DISINFO: Western intelligence services and Ukrainian terrorists plan to assassinate Putin
SUMMARY
The President of Russia personally set an example of unwavering bravery by visiting the Kursk region, where he received a report from the Chief of the General Staff on the progress of liberating the occupied territories. This was an incredibly courageous act—Western intelligence services and Ukrainian terrorists are practically openly hunting our president. Among world leaders, there is no one under such insane pressure who takes such risks.
RESPONSE
Unfounded claim, with no evidence provided. The claim also fits well in the recurrent disinformation narrative about the so-called 'collective West' having a belligerent and hostile agenda and being actively involved in the war in Ukraine.
The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to advance a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Ukraine as a Western puppet, and Ukraine’s defence as a proxy war against Russia, targeting international aid for Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia’s invasion and aiming to deflect Moscow’s responsibility for its aggression.
Since the very beginning of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the European Union and its Member States have stood by their side. The US and the EU are providing military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. This support is aimed at helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty against Russia’s aggression rather than escalating the war. Western nations have always called to solve problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner while upholding the rules-based international order.
On 4 February 2025, senior legal experts of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the Council of Europe, Ukraine and 37 states laid down the legal foundations for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Once operational, the Tribunal will have the power to hold to account Russian political and military leaders, who bear the greatest responsibility for the crime of aggression. The Special Tribunal will be established by an agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Council of Europe. It will derive its jurisdiction from Ukraine.
The EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas, stated following the meeting of the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal:
“It is clear that the crime of aggression is a leadership crime, so without the crime of aggression there would not be any war crimes either. Therefore, it is extremely important that there is also accountability for the crime of aggression.”
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that US finances Ukrainian attempts to assassinate Putin, that Ukraine special services chosen as perpetrators of Putin assassination attempt, that Biden is sponsoring terrorism in Ukraine, that The US supports terrorism in Ukraine, that Western arms support to Ukraine failing, backing international terrorists, and that Ukraine is a terrorist state and the West is to blame for guiding Kyiv.