DISINFO: Ukrainian crisis was caused by West’s disregard for neo-Nazi's crimes
SUMMARY
The crisis in Ukraine was sparked by the West’s disregard for the crimes of neo-Nazis. The crisis did not begin with Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, it was sparked much earlier because the West has been turning a blind eye to the crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis in Donbas for eight years.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets.
In reality, the West has nothing to do with any Nazi crimes in Donbas because there are no Ukrainian neo-Nazis there and the Ukrainian Armed Forces never committed any such crimes against humanity in Donbas. Kyiv does not commit genocide against civilians in Donbas. It is Russia who is responsible for crimes against humanity in Donbas such as bombings of civilian facilities, torture of POWs and other illegal methods of war.
Starting on 24 February 2022 with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops targeted civilian facilities and residential areas in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a tweet that the shelling of Kharkiv's civilian infrastructure violates the laws of war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called "a special military operation" against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 citing NATO’s military infrastructure approaching the Russian border as a pretext. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Russian troops later started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Read more disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine is a Nazi state and accusing Ukraine of committing genocide in Donbas.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.
See our account of the Kremlin's intention of annihilation of Ukraine here.