Disinfo: Ukrainian crisis was caused by West’s disregard for neo-Nazi's crimes

Summary

The crisis in Ukraine was sparked by the West’s disregard for the crimes of neo-Nazis. The crisis did not begin with Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, it was sparked much earlier because the West has been turning a blind eye to the crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis in Donbas for eight years.

Disproof

A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets.

In reality, the West has nothing to do with any Nazi crimes in Donbas because there are no Ukrainian neo-Nazis there and the Ukrainian Armed Forces never committed any such crimes against humanity in Donbas. Kyiv does not commit genocide against civilians in Donbas. It is Russia who is responsible for crimes against humanity in Donbas such as bombings of civilian facilities, torture of POWs and other illegal methods of war.

Starting on 24 February 2022 with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops targeted civilian facilities and residential areas in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the shelling of Kharkiv's civilian infrastructure violates the laws of war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called "a special military operation" against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 citing NATO’s military infrastructure approaching the Russian border as a pretext. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Russian troops later started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.

Read more disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine is a Nazi state and accusing Ukraine of committing genocide in Donbas.

See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.

See our account of the Kremlin's intention of annihilation of Ukraine here.

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tass.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 273
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25/02/2022
  • Article language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: War in Ukraine, Donbas, Genocide
see more

Disinfo: According to Josep Borrell, sanctions are no longer effective

Josep Borrell personally declared two months ago that the European sanctions regime is no longer useful, neither against Russia nor against any other country, and [he said] we must think about finding other mechanisms to make the EU's voice heard internationally.

Feb 24, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about sanctions.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has constantly supported imposing restrictive measures to “intervene where necessary to prevent conflict or respond to emerging or current crises”.

Disinfo: The West is lying when it claims that Russia “invaded” and “attacked” Ukraine

Some lies sold by the West: Russia is “invading”, “attacking” and “launching an offensive”. The Russian “invasion” has become a soap opera in the Western media, fed by the US government that insists that Russia started “a bloody and destructive war”.

Feb 24, 2022
Disproof

Claims that Russian actions in Ukraine are not an “invasion” or an “attack” are an attempt to promote the Kremlin’s disinformation narrative that it is carrying out a "special military operation" to achieve the “denazification and demilitarisation” of Ukraine.

In fact, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on multiple fronts, as footage, foreign correspondents, social media, local journalists and citizen witnesses have proven beyond any doubt. This disinformation narrative aims to frame reports on the Russian invasion as lies to discredit the evidence.

Disinfo: Half of the Poles do not want Poland to support Ukraine

According to various polls, at least half of Polish society does not want Poland to actively support Ukraine against Russia - it is a great embarrassment that the voice of these people is not heard in public discussions. The Polish media and the politicians invited by media spread the same hysterical Russophobic gibberish.

Feb 24, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine and the direct Russian invasion of Ukraine unleashed on 24 February.

The overwhelming majority of the Poles are willing to assist Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invaders. According to the recent surveys, over 95% of the Poles are ready to welcome the Ukrainian refugees; 91% support the EU membership of Ukraine (7.6% - against); 74.5% support NATO membership of Ukraine (13.9% - against).