DISINFO: Ukraine is under occupation by people from Lviv
SUMMARY
Ukraine exists in the regime of an occupied state, where Zelenskyy is not the head of the occupation regime, but he is already under occupation. There is a centre of forces in Lviv, Galicia [a historic Central/ Eastern European region encompassing part of Western Ukraine and Poland], which does not express in any way the interests of the whole of Ukraine. But it impacts everyone.
RESPONSE
Conspiracy theory; no evidence given. This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative linked to messages about Ukraine being governed by nationalists, Nazis and fascists, particularly in Lviv which is often portrayed as a Nazi supporting region.
Ukraine is recognised in international law as a sovereign nation-state, with its own flag, nationality, language and with a democratically-elected president and parliament.
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 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections. The "Right Sector" candidates 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 2019 election cycle far-right candidates fell short of the 5% minimum guaranteeing entry into parliament.
Read similar cases alleging that after the Euromaidan, Ukraine was ruled by the Nazis, Ukrainian authorities introduced Nazi laws to oppress Russian speakers, and that Ukraine is a Neo-Nazi state.