FLASHBACK – Putin starting the war: What He Said and What It Really Means
This article was originally published on 24 February, 2022. A note to the reader three years on:
In the early morning of February 24, 2022, Putin started the full-scale invasion of Ukraine with a speech seeped in lies. Disinformation about a “limited special military operation” in “self-defence” against a supposed “Nazi Ukraine” – and NATO – paved the way for Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, fuelling atrocities, war crimes and destruction.
This text aimed to help navigate the Kremlin’s deceptive newspeak and reveal the actual meaning of Putin’s words.
Three years on, the Kremlin is still using the same newspeak to subjugate Ukraine and fundamentally undermine the European security architecture.
We are republishing this text with conviction, that seeing through the Kremlin’s lies has never been more important. Don’t be Deceived.
EUvsDisinfo, 24 February 2025
The main messages in president Putin’s speech broadcast on 24 February AM, with which he began an open invasion into Ukraine.
Mr.Putin’s address, like many before was seeped in disinformation narratives, all in the effort to mobilise support for armed aggression against a democratic and peaceful country.
This is a brief look at what he said and what it really means
| Putin’s manipulative and deceptive Newspeak: | What he really means: |
| “Self-defence of Russia” | Attack and invasion of a sovereign state which does not pose any threat |
| “Limited military operation” | All-out attack. Missile strikes, air and land invasion
Civilian targets, cities and infrastructure included. |
| “No occupation” | Intent to occupy as much as possible, as long as necessary. Place Ukraine under Moscow’s control. Indefinitely. |
| “De-nazification of Ukraine” | Stalinist-type repression of elected, legitimate officials of a sovereign country. |
| “Holding election for a new government” | Gun-point fake-democracy to place Kremlin-loyal puppets in power. |
