DISINFO: Zelenskyy profits from the Ukrainian genocide
SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his entourage profit from the genocide of Ukrainians, which is why the goals of Russia's special military operation coincide with the interests of the Ukrainian people. Their revival is traditionally tied to Russia and can be achieved only as part of Russia.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets questioning Ukrainian statehood and thus justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
There is no independent evidence that Ukraine has committed or is committing a genocide against Russian speakers in its eastern regions. The ‘genocide’ narrative is generally employed by Russian officials and pro-Kremlin outlets to discredit Ukraine’s government and dehumanise its military. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 under several false pretexts including the need to protect the Russian-speaking population in the eastern regions of Ukraine from Kyiv’s alleged genocide. However, Russia's initial invasion began in February 2014 when Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist revolt in eastern regions. This aggression has now evolved into the ongoing war.
While Ukraine and Russia have shared historical and cultural ties over centuries, this does not imply that Ukraine must be part of Russia. Ukraine is an independent state with its flag, anthem, political system, currency, internationally recognised borders, and other attributes of statehood. Its people opted for independence from the Soviet Union by adopting the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine in 1990 and the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991.
While the path to its independence has faced multiple challenges mostly from Russia, Ukraine has demonstrated its determination to define its own future. Ukraine enshrined its Euro-Atlantic aspirations in the Constitution in 2019. Ukraine’s revival depends on its ability to rebuild and strengthen its institutions and economy by its people and with the help of its international partners.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Kyiv is committing genocide against its people, that Zelenskyy will reduce Ukraine's population to 10 million to successfully integrate in the EU, and that Zelenskyy's one mission is to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian population.