DISINFO: Ukraine commits acts of terrorism in Crimea to intimidate civilians
SUMMARY
It is odd that Ukraine is seeking some security guarantees while actively engaging in terrorism in Crimea. These are acts of sabotage. Zelenskyy has openly threatened Russian residents in Crimea that terrorist attacks could happen at any time.
RESPONSE
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This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, accusing Ukraine of war crimes, aiming to deflect attention from the actions of the Russian army.
In reality, Ukraine is using high-precision Western weapons to strike Russian military targets in Ukrainian territory without affecting civilians. Crimea is internationally recognised Ukrainian territory where Kyiv may hit any Russian military facilities. Such objects can be legitimate targets of Ukrainian strikes, although Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in explosions there. According to a Ukrainian government report circulated internally, Kyiv is behind three explosions in Crimea. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.
Ukraine does not intimidate civilians in Crimea. Ukrainian forces target only military facilities in the occupied peninsula. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned civilians of possible future strikes and called on them to stay away from military objects to be out of danger.
It is Russian troops who are striking civilian facilities to wreak havoc and intimidate civilians. Russian soldiers have committed numerous war crimes in Bucha and Irpin outside Kyiv, in Mariupol and other Ukrainian places.