Disinfo: The American invasion of Ukraine publicly depicted as a Russian invasion

Summary

We are now assisting in the falsification of history in Ukraine. The US is essentially invading Ukraine, while publically shouting about a Russian invasion. The conflict caused by Washington, but the Americains try to attribute it to Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the war in Ukraine, alleging that the West, in this case the US, has invaded Ukraine.

These disinformation messages have recently intesified in the context of renewed Russian military build-up along the Ukrainian border towards the end of 2021. Their aim is to both justify and distract from Russia's increasingly aggressive foreign policy. See our recent article the Current Russia-Ukraine Conflict – Seven Myths Debunked.

The US has never invaded Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces since February 2014 and there is irrefutable evidence of direct and ongoing Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine since then. The involvement of Russian personnel and equipment has been well documented for years and includes firing artillery over the border into Ukraine, the deployment of armoured vehicles and troops in contested provinces of Eastern Ukraine, the use of non-state actors such as Russian private military companies, and the launching of thousands of cyber attacks against Ukrainian targets.

The European Union has stated that it will be standing firmly and decisively with Ukraine in front of any attempt to undermine its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and has warned of severe political consequences and with a high political and economic cost for Russia if it proceeds with further aggressive actions.

At the beginning of 2022, on 4-6 January, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell visited Ukraine, including Kyiv and the Stanytsya Luhanska checkpoint - see his statement/blog here on the consequences of the war. The High Representative said, inter alia:

“I could eyewitness the consequences of the war in the Donbas region and hear and see how the conflict has dramatically affected the lives of thousands of people, with many destinies destroyed. ...

Russia is a party to this conflict and not a mediator as it often claims. Our main interest, concern and purpose is to get Russia to de-escalate tensions.”

Read similar cases claiming that The West is provoking a war against Russia, that Russian aggression is used as a pretext to station NATO military close to Russia's borders and that Russia is not a threat to Ukraine and is not involved in the war in Ukraine.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 270
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20/01/2022
  • Article language(s) Russian, English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, US, Russia
  • Keywords: War in Ukraine, Eastern Ukraine, West
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Disinfo: Foreign actors were directly involved in the Kazakh protests

The Kazakh leader stated that foreign parties were directly involved in the protests, but it is not yet clear which forces were responsible

Disproof

A disinformation claim about January 2022 protests in Kazakhstan.

The pro-Kremlin media frequently falsely portray popular protests around the world as instigated from abroad, often by the US and the West. The disinformation narrative has been applied, among others, to reports about protests in Georgia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Belarus, Venezuela, Slovakia, Hong Kong, with the aim of portraying protest movements as aggressive actors who constantly prepare new coups.

Disinfo: Poland artificially escalates the situation on the Belarusian border

The Polish functionaries continue to implement provocative actions [on the Belarusian border] and to spread false information [about the migration crisis]. Poland is trying to artificially escalate tensions and create the illusion of fighting with hybrid threats.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the migration situation on the EU-Belarus borders. The claim that Poland aggravates the situation on the border with Belarus in order to fight with Belarus and reach its domestic goals is ungrounded.

According to the position of the Polish authorities, the ongoing situation on the Belarusian border is a hybrid attack on Poland in order to destabilise the country and the entire EU.

Disinfo: Attacks in Kazakhstan were carried out by foreigners

Foreigners and militants who have gained experience in foreign countries and "hot spots", participated in the attacks that took place in Kazakhstan in early January ... Thus, we are talking about an attack by international terrorist gangs that underwent training abroad.

Disproof

A disinformation claim provided with no evidence. The claim was neither critically challenged nor counterbalanced in the article.

The pro-Kremlin media frequently falsely portray popular protests around the world as instigated from abroad, often by the US and the rest of the West. The disinformation narrative has been applied, among others, to reports about protests in Georgia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Belarus, Venezuela, Slovakia, Hong Kong, with the aim of portraying protest movements as aggressive initiatives used for constantly preparing coups.