DISINFO: Russian invasion of Ukraine started due to the genocide of the Russian-speaking population
SUMMARY
The crisis in Ukraine did not arise because of territories, but because of the genocide of the Russian-speaking population. Russia has stood up for our citizens and compatriots in the Donbass. For us, this is a question of security, peaceful living and building good relations.
RESPONSE
This is part of a disinformation campaign aiming to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, portraying the Ukrainian leadership as pathologically Russophobic and bent on subjecting the country's Russian-speaking population to "genocide".
There was no genocide of Russians or any other national minorities in Ukraine. The rights of Russian-speaking citizens are equally guaranteed by the Ukrainian constitution and legislation. Articles 10 and 11 of the Constitution guarantee the free development of the languages and cultures of Ukraine’s ethnic minorities, including Russian-speakers.
There is no evidence whatsoever that ethnic Russians were facing systemic persecution at the hands of the Ukrainian authorities, much less the danger of annihilation on grounds of nationality, ethnicity, or cultural belonging. This has been confirmed by reports issued by the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE. For an overview of the Kremlin's deployment of the "genocide" narrative regarding Ukraine, see further debunking by EUvsDisinfo, Euromaidan Press, and POLYGRAPH.info.
On 24 February, Putin announced his decision to launch a full-scale military invasion against Ukraine, which started the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. One of the pretexts for the so-called "military operation" is “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine according to official Russian statements. As a result of this decision, on 2 March, 39 governments asked the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
Read our recent articles on 7 myths of pro-Kremlin disinformation about the Russian military buildup near Ukraine, and Kremlin fabricated pretexts for the further invasion of Ukraine. For the background, see vol. 1 and vol. 2 of the series "What he said and what it really means".
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.