In the early morning of February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale war against Ukraine with a speech steeped in lies.
We republish his words with the clear conviction that it has never been more important to see through the Kremlin's lies, so as not to fall into the trap of delusion and disinformation.
The disinformation about a “limited special military operation“ as “self-defense“ against an alleged “Nazi Ukraine“ – and NATO – paved the way for a full-scale war of aggression by Russia, fueling atrocities, war crimes and destruction.
Three years later, Russia continues to spread the same [but also new] untruths, trying to take over Ukraine and fundamentally undermine the European security architecture.
Putin's main narratives in his speech three years ago and what his words really mean (the text is published on euvsdisinfo.eu):
Putin's Manipulative and False Narrative: “Self-Defense [of Russia]“
What he really means: Attack and invasion of sovereign state that poses no threat
„Limited military operation“
What it really means: Full-scale attack. Missile strikes, air and ground invasion. Targets are civilian targets, cities and infrastructure.
„No occupation“
What it really means: Intention to occupy as much territory as possible, for as long as necessary. Ukraine to fall under Moscow's control. Indefinitely.
„Denazification of Ukraine“
What it really means: Stalinist-style repression against legally elected, legitimate rulers of a sovereign state.
„Holding elections for new rulers“
What it really means: Placing Kremlin-loyal puppets in power in Kiev in a fake democracy. With a gun pointed at it.
Since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked full-scale war against Ukraine, nearly 147,000 war crimes by the Russian army have been recorded (the real number is much higher), including the murder of 584 children. Russia has destroyed entire cities in Ukraine, and against this backdrop, Putin's propagandists continue to spread the lie that Russia wants peace.
No, Russia does not want peace, but the complete surrender of Ukraine. Putin does not want Ukraine to be an independent state that would be accepted into the EU and NATO and whose citizens would benefit from the privileges of these organizations such as freedom, security, and a higher standard of living. Putin wants the exact opposite - Ukraine in Russia's sphere of influence.