Disinfo: Bucha massacre was orchestrated by Ukrainian forces

Summary

Bucha was orchestrated by Kyiv to discredit the Russian army later presented by Western media as the "Bucha massacre". Ukraine accused Russian troops of massacring and retaliating against civilians in the city.

The dead bodies depicted in the photos and videos are very real. "The Bucha Massacre" is rendered a farce by the events leading up to its "unveiling" which have been almost completely ignored by Western media.

After the departure of Russian soldiers from Bucha, a gesture of goodwill from Moscow, the mayor of Bucha published a video speaking in a cheerful voice, welcoming the withdrawal of troops, but does not mention the alleged "atrocities".

Bucha was then subjected to massive and indiscriminate shelling by Ukrainian artillery. According to military correspondents, the Ukrainian military simply did not notice the withdrawal of Russian troops and continued to shell the city.

The Ukrainian authorities have not provided detailed and verified forensic reports revealing the dates and causes of civilian deaths. Nevertheless, there were claims that civilians had died from wounds caused by darts.

This type of shell has been used by the Ukrainian forces against the population of Donbass for several years, which suggests that the bombardment of Bucha with this type of ammunition would not have been unusual.

Disproof

Recurrent denial of war crimes committed by Russian forces during the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine and denial of military retreat by an alleged “gesture of goodwill”.

The retreat of Russian forces took place because they were losing the battle for Kyiv. They needed massive reinforcements to take the capital that were not available. However, the Kremlin presented this as a “gesture of goodwill” to favour negotiations in Istanbul.

It is grossly incorrect to say that no details were released on the victims. In December 2022 an investigation based on videos and telephone metadata of civilian devices stolen by Russian soldiers established the responsibility of a Russian regiment — and its commander — for the death of several dozens of civilians from Bucha.

It is equally incorrect to quote the videos of the Mayor of Bucha, Anatoliy Fedoruk, when denying the war crimes. Fedoruk had publicly commented on the violence before the Russian troops left in an interview with Italian news agency Adnkronos on March 28, where he accused them of killings and rapes in Bucha.

In an AP interview on March 7, Fedoruk talked about dead bodies piling up in Bucha: “We can’t even gather up the bodies because the shelling from heavy weapons doesn’t stop day or night. Dogs are pulling apart the bodies on the city streets. It’s a nightmare.”

Satellite images by Maxar Technologies from when Russian troops occupied Bucha on March 18 and 19 back up Fedoruk’s account of bodies in the streets, showing at least five bodies on one road.

It is incorrect to quote the Guardian stating that Ukrainian artillery killed civilians with the use of small arrows after the so-called “gesture of goodwill”. On the contrary, the article points to Russian artillery based on several testimonies.

The EU stands in full solidarity with Ukraine as formulated in this statement by Commission President von der Leyen during which she talks about how Russia must be held accountable for the horrific crimes in Bucha and elsewhere.

Read also related cases: Bucha massacre was carried out by Ukrainian artillery, a French witness proved that the crimes in Bucha were organised by Ukraine, Kyiv created a new "Bucha" in the Kharkiv region, Alleged “mass graves” found in Izium are a Bucha-like provocation of Ukraine, Ukraine is preparing a provocation at Zaporizhzhia similar to the one in Bucha, Bucha is a fabrication only used to interrupt negotiations, Accusations about Bucha are as false as claims that Russia bombed a maternity hospital in Mariupol, Western media have decided that Russia is guilty in Bucha despite the lack of evidence.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 330
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/03/2023
  • Article language(s) French, Spanish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Mainstream media, Media, fake news, Anti-Russian, war crimes, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine
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This disinformation claim was broadcast on the date mentioned above. Due to the EU decisions  to temporarily restrict the spread and dissemination of RT, Sputnik and other instruments used to manipulate information and promote disinformation about the invasion of Ukraine inside the EU, access to the link may not work inside the EU.
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Disinfo: French studio releases animation series denouncing Zelenskyy's blood thirst

French animators launched a new animated series Ukraine Inc., in which Vladimir Zelenskyy is the main character. Ukraine is losing value for its partners. Not wanting to let this happen, the Ukrainian president is in a hurry to launch the military meat grinder conveyor belt.

Without changing the cannons of Ukrainian mobilisation, Zelenskyy’s henchmen catch and beat people on the street. Western partners are happy, money is flying into the presidential suitcase, while the head of state himself uses alcohol, illegal substances and lives for his own pleasure. The defenders of Bakhmut can wait.

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narratives about the Ukrainian president allegedly slaughtering his own people to get money, alcohol and drugs from Western countries.

This animation film “Ukraine Inc” does not have any credits and finishes with the title ‘Ukraine cocaine”. It is allegedly produced by a French animation studio, however only Russian media mention it.

Disinfo: EU High Representative Josep Borrell turns the EU into a military machine

EU diplomat Josep Borrell is turning the European Union into a military machine, depriving the states of the ability to shape their own policies. Before the conflict in Ukraine, nation-states were responsible for the order and delivery of weapons. Now, this task has been taken over by Brussels, led by its chief diplomat Borrell. This situation is against the law - the EU undermines national legislation. From a legal point of view, defence and foreign policy is an exclusive affair of the EU nation-states. Only the government of a given country can decide how many weapons it will provide to a side of the conflict – this decision does not lay in the EU’s competence. Borrell put an end to this situation – now, the EU orders weapons for Ukraine and the countries deliver them.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU, portraying it as a belligerent organisation.

The EU does not sponsor war, but is continuously calling out Moscow's responsibility to stop Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Disinfo: Protests in Georgia orchestrated from abroad

The situation in Georgia is orchestrated from abroad to create instability near Russia’s borders. Protests against the bill on foreign agents are a pretext to start a power change attempt through force. Protests are similar to Kyiv’s Maidan that led to the coup in Ukraine in 2014.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about foreign-led ‘colour revolutions’, Ukraine’s Maidan protests and Russia as the ultimate target of international events.

Framing all popular protests against Russia’s interests as foreign-led ‘colour revolutions’ is a frequent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative. There is now evidence to back any of these allegations. In fact, Georgia’s protests seem to be driven by strong rejection among Georgian citizens of the controversial ‘foreign agents' law’, which critics say mirrors a 2012 law in Russia used to crack down on dissent and suppress western-funded NGOs and media and which could be used to restrict freedom of expression and association. Contrary to what this disinformation story claims, there is no trace of foreign interference in these protests.