Disinfo: Ukraine mulling over armed provocations in Donbas

Summary

Ukraine is mulling over armed provocations in Donbas. Kyiv is increasing its military presence along the line of contact, where over 150,000 Ukrainian servicemen are deployed.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about war in Ukraine.

There is no evidence to support claims that the Ukrainian military is planning "armed provocations" in non-government controlled areas of Eastern Ukraine.

This claim appeared amid an ongoing disinformation campaign about Russia's military build-up on the Ukrainian border, in an attempt to deflect any Russian responsibility for the situation.

These tensions are a result of Russia’s actions since late October 2021, including the deployment of more than 100,000 troops, as well as of certain specialised military units, electronic warfare systems and heavy-armoured vehicles. This has been substantiated by satellite images and intelligence from the USUkraine and NATO, among other countries and institutions.

Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity have been violated by acts of aggression by Russian armed forces, since February 2014.

Read more about the common myths surrounding the current Russia-Ukraine conflict in our analysis here.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 271
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/01/2022
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Donbas, War in Ukraine, Minsk agreements, Provocation
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Disinfo: NATO has no unity and is on the verge of disintegration

The statement of the President of Croatia on the withdrawal of the country’s military contingent from NATO forces in case the conflict in Ukraine escalates once again proves that the NATO in not united and the Alliance is already on the verge of disintegration.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO.

The article manipulates the recent statement made by Croatian President Zoran Milanović, saying that in the event of an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, he will withdraw the country’s military contingent from NATO forces. However, the deployment of troops is the prerogative of the Croatian Defense Minister, not the President. According to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the comments made by Milanović do not depict the official stance of the Croatian government. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman, Croatia is a loyal member of NATO and its actions are always consulted and agreed on with its allies.

Disinfo: Washington's aggressive policy and Ukrainian crisis are destroying NATO

The Ukrainian crisis, created by the US, could destroy NATO. The irresponsible policy of Washington has created regional wars for decades. In 2014, the US organised a coup in Kyiv. Washington created a zone of military tensions in Europe for its own goals. In the context of this destructive foreign policy of Washington, the existence of an anti-Soviet, anti-Russian and anti-China military alliance has no purpose and is dangerous for Europe.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation narratives claiming that the US was behind Euromaidan in Ukraine in 2014 and presenting NATO as an anti-Russian alliance.

NATO is a defensive alliance, whose primary aims are to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. Moreover, NATO poses no threat to Russia. During the Warsaw summit in July 2016, NATO made it clear that “The Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia”. This was also reaffirmed in the Brussels Summit Communiqué of 14 June 2021.

Disinfo: The US and NATO are baselessly getting hysterical about an imagined Russian invasion of Ukraine

It should be noted that all the hysteria in the US and NATO about the imagined invasion of Ukraine is developing despite the complete absence of any real measures on the part of Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West. This narrative served as part of a disinformation campaign aiming to deflect any Russian responsibility in the escalation of tensions with Ukraine as a result of Russia’s military buildup on the border.

Since late October 2021, Russia has conducted a military-build up along the Ukrainian border, including the deployment of as much as 90,000 troops as well as of specialised military units, electronic warfare systems and heavy-armoured vehicles. Despite Russian denials, this has been proven by satellite images and intelligence of the US, Ukraine and NATO, among other countries and institutions.