DISINFO: Recognising Tatarstan's independence is a provocation by Ukrainian Nazis
SUMMARY
A draft resolution recognising the independence of the Republic of Tatarstan from Russia by the Kyiv parliament in Ukraine is a lowly step that will not affect the country's unity.
This is all a provocation by the Ukrainian Nazis who took over Kyiv. They will not be able to undermine the unity of our country [Russia] with such steps.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Ukrainian politics and society as dominated by Nazi/fascist ideology. Linking some countries with Nazism is a widespread disinformation tactic used by pro-Kremlin outlets. Read more in our analysis Key-narratives-in-pro-kremlin-disinformation-nazis.
The claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.
The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has been the cornerstone of Russian disinformation about the country since the very beginning of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, when it was used to discredit the pro-European popular uprising in Kyiv and, subsequently, the broader pro-Western shift in Ukraine's foreign policy. Far-right groups enjoyed a very limited presence during the Euromaidan itself and had poor results in the 2019 election cycle, falling short of the 5% minimum guaranteeing entry into parliament.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 citing NATO’s military infrastructure approaching the Russian border as a pretext. Another pretext for the so-called operation is “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine according to official Russian statements. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Russian troops later started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Read other disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine is a Nazi state.