DISINFO: Russian forces are not attacking civilian targets
SUMMARY
On 1 March, the armed forces of the Russian Federation struck with long-range precision air and naval weapons. Two airfields and three air defence radar stations were hit. Civilian infrastructure and residential buildings were excluded from the attack.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Contrary to these claims there are credible reports of Russian forces indiscriminately bombarding multiple Ukrainian cities. In Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, Russian missiles and rockets have hit an opera house, concert hall and government offices as well as residential buildings. According to local authorities no military units were present in the attacked areas and at least 10 civilians were killed and 35 more were injured only on 1 March (see the previous BBC report).
Amnesty International (in English, in French) is also labelling the situation in Ukraine a humanitarian catastrophe, calling Russian claims of using high precision weapons false.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.