DISINFO: Russia is not involved in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine
SUMMARY
Russia is not involved in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. The West and Kyiv have recently created panic around the world with accusations of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has described these allegations as "empty and baseless" and designed to escalate tensions, pointing out that Russia poses no threat to anyone.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that only Ukraine and the two pro-Kremlin illegal separatists territories are warring sides in the Donbas conflict.
The war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014. There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine, in the Donbas. Russia is supporting its proxies with weapons, its active-duty soldiers serve there and its top military commanders visit the war zone to coordinate joint efforts with the separatists.
Moreover, Moscow illegally provides weapons to the separatists. This is a well-known fact, although Russia denies it and accuses the US of selling weapons to Kyiv. Ukraine, on the other hand, does not conceal the military aid it receives because it is legal and transparent.
Read our recent article outlining seven recurrent myths surrounding the Russian military buildup near Ukraine.