DISINFO: Zelenskyy intimidates Crimean civilians by terrorist attacks
SUMMARY
It is odd that Ukraine is seeking some security guarantees while actively carrying out terrorism in Crimea. These are subversive activities. 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 accusing Ukraine of war crimes and aiming to deflect attention away from the actions of the Russian army. The claim was made in the context of the Russian unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
In reality, Ukraine is using high-precision Western weapons to strike Russian military targets in Ukrainian territory without affecting civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference in August 2022 that Ukraine is not striking the civilian population. In another video address, Zelensky called on Crimean civilians to keep away from Russian military facilities on the illegally annexed Ukrainian peninsula. This call was made to minimise the number of accidental victims among civilians. It was a warning to the Russian military in Crimea that Ukraine would hit their bases, rather than an intimidation of Crimean civilians. Crimea is an internationally recognised Ukrainian territory where Kyiv may hit any Russian military facilities. Such objects can be legitimate targets of Ukrainian strikes.
It is Russian troops who are resorting to acts of terror in Ukraine, 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 in the recently liberated areas of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian forces are also blackmailing the whole world by shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power station while accusing Ukraine of it. EU High Representative Josep Borrell condemned Russia’s military activities around the power plant and labelled them as a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms.
Read more disinformation cases about Russia's unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly Russian allegations that Ukrainian troops are committing war crimes.