DISINFO: De-escalation mechanism does not work in Donbas due to Ukraine
SUMMARY
The de-escalation mechanism in Donbas foreseen by the Minsk agreements is not functioning as it was already proven in April when the Ukrainian security forces increased their attacks against Donetsk and Luhansk.
RESPONSE
This a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, accusing Kyiv of non-adherence to the 2014 Minsk Agreements and the 2019 Normandy accords.
In reality, Moscow-backed separatists have been mounting tensions in Donbas over the recent weeks under the pretext that Ukrainian troops are planning an offensive. Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed on 26 March 2021, which is the largest daily death toll for government troops since the fragile truce that took effect in July 2020. Nonetheless, Moscow and its proxies in Donbas keep on accusing Kyiv of continually breaking the truce and preparing for a full-scale attack.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, General Ruslan Khomchak, said on 30 March that Russian troops are building up their military presence near the Ukrainian borders, which is a threat to Ukraine’s security, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to fend off a potential Russian attack. The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) issues daily reports about the security situation in the war zone.
Read more pro-Kremlin disinformation reports about Ukraine’s allegedly breaking the truce.