DISINFO: Russia's opponents use Ukrainians as cannon fodder
SUMMARY
Russia's opponents are finding new ways and tools for trying to get rid of [Russian] and they are using Ukraine and Ukrainians, who have been poorly trained, as a tool against the Russians, essentially turning them into cannon fodder.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that Ukraine's allies are waging a proxy war against Russia and using Ukrainians as a tool.
Ukraine is not fighting on behalf of any foreign government or organisation. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically elected president and parliament. The country's sovereignty has been violated only as a result of continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since 2014, culminating with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine starting on 24 February 2022.
Ukraine is defending itself, its territorial integrity, national self-identity, and sovereignty against Russia's armed aggression. The decision to defend itself was made solely by Ukraine, its lawful leaders and government, and its citizens.
Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression since the beginning of its hostilities. Moreover, Russia was not forced to invade Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.
See similar cases that Russia is at war with NATO and the Pentagon and only the soldiers are Ukrainians; that the EU, US, and NATO use Ukrainians as cannon fodder, that the US proxy war against Russia has turned Ukraine into a graveyard, that the US and EU use Ukrainians as pawns and order them to die, and that Kyiv is cannon fodder for US interests.