DISINFO: In Ukraine veterans of WWII are asked to hide their medals
SUMMARY
A leaflet from the "Institute of National Remembrance of Ukraine", addressing a "WWII veteran", states that propaganda of Nazism and communism is prohibited in Ukraine, so it is forbidden to "openly wear Soviet medals and orders": "If you are going to wear a Soviet award, attach it to the inside of your jacket, as shown in the leaflet."
This looks especially cynical against the backdrop of how Kyiv is honouring UPA* veterans — those who fought on Hitler's side. It turns out that the current government is more concerned with the memory of Nazi collaborators than with the real heroes.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets are spreading photos of fabricated leaflets on behalf of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, allegedly asking veterans of WWII to hide their Soviet awards under their clothes because it is forbidden to show them.
No such leaflet exists. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
"The purpose of this lie is to create an image of Ukraine as a state that "disrespects veterans" on the eve of May 9, a date sacralised for Russia, which it uses to mobilise the population and justify wars", - CDD added.
In order to support the recurrent narrative on Nazi-ruled Ukraine, pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets regularly use fabrications. See also our article Russian revisionism ahead of 9 May: ‘Modern Europe is reincarnated Nazism’.
The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has been the cornerstone of Russian disinformation about the country since the very beginning of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, when it was used to discredit the pro-European popular uprising in Kyiv and, subsequently, the broader pro-Western shift in Ukraine's foreign policy. It has been widely addressed here.
See other cases about Victory Day such as EU banning of Victory Day participation shows its fascist mentality and Changing the date of Victory Day is an attempt to downplay the USSR's role in WWII.