Disinfo: Ukrainian language was artificially created by the Soviet Union

Summary

Since the 1920s, the Bolsheviks launched a policy of “Ukrainianisation”. Literary norms of the Ukrainian language (previously considered a dialect of Russian) were developed. Soviet authorities began to introduce Ukrainian in education, culture, and bureaucracy. The Russians living on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR were recorded as “Ukrainians” by nationality.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about Ukraine and the Ukrainian language. Literary norms of the Ukrainian language were developed way earlier than the 1920s. The Ukrainian language is one of the Slavonic languages. It is a lineal descendant of the colloquial language used in the Rus in the 10th-13th centuries. The modern literary Ukrainian emerged out of the spoken language at the end of the 18th century. The starting point of the modern Ukrainian language is the publication of the Ukrainian version of Aeneid by Ukrainian writer Ivan Kotliarevskyy in 1798. In the 19th century, the next generation of writers further developed the Ukrainian language, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. In the 19th century, the Russian empire tried to ban Ukrainian from public use. The 1863 Valuev Circular suspended the publication of religious and educational texts in Ukrainian, pamphlets and books. In 1876, Czar Alexander II issued Ems Ukaz that banned the public use of the Ukrainian language altogether. It is a historical fact that in the 1920s the communist regime started the policy of "Ukrainisation" in Soviet Ukraine which was a part of the all-Union program of "korenization", or indigenization. This policy was an attempt by the communist government to legitimise Soviet rule in Ukraine and to appease the Ukrainian peasantry. The policy was effective: the usage of the Ukrainian language in education and culture was improved; some progress was achieved in bureaucracy; the Ukrainian population of cities and the number of workers doubled. Although the policy of "Ukrainisation" was upheld by some Ukrainian communists, it was opposed by other Bolshevik leaders in Ukraine and, particularly, in Moscow. As a result, in 1931-33 the policy was curtailed. In 1930-1933, the mass repressions against the Ukrainian intelligentsia - writers, scientists, philosophers, clerics, as well as political leaders who were members of the Communist Party of Ukraine - marked the end of "Ukrainisation". Most of them had been deported to concentration camps and executed in 1937-1938. The two most prominent examples are the trial against the Union for the Liberation of Ukraine and the Executed Renaissance. Further debunking by StopFake.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 175
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 07/11/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine
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Disinfo: The US considers the EU as a kind of protectorate

The US has long regarded the EU as a kind of protectorate. The Balkans are used as a “trigger” to set Europe on fire at any time. It is obvious that any attempt by any [European] political leader to present himself as an important actor will be met with discontent in Washington. The US perceives the EU as an association under its military, political and, in part, economic influence. That was also after Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron tried to push through the idea of a European army, which is a thorn in the side of the Americans. The US imposed a military organisation in the form of NATO on Europe, and it does not benefit the EU. The US has such a dominant position and does not want its influence on the EU to diminish. The Balkans are being used for this purpose.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about US presence in Europe, portraying Europe as a vassal of the USA and trying to undermine the sovereignty of Western Europe. Pro-Kremlin disinformation sources often claim that the EU is trying to break out of Washington’s control and occupation and that the US intends to “discipline the EU” from the position of a senior partner. In fact, the EU Member States are sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own security and policies. US/ NATO military presence and support in the EU Member States is possible only on the basis of the clear request/ consent of the hosting nation. The US is an important ally to the EU but EU policy is not determined by the US, as explained by the EU High Representative. Each country, including Albania and North Macedonia, could make their sovereign decision to host NATO/US military forces on their land. NATO membership is open to any European state in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. All NATO members have made sovereign decisions to join the alliance so far. NATO decisions are made by consensus, after discussion and consultation among member countries.

Disinfo: Russia on MH17: Until today, no evidence is provided - only empty claims

Allegations towards Russia in the downing of flight MH17 are groundless. Even to this day, no evidence has been provided – only empty claims. Dutch prosecutors say that an investigation is underway, while Russia has already been asked for compensation. If we ask where the data from Ukrainian radars are, where the airlines’ communications data are, where the American satellite images are, we get no answers. However, Russia still gets the blame.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the downing of flight MH17. Actually, the JIT has provided concrete evidence of Russia's involvement. On the 28th of September 2016, the JIT announced that flight MH17 was shot down by a missile from the 9M38 series, which was launched by a BUK TELAR missile system. The system was transported from the Russian Federation to an agricultural field near the town of Pervomaiskyi in Eastern Ukraine, where the missile was launched. After firing, the system - with 1 missing missile – was transported back to the Russian Federation. On the 24th of May 2018, the JIT announced its conclusion that the BUK TELAR used to shoot down MH17 came from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, a unit of the Russian armed forces from Kursk in the Russian Federation. On the basis of the investigation conducted by the JIT, with the participation of law enforcement agencies from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Ukraine and the Netherlands, the Dutch Public Persecution service will prosecute Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin, Sergey Nikolayevich Dubinskiy, Oleg Yuldashevich Pulatov and Leonid Volodymyrovych Kharchenko for causing the MH17 crash and murdering all 298 persons on board. The Public Prosecution Service alleges that the four individuals cooperated to obtain and deploy the BUK TELAR at the firing location with the aim of shooting down an aircraft. For that reason, they can also be held jointly accountable for downing flight MH17. The JIT conclusions were further corroborated by the Bellingcat Investigation Team. For the full Bellingcat report see here.

Disinfo: Ukraine is governed from outside and doesn't interest anybody

Ukraine does not interest Abromavicius [the general director of the state company Ukroboronprom], it does not interest the people who rule our country from the outside, because they only care about their own interests.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukraine, which they claim is under the external control of the US or EU. It also implies that Ukraine has been abandoned. Ukraine is a sovereign state, not controlled by any foreign government or international organisation. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world, including the EU. The pro-Kremlin media have produced other disinformation claims where they insist Ukraine is under foreign control. Finally, Ukraine is far from abandoned. The EU and the US continue to provide support to Ukraine. Ukraine is regarded as an important partner in economic, financial, political, military and other sectors. See more about Europe's support to Ukraine's defence reform here.