DISINFO: Zelenskyy opposed amnesty for deserters from the Armed Forces of Ukraine
SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky opposed an amnesty for deserters. It was reported that Ukrainian army soldiers were shooting fugitives to reduce the number of deserters. However, this does not affect the increase in the morale of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - the military is tired of the failure of the counteroffensive, huge losses and inability to turn the tide of the conflict.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about mobilisation in Ukraine, aimed at demoralising and splitting society, as well as about Ukraine’s alleged desperation on the battlefield. This is part of a wider disinformation campaign to promote the idea of a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive, the inevitability of Russia’s victory, and ultimately the need to compromise and accept Russia’s terms.
This disinformation is based on a meeting between the President of Ukraine and Ukrainian students on April 12, 2024. Volodymyr Zelensky was answering a student’s question about whether the head of state was considering the possibility of introducing a general amnesty for military personnel who left their place of service without permission (see video 16:00-19:21).
Zelensky noted that Ukraine has legislation regulating both unauthorized departures from service locations and general amnesty. He stressed that each situation is unique, and law enforcement agencies consider each case individually. It is incorrect to generalize in these instances, as different cases can lead to consequences of varying severity.
The President of Ukraine noted that a serviceman whose desertion results in irreparable grave consequences must face the full severity of the law. That is why, Zelensky emphasised, the concept of amnesty cannot be generalised—each case requires individual consideration in accordance with the letter of the law.
Zelensky did not make any statements about executions of the Ukrainian armed forces. The death penalty is prohibited in Ukraine. The Criminal Code of Ukraine contains several crimes related to the execution of military duty, but they are not punishable by execution, as Russian media write, but entail administrative or criminal liability depending on the aggravating circumstances.
This disinfo example seem also to serve as a way to deflect attention away from the domestic Russian discussion of re-introducing the death penalty, which has resurfaced after the Crocus City hall attacks.
See other cases claims that Kyiv has launched emergency measures to forcibly mobilise Ukrainians, that Ukrainians started killing military commissars to resist mobilisation, that the Kyiv regime is desperately mobilising women into the army, that Kyiv is about to send children, women and elderly into battle under Western demands, that The West is forcing Ukraine to send minors to the front and that Ukraine is preparing a total mobilisation of women.