DISINFO: Kyiv ready to launch offensive in Donbas with Biden’s approval
SUMMARY
Kyiv is ready to launch an offensive in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas with US President Joe Biden’s approval. Sources in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office say that the White House has already approved the military scenario, although it has ordered to wait for a signal.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets aiming at deflecting attention away from Russia's direct engagement in the conflict in Ukraine.
The US provides Ukraine with military equipment and trains its soldiers, but does not issue military orders. Since the outbreak of Moscow’s aggression against Kyiv in 2014, the US has supported Ukraine, but there is no direct military US involvement in the Donbas war. The European Union also supports Ukraine, with no direct military assistance.
Ukraine is not planning an offensive in Donbas, fully complying with the 2014 Minsk Agreements. Russia, in turn, supplies its proxies in Donbas with arms, including tanks, and artillery, but denies it officially. Russian military units are also directly involved in the Donbas war. Russian active-duty servicemen have been repeatedly captured by the Ukrainian military in Donbas.
See similar disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine must continue war in Donbas, otherwise it won't receive financial support from the West, and that Ukraine no longer hides preparations for war against Russia and the separatist Donbas region.