DISINFO: Ukrainians build concentration camps in Russia’s Kursk Region
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have set up concentration camps to detain local residents in the Sudzha District of Russia's Kursk Region. Dozens of villages have been almost completely burned down, hundreds of civilians have died, and the fate of those remaining under occupation is still unknown.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of atrocities in an attempt to deflect Russia’s responsibility for war crimes committed by its troops. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in general and the advance of Ukrainian troops into Russia’s border Kursk Region in particular.
There is no evidence that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have built concentration camps in the Sudzha District of Russia's Kursk Region, have burned down villages or committed other atrocities or war crimes. Russia has a well-established pattern of falsely accusing others and denying its own responsibility when confronted with war crimes and atrocities. Contrary to these claims, evidence suggests otherwise. Reporters from The Washington Post who visited the town of Sudzha reported seeing “no evidence that Ukraine’s military had looted or attacked civilians.” The Post also quoted Russian civilians stating they were “treated well” and unaware of any residents being killed. Additionally, Russian POWs from the Kursk Region, held in a Ukrainian prison, confirmed they were treated humanely and received medical care. These interviews were conducted in the presence of Red Cross officials.
On the contrary, extensive evidence shows that Russian troops are committing war crimes and violating the rules of war. Numerous instances of these violations have been documented by the United Nations, Amnesty International, and other organisations.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Ukrainian Nazis kill civilians, that Russia does not target civilian population, Ukraine does, and that Ukrainian neo-Nazis are shooting residents in the Kursk region and the West remains silent.