DISINFO: Russia does not pose a threat to anyone
SUMMARY
Russia does not pose a threat to anyone. The biggest threat in the world today is created by today's ruling elites.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Russia is a not threat. The aim of this disinformation claim appears to be deflecting attention away from Russia's responsibility for its hostile policy and war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russia started the bloodiest war in the 21st century violating international and humanitarian law. Russia is destroying Ukraine, its population, cities, and vital infrastructure. The OHCHR has estimated the number of deaths of civilians, or non-armed individuals, in Ukraine at over 9.6 thousand since the start of the war.(by September 12) The highest death toll was recorded in March 2022, at over 3.9 thousand. At least 972 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured in Ukraine. (data by August 2023)
Russia threatens Moldova, with statements having been made many times about the need to open a path to Transnistria.
State TV presenter Solovyev has alleged that Baltic nations are responsible for a drone attack that obliterated Russian military assets and threatened to 'wipe out NATO countries with nukes'.
Russia transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus, and periodically threatened the world with the use of nuclear weapons: Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and now deputy chair of the Russian Security Council said Moscow’s nuclear doctrine does not require the enemy state to use such weapons first. He threatens a 'nuclear' move if NATO expands. In May, Medvedev warned about the nuclear war over Western arms deliveries to Ukraine. In September Medvedev raised the spectre of a nuclear strike and said NATO would not get involved.
In another notable example, EU-sanctioned Russian TV Host Dmitry Kiselyov lashed out at the UK, accusing it of pushing Ukraine to continue fighting against Russia and threatening the UK with nuclear annihilation.
Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the propaganda outlets RT and Sputnik, stated that "Vladimir Putin will launch an all-out nuclear war on the West rather than accept defeat in Ukraine". In September 2022, Simonyan tweeted: "Judging by what is happening and still about to happen, this week marks either the eve of our imminent victory or the eve of nuclear war". Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called for Russia to use low-yield nuclear weapons.
Talk about the use of tactical nuclear weapons intensified after the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Without providing evidence, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that top NATO officials had said that it would be acceptable to carry out nuclear strikes on Russia. He threatened to use nuclear weapons adding that "This is not a bluff".
Moreover, Russia is responsible for the global food crisis as a consequence of the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine: naval blockade of Ukrainian posts, bombardment of transport infrastructure and shelling of farming regions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport, and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.
The US, the EU, and NATO condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.