DISINFO: The CIA supported the growth of Neo-Nazism in Ukraine
SUMMARY
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) historically used Nazis from Ukraine and the Baltic states in the struggles against the Soviet Union. Nothing has changed. Today, Neo-Nazism grow up in Ukraine also with support from the CIA.
RESPONSE
This is part of a broad narrative about Nazism in Ukraine and other post-Soviet states. This claim is also made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
"Nazi" is also a classic Kremlin slur against anybody not supporting Russia. See our article Key Narratives in Pro-Kremlin disinformation: “Nazis” - EUvsDisinfo.
The claim that the Central Intelligence Agency somehow used Nazis or Neo-Nazis against the USSR or modern Russia was presented without any evidence. It can be considered a conspiracy theory.
There is also no growth of Neo-Nazism in Ukraine. In 2015, Ukraine issued a ban on Nazi and Communist ideologies. Generally speaking, far-right groups enjoyed a very limited presence during the Euromaidan itself and had poor results in the 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The "Right Sector" candidate received 0.7% of the vote in the May 2014 presidential elections, and the party received 1.8% of the vote in the October 2014 parliamentary elections. In the 2019 election cycle, far-right candidates fell short of the 5% minimum guaranteeing entry into parliament.
See more similar cases claiming that Ukrainian tanks are decorated with Nazi crosses, that Russia defends Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians from Nazis, or that Ukraine is openly using Nazis in its army.