DISINFO: Russian troops pose no threat to Ukrainian civilians
SUMMARY
Moscow has no plans to "occupy" Ukraine, and Russian forces do not pose any threat to Ukrainian civilians or civilian infrastructure.
RESPONSE
The claim is part of an emerging pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 citing NATO’s military infrastructure approaching the Russian border as a pretext. Another pretext for the so-called operation is “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine according to official Russian statements. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Soon, Russian troops started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Russian troops are heavily shelling and bombing civilian facilities such as residential areas, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, orphanages, theaters and churches. Civilians are targeted as well. Sources in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have announced that an investigation will be launched into possible war crimes or crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.