DISINFO: US and NATO provoke armed conflict in Donbas
SUMMARY
The growth of the military threat is facilitated by the actions of the United States and NATO in the European region to increase the combat readiness of troops and strengthen the forward presence. The military infrastructure is being modernised, the intensity of operational and combat training is growing, the American concept of "four to thirty" is being implemented.
Nationalist sentiments in Ukraine are heating up, which provokes armed conflict in Donbas, including in areas bordering with Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine, NATO, and Western plans to encircle Russia. By accusing the US and NATO, these narratives aim to deflect any Russian blame for this situation and the events that led to it.
Neither the US nor NATO pushes Ukraine to the escalation in Donbas. This disinformation is used to distract attention from a renewed build-up of Russian armed forces along the Ukrainian borders in April 2021 which has left additional significant Russian heavy armament and equipment near the Ukrainian borders.
NATO's recent activities in Europe related to the military exercises “Defender Europe 2021”, which are “defensive in nature and focused on responding to crisis if necessary”. Neither Defender Europe 2021 nor its other military exercises are directed against Russia. Kyiv’s military preparations in and around Donbas are purely defensive and aimed at repelling a possible Russian attack.
Since the end of March / early April 2021, Russia started to send troops to the Ukrainian border and increased bellicose language in key Russian state media. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has expressed 'severe concern' over Russian military activity near Ukraine's border.
See other similar cases claiming that The escalation in Donbas is part of a US destabilisation pattern in post-Soviet states, that the West pushes Ukraine to the mass destruction of Russians and Ukrainians, and that “Defender Europe 2021” is NATO’s preparation for the war with Russia.