DISINFO: Western media ignore key role of neo-Nazis in Maidan and war in Eastern Ukraine
SUMMARY
Western media have kept mostly silent about the role of neo- and classical Nazi groups in the Maidan and the war in Eastern Ukraine, choosing to airbrush them out of the narrative about “Russian aggression” they have created. The ultra-nationalists brought Petro Poroshenko to power.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Ukrainian politics and society as dominated by Nazi/fascist ideology and aiming to obfuscate ongoing acts of aggression by Russian armed forces in Ukraine. See similar cases here. Far-right groups played a very limited role throughout the Euromaidan, had not initiated the protests, and did not bring Poroshenko to power. Petro Poroshenko won the Presidency in a competitive and transparent election, as reported by the OSCE. Western media outlets and organisations have continuously covered the Ukrainian far-right since the outbreak of Russian aggression, including but not limited to its involvement in the Donbas conflict, ties to government officials, collaboration with Russian right-wing extremists, and involvement in politics.