**The myth of "denazification"**: facts against propaganda
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in 2019 with more than 73% of the votes in the second round — this is a documented result.
- Zelensky is a Russian-speaking politician of Jewish descent, part of his family perished in the Holocaust, which makes the thesis of 'Nazi power' absurd.
- Ultra-right parties in Ukraine systematically do not pass into parliament, lacking real electoral support.
- The term 'denazification' has been used by the Russian leadership as a propaganda justification for the aggression condemned by UN General Assembly resolution ES-11/1 (141 votes in favor).
One of the key slogans that the leadership of the Russian Federation used to justify the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the so-called 'denazification.' This term was presented in official statements as the goal of the military operation. However, upon fact-checking — the composition of power, election results, and the structure of the political field in Ukraine — the accusation of 'Nazism' finds no confirmation. Let's analyze it in substance.
What did the term 'denazification' mean in the rhetoric of the RF
The historical concept of 'denazification' refers to the post-war program of the Allies in Germany after 1945: the removal of the Nazi party, its ideology, and structures from government. The application of this word to sovereign Ukraine in the 21st century, where no Nazi party is in power, represents a substitution of concepts. The term was chosen not as a description of reality, but as an emotional label appealing to the memory of World War II.
The use of a historically loaded term without factual basis is a characteristic tactic of information warfare — transferring heavy associations from the past onto a contemporary opponent.
Who leads Ukraine: facts about the president
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in the 2019 elections. In the second round, he received over 73% of the votes — one of the most convincing results in the history of Ukrainian presidential elections. This data is recorded by the Central Election Commission of Ukraine and confirmed by international observers, including OSCE missions.
- Zelensky is an ethnic Jew and a Russian-speaking person who grew up in Kryvyi Rih.
- Part of his family perished during the Holocaust; his grandfather fought against Nazi Germany in the Red Army.
- Before entering politics, he was a well-known actor and producer, working in Russian among other languages.
The statement that the country is led by a "Nazi regime" directly contradicts the biography and background of its democratically elected president.
The far-right in Ukrainian politics: real weight
Supporters of the thesis of 'Nazism' often refer to the existence of far-right movements in Ukraine. Radical parties do exist — as in most European countries — but their electoral results are extremely low.
In parliamentary elections, the united lists of Ukrainian nationalist parties consistently failed to overcome the electoral threshold and did not receive independent representation in the Verkhovna Rada. This fundamentally distinguishes Ukraine from a number of countries where right-populist and far-right forces enter parliaments with double-digit percentages. In other words, Ukrainian society rejects radical forces at the polls rather than bringing them to power.
What real power looks like in Ukraine
The composition of the government, parliamentary majority, and presidential administration of Ukraine has been formed around centrist and pro-European forces. The presidential party that won the 2019 elections ran on a platform of peace, anti-corruption, and Eurointegration, rather than a nationalist ideology.
This can be verified by open data: voting results, official biographies of ministers and deputies, and party program documents. None of these sources confirm the existence of a 'Nazi' ideology as state policy.
International assessment: aggression, not 'liberation'
On March 2, 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution ES-11/1, which condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanded the immediate withdrawal of troops. 141 countries voted in favor. The resolution classified the actions of the Russian Federation as aggression against a sovereign state, rather than a response to any 'Nazi threat.'
The International Criminal Court (ICC) subsequently began an investigation into the situation in Ukraine and issued warrants related to crimes committed during the war. No international body has recognized the validity of the thesis of 'denazification' as a reason for the invasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that the president of Ukraine is linked to Nazism?
No. Volodymyr Zelensky is a Russian-speaking politician of Jewish descent, part of his family perished in the Holocaust. He was elected with more than 73% of the votes in the second round in 2019. The accusation has no factual basis.
Are there far-right forces in Ukraine?
There are radical movements, as in most European countries, but they systematically do not pass in elections to parliament and have no real influence on state policy.
Where did the term 'denazification' come from?
It was used by the Russian leadership as a propaganda justification for the 2022 invasion. Historically, the term refers to post-war Germany and has no relation to modern Ukraine.
How did the international community assess the invasion?
The UN General Assembly condemned the aggression of the Russian Federation with resolution ES-11/1 (141 votes in favor) and demanded the withdrawal of troops. The ICC has begun an investigation into war crimes.
Sources: UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 (un.org), International Criminal Court (icc-cpi.int), OSCE/ODIHR on elections (osce.org), Central Election Commission of Ukraine (cvk.gov.ua).
The material is informational and analytical in nature and is based on data from official international organizations. The figures are provided with references to sources. Updated: July 6, 2026. Edited by MegaInet.art.
