Purpose and Meaning of the Propaganda Thesis
For eight years, the Russian authorities systematically promoted the thesis of a "genocide of the Russian-speaking population of Donbas." This does not reflect reality, but rather prepares Russian society for full-scale war. The narrative served several purposes simultaneously: demonizing the Ukrainian authorities, creating the perception of a constant threat to Russians in Ukraine, and providing a moral justification for aggression.
Fact Check
Independent international organizations recorded the following:
- OHCHR (UN) recorded about 14,000 deaths on both sides of the conflict from 2014 to 2022, of which approximately 3,400 were civilians. No case indicates systematic killing based on language (OHCHR Reports).
- The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Donbas confirmed destruction and shelling, but these were limited to areas controlled by armed formations, not the entire territory with Russian-speaking populations (OSCE SMM Reports).
- Neither Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, nor the International Criminal Court classified the events as genocide (HRW 2022).
Propaganda Mechanisms
- Massive publications in state media and social networks;
- Repetition of terms such as "genocide," "mass killings," "persecution of Russians";
- Emotional stories without verification by independent sources;
- Focus on settlements controlled by Russia-backed formations, ignoring other regions with Russian-speaking populations where there was no shelling.
Legal Substitution and Violations by Russia
- Using the term "genocide" outside internationally recognized criteria constitutes pseudo-legal manipulation (Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948).
- The Rome Statute of the ICC defines genocide as the intentional destruction of a group in whole or in part (Rome Statute).
- Russian aggression violated Art. 2 of the UN Charter — prohibition of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state (UN Charter).
- Violations of International Humanitarian Law — shelling of civilian infrastructure, blocking humanitarian aid, forced relocations (Geneva Conventions and Protocols).
Logical Contradictions
- If "genocide" occurred, independent international courts would have documented it from 2014 to 2022;
- Why were there no shellings in regions with Russian-speaking populations outside the areas controlled by militants?
- Why did Russia not approach the ICC or UN with evidence before 2022?
- Why did real casualties among Russian-speakers mainly occur in militant-controlled zones after Russian intervention?
Actual Goals of the Narrative
- Moral and political justification for the invasion;
- Demonization of Ukraine and creation of an "enemy" image;
- Psychological mobilization of the Russian population;
- Distracting attention from actual aggression and violations of international norms.
Conclusion
The thesis of "genocide of Russian-speakers" is a systematically constructed propaganda tool aimed at preparing for war, morally justifying aggression, and demonizing Ukraine. Facts and international law completely refute this myth.
Main Sources and Materials
- UN HRMMU (2014–2022)
- OSCE SMM
- International Court of Justice
- Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International
- EUvsDisinfo and Atlantic Council DFRLab
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
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Last modified date: 25/11/2025