DISINFO: US gave ATACMS to Ukrainian Nazis to attack civilians
SUMMARY
ATACMS weapon systems were provided secretly to Ukrainians, according to several US media. The nefarious US hand is always promoting death, as we know that this weaponry in the hands of the Ukrainian Nazis will be used against civilian targets.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazi Ukraine, aiming to undermine popular support for the aid provided to the Ukrainian army for its self-defence against Russia’s brutal aggression. Baselessly framing Ukrainians as “Nazis” -a pro-Kremlin disinformation tactic frequently deployed against its adversaries- has been one of the main disinformation narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets and channels to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by framing it as a “de-Nazification operation”.
This disinformation story is a direct reaction to news about the first confirmed use of ATACMS against Russian forces in Ukraine.
No proof is shown to back the allegation that these weapons will be used against civilian targets. There is no evidence that Ukrainian forces deliberately attack civilians, in contrast to Russia, as human rights organisations and the UN have documented. Ukraine’s donors also work to prevent that weapons are used against civilians. In September 2023 the US established the so-called Conventional Arms Transfers Policy, whose purpose is to track and prevent civilian deaths from US-supplied arms, including in Ukraine.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Ukraine only cares for its Nazi prisoners of war, that a prestigious British journalist claims denazifying Ukraine is fully justified, that Western weapons in Ukraine kill mainly civilians and divert funds from Africa, or that Russian missile strikes only target military facilities in Ukraine.