Disinfo: ‘Izyum atrocities’ staged by Ukraine through controlled media

Summary

Ukrainians were inviting journalists and photographers from controlled media to Izyum to produce fake reports. It was all so predicted and expected that hardly anyone would be surprised in Russia or astonished in Europe.

Disproof

The material and links may contain distressing/graphic content.

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets denying Russia's involvement in atrocities during its war of aggression against Ukraine.

In reality, there is ample evidence of Russian involvement in mass killings and torture of civilians during the Russian occupation of the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum and surrounding places. Local residents have told reporters about life under Russian occupation. Hundreds of dead bodies have been found in Kharkiv Oblast, some with hands tied, which indicate the killing of prisoners. Bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were found among civilians.

After information about Russia’s actions was made public, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned these atrocities and said that “there is no peace without justice”. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a tweet:

“Reports of a mass grave with 440 men, women, and children in Izyum, Ukraine are heartbreaking and should galvanize our support to the brave Ukrainians seeking to liberate their homeland. We stand with Ukraine in pursuing accountability for these crimes.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian troops did in Izyum what they had done in Bucha. Hundreds of dead bodies with signs of torture were found in Bucha and surrounding towns in Kyiv Oblast. A lot of mass graves were discovered there. Some bodies were scattered around the streets after Russian troops withdrew from there in April. New bodies are being discovered up to now.

See more debunked disinformation cases on war crimes of Russia in Ukraine, including in Bucha and Mariupol.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 309
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/09/2022
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Invasion of Ukraine, war crimes
see more

Disinfo: Kyiv can pay for military assistance from the West with its territories

Kyiv can pay for military assistance from the West with its territories. Columnist Pablo Jofre Leal wrote about this in an article for the Spanish edition of Rebelion. He noted that Ukraine agreed to help the West under Lend-Lease, thereby putting its own sovereignty at risk.

Disproof

Recurring the pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative targeting the sovereignty of Ukraine and international support for Kyiv during the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world with Russia as the key exception. Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity have been violated by continuous acts of aggression by Russian armed forces since 2014 and culminated in an aggressive attack on a neighbouring country on February 24, 2022.

Disinfo: Zelenskyy intimidates Crimean civilians by terrorist attacks

It is odd that Ukraine is seeking some security guarantees while actively carrying out terrorism in Crimea. These are subversive activities. Zelenskyy has openly threatened Russian residents in Crimea that terrorist attacks could happen at any time.

Disproof

Some links may contain graphic content.

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of war crimes and aiming to deflect attention away from the actions of the Russian army. The claim was made in the context of the Russian unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.

Disinfo: If the West wants to assist Russia and China, they should add more sanctions

It should be understood that sanctions have benefited Russia and harmed Europe and the United States. If the West wants to help Russia and China and harm the United States, let them add more sanctions.

Disproof

This is an old and recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative stating that sanctions would benefit Russia while hurting the West, repurposed to serve in the context of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The EU and other countries around the world adopted several sanction packages against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Not all trades restrictions are yet enforced as the energy sector needs longer transition periods, so it is too early to assess the full effect of the sanctions. However, it is incorrect to state that Russian economy would be barely affected or would even benefit from the sanctions. Otherwise, the Russian leadership would not feel the need to constantly demand the sanctions be removed.