The Claim(s):
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeated the false claim that Ukraine’s government is controlled by Nazis and that they are “terrorizing” the people of Russia.
The Facts:
The government of Ukraine is democratically elected and unlike many European nations, like Italy, Germany and France, not a single far-right party holds a seat in Ukraine’s parliament.
On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered his armed forces to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has conducted a sustained campaign characterized by widespread attacks on civilian targets, including numerous documented instances of war crimes. These actions have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and caused damage amounting to billions of dollars to infrastructure and property over the course of nearly three years.
Narrative Context:
The tweet by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) exemplifies several core elements of Russian disinformation and propaganda narratives surrounding the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
1. Use of the “Nazi” Label
Referring to Ukrainians as “Nazis” has been a consistent element of Russian state propaganda, invoked to justify the invasion under the pretext of “de-Nazification.” This descriptor attempts to evoke emotional responses and leverage historical trauma associated with Nazism, thereby delegitimizing Ukrainian statehood and dehumanizing Ukrainian citizens and fighters. In reality, there is no substantive evidence that the Ukrainian government or the majority of its people embrace neo-Nazi ideologies.
2. Portrayal of Ukraine as the Aggressor
The tweet inverts the widely documented reality of the conflict, positioning Ukraine as the side that “continues terrorizing the people of Russia.” This narrative ignores the extensive, well-substantiated evidence of Russian forces targeting Ukrainian civilian populations, infrastructure, and cultural sites. Since the beginning of the invasion, independent international organizations, investigative journalists, and human rights groups have documented that the majority of civilian deaths and destruction on Ukrainian soil have resulted from Russian aggression.
The broader aim of this narrative is to bolster Western support for the war, deflect responsibility for documented Russian war crimes in Ukraine, and influence international opinion. By propagating false and unfounded stories of Ukrainian atrocities Russian authorities attempt to muddy the waters, create false equivalencies, and reduce the moral clarity of the situation. If successful, it may erode international support for Ukraine or at least sow doubt, making it harder for third-party observers to discern truth from propaganda.
