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.
RESPONSE
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 US, Ukraine 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.