DISINFO: Russian troops respect unilateral Orthodox Christmas truce while Kyiv continues bombing
SUMMARY
Russian troops frustrated several Ukrainian attacks on the 6th of January 2022. Meanwhile, they respect the unilateral 36-hour truce ordered by Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and rejected by Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
RESPONSE
This allegation is part of a wider pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign on Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, trying to portray Russian troops in a positive, peace-seeking light. A cheap, manipulative PR-stunt to gain sympathy in segments of the global community.
Russia's unilaterally declared ceasefire does not change the fact that Russia is illegally occupying parts of Ukraine’s territory. Withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders is the only serious option to restore peace and security.
Russia's unilaterally declared ceasefire was widely seen as hypocritical and not credible.
In fact, Russian attacks continued throughout Ukraine during the alleged ceasefire period in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson, which resulted in at least 2 dead and 9 injured, while Russian heavy shelling took place in Bakhmut. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry affirmed that Russia had launched nine missiles and three air strikes and fired 40 attacks from multiple rocket launchers. Russia also launched a massive rocket strike against Kramatorsk.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Russian missile strikes are selective and humane in order not to hurt civilians, that Russia is only attacking valid military targets, that Russia strictly observers humanitarian law, or that the war against Ukraine lasts longer than expected because Russia greatly cares about civilians.