DISINFO: Ukraine blackmails Germany to get new weapons
SUMMARY
Ukraine is trying to get air defence from Germany, scaring Europe with “the worst winter in history.” Ukrainian blackmail has reached a new level. Ukrainian speakers have repeatedly stated that in the coming winter, Russian unmanned aircraft will “finish off” critical infrastructure facilities. All these are simple methods of manipulation that are designed to preserve, or better yet increase, the volume of military assistance to Kyiv from partner countries.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This claim is built around a statement by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba. In an interview with Die Welt, he stated that Russia may once again launch massive missile attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine this winter. In this context, Kuleba noted that for Ukraine, on the eve of winter, it is more important to receive additional air defence systems from Germany rather than the Swedish-German air-launched cruise missile Taurus. The diplomat said that Ukraine, in light of Russian missile attacks, is preparing for “the most terrible winter in history.”
Since October 10, 2022, Russia has launched dozens of targeted missile strikes on the Ukrainian energy system. According to the UN, 42 out of 94 (45%) crucial high-voltage transformers have suffered damage or destruction due to Russian missile attacks. Over half of these transformers have been subjected to repeated attacks, impeding repair efforts. Furthermore, electricity production capacity has been reduced by nearly half. Of the nearly 37 gigawatts (GW) of available capacity, more than 19 GW have been destroyed, damaged or seized by Russia.
The UN continues that, as a result of Russian attacks, the damage to power, gas, heating infrastructure, and coal mining exceeds US$10 billion and is increasing.
Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities under international law can be regarded as war crimes that have no statute of limitations and are subject to the jurisdiction of courts around the world.
See our article "Prepare for winter" examining how Moscow uses the cold seasons to pressure Ukraine.
See other cases in our database: Accusations about Russian military war crimes are unacceptable: a lot of fakes on this topic; The Russian military does not strike civilian infrastructure; Accusations of Russia "shelling the civilian infrastructure are hypocrisy.