Ukraine Agency Debunks Russian Propaganda Claims About NATO War Preparations

Russian intelligence services are spreading false claims about NATO deployments along its western borders in what Ukrainian officials describe as a coordinated disinformation campaign designed to justify potential military provocations.

According to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Kremlin-affiliated media outlets have been amplifying statements from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service alleging that “French troops are deploying to Poland.” These reports are accompanied by claims of an expanding NATO military presence in Romania and the Baltic states, suggesting the alliance is “on the brink of escalation.”

Ukrainian officials have debunked these assertions, clarifying that the military activities in question are routine, publicly announced allied exercises rather than preparations for conflict. Analysts at the CCD noted that Russia is deliberately mischaracterizing standard NATO operations to portray them as “preparations for war” – a narrative that could serve to justify Russia’s own aggressive actions in the region.

“The purpose of such disinformation is multifaceted,” a CCD representative explained. “It spreads fear among local populations, undermines trust in defense cooperation among allies, and creates an informational cover for potential Russian provocations along sensitive borders.”

The affected areas include the Polish-Ukrainian, Romanian-Moldovan, and Baltic borders – regions that have become increasingly militarized since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

This latest disinformation push comes amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia. The Western military alliance has strengthened its eastern flank in response to Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, but has consistently maintained that its activities are defensive in nature.

The CCD also highlighted other recent Russian propaganda narratives targeting Ukraine. One such claim involves allegations about the “cancellation of local elections” in Ukraine and the supposed “loss of legitimacy” of the Ukrainian government – assertions promoted by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Ukrainian officials countered this narrative by pointing to Article 19 of Ukraine’s Law on the Legal Regime of Martial Law, which explicitly prohibits holding elections during wartime. The CCD noted that Zakharova deliberately misrepresented an appeal from the Association of Ukrainian Cities, which referred only to elections in Kyiv, not nationwide.

“Russia’s attempt to present a lawful Ukrainian decision as an ‘usurpation of power’ is yet another example of propaganda-driven disinformation,” the CCD stated.

In another example of Russian information manipulation, pro-Kremlin media outlets have been circulating fabricated videos purporting to show pro-Russian protests in Ukraine. These videos allegedly depict Ukrainians demonstrating against the continuation of the war and calling for Russian “assistance.”

The CCD explained that these fabrications repurpose authentic footage from demonstrations held years ago in Ukraine, some dating back more than a decade. The videos have been modified with newly added audio tracks featuring chants about seeking help from Russia.

“The goal of this campaign is to create the illusion of widespread pro-Russian sentiment in Ukraine and to portray the public as allegedly ‘tired of the war,'” the CCD explained. Public opinion polls consistently show strong Ukrainian support for continuing resistance against Russian aggression.

Security experts have long warned about Russia’s sophisticated disinformation operations, which blend traditional propaganda techniques with modern digital manipulation. These campaigns typically intensify before planned military operations, raising concerns about potential escalations along Ukraine’s borders with NATO countries.

Western intelligence agencies continue to monitor these information campaigns closely, as they often serve as indicators of Russia’s strategic intentions in the region.