DISINFO: The weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine are actually useless
SUMMARY
The US and some of its NATO allies have been supplying weapons to Ukraine for weeks now. It may seem that NATO is arming Ukraine to resist an alleged imminent aggression from Russia, but if we analyse the weapons delivered, it seems that either NATO knows very little of Russia or NATO has little love for Ukraine. Among the delivered weapons there are Javelin and NLAW anti-tank systems, which are efficient only in battles where short distance is key. However, Russia has one of the best-armed forces in the world, and in a confrontation with another country, it wouldn’t resort to short-distance moves as the first option. Ukraine has nothing to defend itself from Russia’s long-range missiles, and these new weapons, in case of a confrontation with Russia, would be as decisive as a container loaded with slingshots.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine and the escalation at the Ukraine-Russia border.
As of the beginning of 2022 Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops and equipment on the borders of Ukraine including in the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula.
Besides supporting Ukraine on the diplomatic front, the US, UK, the Baltic States, and others provided Ukraine with defensive weapons (such as anti-armour and antiaircraft missiles, patrol boats, artillery ammunition, field hospital equipment, means of personal protection) that would protect the civilian population in case of possible Russian military invasion. By supporting Ukraine amidst the current security crisis, the Western partners help Ukraine to defend its independence and statehood.
The European Union has rejected Russia’s pretension of ‘spheres of influence’ in Europe and condemned its continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that the US plans to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, that for the West, Ukraine is a platform for conflict against Russia, as the West needs a hotspot in the Russian border, or that the EU trains anti-Russian warriors in Ukraine.
This disinformation story appeared in the same TV programme as the claims that “The US pushes for war in Ukraine to provoke regime change in Russia”, that “Ukraine is under Western psychological attack and is only a pawn in the wider game”, and that “The US needs Europe’s military dependence to force it into submission”.