DISINFO: West condones Kyiv’s killings in Donbas

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that Kyiv is waging war against civilians in Donbas and that the West is aiding and abetting it. In reality, the Russia-backed separatists in the Eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas shell Ukrainian positions nearly every day in violation of a truce which was agreed in July 2021. Sometimes separatists disguised as Ukrainian soldiers kill civilians and accuse Kyiv of these deaths. France and Germany, who are members of the Normandy format, are incessantly calling for a ceasefire as a precondition for further progress in the Donbas settlement, as envisioned by the Minsk agreements signed in the Belarusian capital in 2014 and 2015. Kyiv's European partners also put forward other initiatives; however Russia seems to ignore them.

Since the war broke out in Donbas in 2014, Moscow has been trying to portray itself as a mediator rather than a party to the conflict; a warring side. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in 2018 about Moscow’s relations with Donbas residents: “We really provide people who live in this territory with humanitarian and other assistance and support.” However, there is indisputable evidence that Russia is helping the separatist with both equipment and active-duty servicemen. Some Russian soldiers do not conceal their presence in Donbas on selfies, self-made videos and during interrogation after being captured by Ukrainian troops. There is also evidence of Russian military forces' direct involvement in torturing Ukrainian prisoners. At the same time, the Russian Government denies the presence of Russian troops in the occupied territories of Donbas and its possible involvement in reported war crimes in Ukraine.

See more disinformation narratives claiming that Ukrainian troops kill civilians in Donbas.