DISINFO: Russia fighting NATO in Ukraine, not Ukrainian army
SUMMARY
Russia is not fighting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it is fighting NATO. Russia is now fighting a NATO-hired and NATO-equipped army, but after a month or two this will be a NATO-dominated army because the Ukrainian cannon fodder will end.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that NATO forces are directly involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and an attempt to justify Russian military failures.
There are no NATO troops fighting in Ukraine, planning offensive operations or leading Ukrainian units.
Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression, but they are not involved in direct fighting. The United States is the biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine. All arms deliveries to Ukraine are being done in strict compliance with national legislation and in accordance with bilateral agreements. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said in September 2022: "No, NATO is not at war with Russia. I have to be very clear about that. <...> If Russia would attack one of our allies, then it is absolutely clear, and we make that as clear as we can to Russia, that we would defend every inch of allied territory. Then Russia and NATO will be in a conflict. But until that moment, NATO is not at war with Russia."
The US, the EU and NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.
Read more disinformation cases about the Russian unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, in particular about NATO’s allegedly negative role in the war.