Myths of Russian propaganda about the war against Ukraine — and what the facts say
- Russian propaganda uses a set of recurring theses, each of which is refuted by verifiable facts.
- "Denazification", "protection of Russian speakers", "NATO threat" — have no factual basis.
- The responsibility for unleashing the war lies with the leadership of Russia, which made the decision to invade.
- Below is an analysis of key myths and what documents and international institutions say.
Information warfare is part of aggression. Let's examine the most common myths and compare them with facts from authoritative sources.
Myth 1: "Nazis are in power in Ukraine"
Fact: President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in 2019 with over 73% of the votes, he is Russian-speaking and of Jewish descent. Far-right parties do not enter parliament. The accusation of 'Nazism' is not supported by the composition of the government or the election results.
Myth 2: "Russia is protecting Russian speakers from genocide"
Fact: The OSCE monitoring mission in Donbas did not record signs of genocide. The Russian language is widely used throughout Ukraine. The International Court of Justice pointed to the lack of evidence of 'genocide'.
Myth 3: "NATO forced Ukraine to attack"
Fact: NATO is a defensive alliance, Ukraine was not a member in 2022 and had no plans to join. The decision to invade was made by the Russian leadership. NATO's expansion was a consequence of the war, not its cause: Finland joined in 2023, Sweden in 2024.
Myth 4: "This is a civil conflict, not a war of Russia"
Fact: The armed forces of Russia crossed the internationally recognized border of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This is interstate aggression, as confirmed by the UN General Assembly with 141 votes.
Myth 5: "The West unleashed the war"
Fact: The order to begin the "special military operation" was given by the President of Russia. No state has attacked Russia. The responsibility for unleashing the war lies with the one who initiated the invasion.
Myth 6: "Reports of crimes are staged"
Fact: The events in Bucha and other places are confirmed by satellite images, testimonies, and international experts. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the deportation of children — this is the result of an investigation, not a "staging."
How to distinguish facts from propaganda
- Check the primary source: official documents from the UN, ICC, and human rights organizations.
- Look for evidence — images, expert opinions, testimonies, not just emotional claims.
- Cross-reference multiple independent sources.
- Pay attention to the substitution of concepts and accusations without evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that there is a 'Nazi regime' in Ukraine?
No. The president was elected democratically with a large majority, the far-right is not represented in parliament.
Was there a 'genocide of Russian speakers'?
International observers did not record such facts; the International Court of the UN pointed to the lack of evidence.
Who started the war?
The decision to invade on February 24, 2022, was made by the leadership of Russia; no one attacked Russia.
How to verify information about the war?
Rely on primary sources — documents from the UN, ICC, human rights organizations — and compare independent sources.
Sources: United Nations (un.org), International Court of Justice (icj-cij.org), International Criminal Court (icc-cpi.int), OSCE (osce.org), UN Human Rights Office (ohchr.org).
The material is informational and analytical in nature and is based on data from official international organizations. Updated: July 4, 2026. Edited by MegaInet.art.
