Disinfo: Russia only supports the legitimate rights of the Donbas people

Summary

Russia does not threaten anyone, and it does not intend to attack Ukraine or threaten any of its neighbours in any way. All that Russia wants is to preserve the security of its lands and citizens, and to support the legitimate rights of the people of the Donbas region, including 700,000 citizens with Russian citizenship, to preserve their culture, language and belonging to the Russian world, without any infringement on Ukrainian sovereignty, and without even support for the separatist tendencies of those republics.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine implying that Russia is not part of the conflict in Donbas and that Russia has nothing to do with the war in Eastern Ukraine.

There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in the Donbas.

The so-called People's republics DNR and LNR receive humanitarian, financial and military backing from Russia. An InformNapalm study shows that thirty-one weapons systems found in the Donbas entered service with the Russian military between 2004 and 2015 and have never been produced in, or sold to, Ukraine.

Furthermore, Russian-speaking populations are not in need of protection and do not face any existential threats like is often portrayed in pro-Kremlin media. Ukraine is committed to a peaceful settlement in Crimea and Donbas and acts strictly in compliance with the 2014 Minsk Agreements. It is the Moscow-backed separatists who systematically violate basic human rights in the region.

In 2019, Russia started a massive passportisation campaign in the occupied territories of Ukrainian Donbas, with the aim of repeating a Crimea-like scenario, when it portrayed the bearers of Russian passports as purported victims of aggression, so it had to interfere and save them from Ukrainian 'nationalists'.

On 21 February 2022, in violation of international law, President Putin recognised the independence of two breakaway regions of Ukraine and ordered Russian forces to perform so-called 'peacekeeping' functions: in fact another invasion of Ukraine. Several countries, including the EU, have introduced sanctions against Russia in response to the move.

Read related stories: Russia is not an aggressor or occupier in Donbas, Syria, South Ossetia; Russia is not an aggressor in case of Crimea; Ukraine started the war in Donbas, it is an aggressor.

Go to search

publication/media

rtarab.com (Archived)
arabic.rt.com (Archived)
menkuwait.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 272
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13/02/2022
  • Article language(s) Arabic
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Donbas, War in Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood, Eastern Ukraine
see more

Disinfo: NATO has no interest in peace in Ukraine

NATO has no interest in peace in Ukraine, and all that the West is doing is using Ukraine only to ensure the so-called containment of Russia, undermining its defence capabilities and economic development.

Feb 12, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claims about NATO and the war in Ukraine.

These claims are part of an ongoing disinformation campaign about Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine. By claiming that outside forces are the driving force behind the escalation of tensions, this disinformation story aims to deny any Russian responsibility for the situation.

Disinfo: The West continues to accuse Russia of “massing troops” near the Ukrainian border

The West continues to accuse Russia of "amassing troops" near the Ukrainian border and claims that Moscow intends to "invade" its neighbour. Russia has repeatedly stressed that the claims of “invasion” are provocations.

Feb 12, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine and the escalation at the Ukraine-Russia border.

The war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014.

Disinfo: NATO membership is the main security threat for Poland

Poland may face the risk of war with Russia only in one case – if this war starts between NATO and Russia. That is why the period before Poland joined NATO in 1999 was the only safe time for Poland. It does not have any serious conflicts with Russia, but Poland may be drawn into a war in the interests of America. NATO does not provide Poland with any real security – Poland no longer decides about its relations with its neighbours. If NATO starts an attack, Poland will get hit.

As a NATO member, Poland took part in various American adventures in the most exotic places. Even the weapons of the Polish Army are not defencive, but prepared for military actions in deserts and mountains, where the Americans wage their imperial wars.

Feb 11, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and the US military presence in Europe - it claims that NATO membership is the main security threat for Poland.

NATO is a defensive alliance whose primary aims are to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO is not interested in a conflict with Russia and has, in fact, tried to establish several cooperation mechanisms with this country, which Russia has successively thwarted.