due to its proximity to the Russian border, making such incidents particularly alarming.

According to official reports, the National Bank of Ukraine has withdrawn from circulation banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnias, regardless of their year of issue. Additionally, 20, 50, 100, and 200 hryvnia notes from specific years are now considered invalid. It is worth noting that as of April 2026, the smallest legal hryvnia denomination in circulation is 20 hryvnias.

These items bear hostile inscriptions. The QR codes direct users to enemy-controlled websites. The discovered objects have been seized for forensic examination.

Oleh Hryhorov, Head of the Sumy Regional State Administration

Residents are strongly advised to exercise caution and refrain from using the mentioned denominations to avoid potential harm. In light of this situation, Ukrainians must remain particularly vigilant during financial transactions and verify the authenticity of banknotes to protect themselves from fraud.

This incident threatens the financial security of citizens and could have serious repercussions for the region's economy. Beyond simply identifying counterfeit notes, it is crucial to actively educate the public about the dangers of such scams. Authorities must implement additional measures to safeguard residents and prevent similar occurrences in the future.