Veritas

Myth: Ukraine should capitulate to Russia for peace.

Fact: Capitulating to Russia would not bring peace but would only embolden further aggression and violations of international law. Ukraine has the right to self-determination and sovereignty, and any agreement that forces them to surrender territory or accept Russian control would violate these fundamental principles. Peace can only be achieved when Russia respects Ukraine’s borders and sovereignty, as well as the rights of its people. History shows that appeasing aggressors only leads to more violence, as seen in the Munich Agreement with Nazi Germany in 1938. A true and lasting peace can only be built on respect for international law, sovereignty, and human rights.

Myth: The US should not help Ukraine.

Fact: The United States has a responsibility to help Ukraine, particularly because of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where the US, alongside the UK and Russia, guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine directly violates this agreement, and the US has a moral and legal obligation to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal with the understanding that it would be protected from external threats, making US support not only a matter of international security but also a commitment to upholding agreements that ensure global stability.

The US has a historical precedent for supporting nations in need. Just as France supported the United States during the War for Independence, the US supported France during the WWII, showing a historical example of allies helping each other.

Myth: Supporting Ukraine provokes World War III.

Fact: This is a false narrative spread by Russian propaganda to intimidate countries from supporting Ukraine. In reality, Russia has already been engaging in acts of sabotage across Europe, such as cyberattacks, election interference, and military provocations, long before any support for Ukraine intensified. Additionally, Russia has repeatedly issued “red lines” threatening escalation if certain actions were taken, but these “lines” have been crossed multiple times without triggering World War III. This shows that Russia’s threats are aimed at intimidating Ukraine’s supporters, not preventing conflict. Supporting Ukraine is about upholding international law, sovereignty, and human rights, not provoking a wider war. Russia’s aggressive actions, not the support for Ukraine, are the true cause of instability.

Myth: Ukraine is thriving during the war, enjoying nightclubs and having fun.

Fact: While it’s true that some Ukrainians continue to engage in social activities, such as going to nightclubs, this is not a reflection of the country “thriving” during the war. Ukrainians, like people in other countries, find ways to cope with stress and maintain a sense of normalcy amid extreme adversity. This is similar to what happened in the UK during World War II, where people would find ways to relax and unwind, even after air raids and bombings. It’s a sign of resilience, not denial of the situation. Ukrainians continue to face daily hardship and uncertainty, and these social activities provide a necessary emotional release in the face of ongoing trauma and destruction caused by the war.

Myth: Ukraine is forcefully mobilizing teenagers and women to fight in the war.

Fact: Ukraine’s military mobilization follows legal procedures, and the recruitment of soldiers is based on the country’s defense needs. While men aged 18-60 are primarily subject to conscription, there is no mass recruitment of teenagers or women for frontline combat. In fact, women in Ukraine can volunteer but are not drafted for combat roles, and those who do serve are typically in medical, logistical, or other support positions. Russian propaganda has falsely exaggerated this claim to discredit Ukraine’s defense efforts. The Ukrainian government has consistently maintained that conscription is done in accordance with the law, and recruitment is focused on able-bodied adults, not minors or women against their will.

Like in any country, Ukrainian police have the legal right to detain men attempting to avoid conscription, which is common in wartime and seen in many nations. For example, during World War II in the UK and the US, people who tried to evade military service were also detained and penalized. Russian propaganda misrepresents this legal process to create false narratives about Ukraine’s military efforts.

Myth: Ukraine is striking its own cities to blame Russia.

Fact: This is a false claim. In 2014, during the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces and their separatist allies regularly struck both Ukrainian-controlled cities and separatist-held territories. For example, Russia’s artillery and airstrikes often targeted Ukrainian cities like Mariupol, while separatists in Donbas also launched attacks on both sides. The idea that Ukraine would intentionally strike its own cities to blame Russia is baseless and ignores the evidence of Russian aggression, which has been well-documented by international observers. Ukraine has consistently been defending its territory, not attacking it.

For instance, on July 8, 2024, Russian forces conducted a missile attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine’s largest pediatric medical center. At 10:42 a.m., a powerful explosion struck the intensive care and therapy departments, causing significant damage and civilian casualties.  Russian propagandists attempted to claim that Ukraine staged the attack, but independent investigations, including those by Bellingcat, identified Russian missiles as the source.  This incident exemplifies Russia’s pattern of disinformation, attempting to attribute their own actions to Ukraine.

Myth: Russia can’t be defeated.

Fact: Russia is not invincible. The Soviet Union, which was the core of Russia’s military strength, relied heavily on Ukrainian soldiers, who made up a significant portion of the Soviet army. Since Ukraine became independent in 1991, it has developed its own military, which is now actively fighting against Russia’s invasion. The absence of Ukrainian forces in the Russian military has weakened Russia’s overall strength. Ukraine’s growing resilience, advanced Western support, and determination show that Russia can be defeated, as it is struggling to maintain its aggression in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance.

For instance, USSR was defeated in Afghanistan in the 1980s by a much smaller, less equipped resistance. Despite the Soviet military’s superior size and technology, they were unable to win and were eventually forced to withdraw. This proves that even powerful military forces can be defeated. Russia, like the Soviet Union before it, has vulnerabilities, and its aggression in Ukraine is facing fierce resistance. Furthermore, Afghanistan wasn’t “nuked” to win, proving that military defeat is possible without resorting to extreme measures.

Myth: Ukraine was always part of Russia.

Fact: Ukraine has a long history as a distinct entity, dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus (9th–13th centuries), which was centered around modern-day Ukraine. Russia, as a political entity, emerged much later, in the 16th century. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was founded in the 5th century and was the center of Kyivan Rus, a powerful state. Moscow, by contrast, was founded in the 12th century, long after Kyiv. 

While parts of Ukraine were under Russian control during various periods, Ukraine has always maintained its unique language, culture, and identity. The myth that Ukraine was always part of Russia is a distortion used in Russian propaganda to deny Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Myth: Ukraine is not a real country.

Fact: Ukraine is a sovereign and internationally recognized country with a rich history, distinct language, and culture. It has been recognized as an independent state since 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and is a member of the United Nations and other international organizations.

Russian propaganda often tries to undermine Ukraine’s legitimacy by claiming it’s not a real country, using the idea of “historical” ties to Russia as justification. However, Ukraine has its own unique history, dating back to the medieval Kyivan Rus and its centuries-long struggle for independence from various empires, including the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Ukrainians have fought for their right to self-determination in numerous uprisings, revolutions, and wars, including the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.

The claim that Ukraine is not a real country is a false and dangerous narrative used by Russia to justify its invasion and territorial claims. Ukraine, like any other nation, has the right to exist as an independent, sovereign state.

Myth: Russians and Ukrainians are the same people.

Fact: While Russians and Ukrainians share some historical roots and cultural elements, they are distinct nations with their own language, culture, and identity. Ukraine has a long history as an independent nation, with its own unique traditions, language (Ukrainian), and cultural heritage, which differ significantly from Russia’s. Ukrainians have their own language, which is not just a dialect of Russian, but a fully developed Slavic language with its own grammar and vocabulary.

Russian propaganda often uses this myth to justify aggression, claiming that Ukrainians are just “Russians” and thus do not deserve independence or sovereignty. However, Ukraine’s identity as a separate nation has been firmly established for centuries. Ukrainians have always fought for their independence, including during the struggles for independence in the early 20th century, the Orange Revolution in 2004, and the Revolution of Dignity in 2014.

The myth of “sameness” is a tool of Russian imperialism, trying to erase Ukraine’s distinct identity and sovereignty. Ukrainians, like all nations, have the right to self-determination and to preserve their unique cultural and national identity.