DISINFO: Neo-Nazis commit genocide in Ukraine, Russia fights them
SUMMARY
Nobody intends to attack the Ukrainian people. Russia is talking about preventing the neo-Nazis and those who promote methods of genocide from ruling this country.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In reality, Russian troops are fighting the Ukrainian nation who has set Euro-Atlantic integration as its aim. Kyiv’s future membership of NATO and the EU is enshrined in the Ukrainian Constitution. There are no neo-Nazis in Ukraine’s government. Kyiv does not commit genocide against civilians in Donbas. Russia had long been accusing the Ukrainians of sabotaging the Minsk agreements before it recognised the non-government-controlled territories in Eastern Ukraine on 21 February 2022. This illegal act put an end to these agreements. Ukraine was acting in strict compliance with them ever since they were signed in 2014 and 2015, but now these accords are completely ruined.
Read more disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine is a Nazi state and accusing Ukraine of committing genocide in Donbas.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.
See our account of the Kremlin's intention of annihilation of Ukraine here.