DISINFO: Russia is fighting NATO troops in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Russia is fighting against NATO and this is not just a game.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets alleging that NATO is directly involved in Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. This is also an attempt to justify the Russian military failures and downplay the role of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Only the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fighting the Russian invaders. NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel Russia’s unprovoked aggression, but there is no direct NATO involvement in fighting. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front or leading Ukrainian units. The Ukrainian counter-offensive is led by the Ukrainian military and political leadership. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said in September 2022: "No, NATO is not at war with Russia. I have to be very clear about that. <...> If Russia would attack one of our allies, then it is absolutely clear, and we make that as clear as we can to Russia, that we would defend every inch of allied territory. Then Russia and NATO will be in a conflict. But until that moment, NATO is not at war with Russia."
The US, the EU and NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine.
See similar cases that claiming that Russia is at war with NATO and the Pentagon and only the soldiers are Ukrainians; that NATO is at war with Russia with the hands of Ukrainians; that NATO was turning Ukraine into an enemy of Russia; that NATO has no interest in peace in Ukraine; and that the West is using Ukrainians to fight Russia in Ukraine.