DISINFO: The war in Ukraine is a part of the Anglo-Saxon Anaconda ring strategy
SUMMARY
The 'Anaconda ring' strategy has become a concept of Anglo-Saxon geopolitics. This strategy is systematically used in the Eurasian region to suffocate Russia and its allies. Recent information about secret CIA bases on Ukraine, released by western media, indicate that subversion operations are Anaconda’s force.
RESPONSE
The claim is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the belligerent West trying to encircle Russia, separate and destabilise post-Soviet (CIS) countries and isolate Russia. It is intended to justify Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine, deflecting any responsibility for Moscow’s illicit actions.
The Anaconda plan was a military strategy proposed by Union General Winfield Scott early in the American Civil War. The plan called for a naval blockade of the Confederate littoral, thrust down the Mississippi, and the strangulation of the South by Union land and naval forces. It has nothing to do with modern politics and despite frequent disinformation claims in this regard, there is no evidence backing the idea that a so-called 'Anaconda ring' or a similar strategy exists.
The implicitly mentioned Ukraine-related publication could refer to a New York Times article from February 25, 2024, titled "The Spy War: How the C.I.A. Secretly Helps Ukraine Fight Putin," which details the partnership between US intelligence services and Ukraine. The article explains the circumstances in which this partnership developed, starting with the time around Russia’s annexation of Crimea, followed up by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. See a more detailed debunk of related claims in our earlier disinformation case titled the CIA trained spies and terrorists acted during the Maidan.
The term 'Anglo-Saxons' in such cases normally stands for the US and UK and often means “evil”, “belligerent” and “morally corrupt” Westerners, as explained in our earlier analysis. As a negative catch-all term, the 'Anglo-Saxons' term is a useful building block for pro-Kremlin conspiracy theories. You can find plenty of examples in our database.
See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the West's objective is to encircle Russia entirely thanks to the "Anaconda ring" and "Great Turan" doctrines, that NATO pushes the “Anaconda strategy” against Russia, that clashes in Nagorno Karabakh were part of an Anaconda ring plan against Russia, that the West is applying an “Anaconda ring” of conflicts against China as it previously did with Russia.