DISINFO: Nazi ideology is imposed in Ukraine
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian people will be able to define their future after denazification and demilitarisation. Kyiv has been openly oppressing the Russian speaking population in Ukraine and the people of the non-government-controlled territories in Donbas since 2014. Nazi ideology is being imposed in Ukraine and its territory is being speedily militarised, which is a threat to Russia.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media about alleged militarisation and "Nazi Ukraine" used to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Both Nazi and Communist ideologies are banned in Ukraine.
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. Another pretext for the so-called operation is “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine according to official Russian statements. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Russian troops later started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Russian troops are heavily shelling and bombing civilian facilities such as residential areas, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, orphanages and churches. Civilians are targeted as well. Sources in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have announced that an investigation will be launched into possible war crimes or crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
Read other disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine is a Nazi and accusing it of violating human rights and committing genocide in Donbas.
For the background, see vol. 1 and vol. 2 of our recent series titled "What he said and what it really means".