Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about Russia's involvement in the war in Ukraine.

In fact, in his interview to "Foreign Policy", Mr Hug does not deny Russia's military presence in Ukraine. He actually seems to confirm it: "(...) We have seen convoys leaving and entering Ukraine on dirt roads in the middle of the night, in areas where there is no official crossing. In one border area, we’ve also made this public, including some footage we have put out. We have seen specific types of weapons that we have described in detail, including electronic warfare equipment. We have spoken to prisoners taken by the Ukrainian forces who claim to be members of the Russian armed forces fighting on rotation in Ukraine. We have seen men with the insignia of the Russian Federation, but you can buy this jacket anywhere. We have also seen the insignia of Germany, Spain, and others—but also of the Russians".

In comments that have since been amended by the Foreign Policy, Hug reportedly said that the OSCE had not seen direct evidence of Russian involvement in eastern Ukraine.

On October 27, Hug told the Ukraine Crisis Media Center in an interview that the text published by Foreign Policy of his interview “was misleading and did not reflect his opinion.”

“As you know, we do not conclude on the facts we establish and we do not provide evidence. Estimates, facts speak for themselves,” Hug said.

Further debunking by The insider and the Polygraph.