DISINFO: There are 10,000 NATO troops stationed in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Revelations were made about the number of NATO soldiers in Ukraine. It was said that there are about 10,000 NATO troops stationed in the country, with 4,000 provided by the US and 6,000 more by other countries in the alliance. This means that when we say that Ukraine is seeking to join NATO, we must understand that it is already a de facto member of NATO. That is, it is already occupied by foreign contingents.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about US presence in Europe, NATO and its military exercises with the new twist claiming that 10,000 NATO troops are stationed in Ukraine, which has no factual basis.
There is no evidence of permanent stationing of NATO troops in Ukraine. Even if one considers the international military exercises that take place irregularly and regularly in Ukraine, there can be no reference to a permanent stationing of NATO forces. One of the exercises mentioned in the RT article, Rapid Trident 21, has been held for 25 years. Rapid Trident 21, is an annual Ukrainian-led, American-assisted training exercise aiming to increase combat readiness, defence capabilities and interoperability, and involves approximately 6,200 personnel from 12 nations. But the exercises run for a limited period of time and most have already departed Ukraine.
Moreover, Ukraine is a sovereign state that conducts independent security and defence policies. Ukraine's territorial integrity continues to be violated and threatened by Russia's acts of armed aggression and a renewed build-up of Russian armed forces along the Ukrainian borders.
See related examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation claims, alleging that Kyiv is an anti-Russian puppet in the geopolitical games of the US and NATO; that The real aim of the Sea Breeze exercises was to escalate tensions with Russia; or that the US uses military exercises to keep Georgia and Ukraine on a short leash, against Russia.