The Essence of the Myth Used to Justify the War
"Ukraine bombed Donbass for eight years," "an offensive was planned for March 2022," "Russian-speakers were killed only for speaking their language" — these phrases were broadcast for seven consecutive years. In February 2022, they became the main "justification" for the full-scale invasion. The myth collapses as soon as one opens OSCE reports and human rights documentation.
OSCE and Human Rights Data
- From 2014 to 2022, the OSCE SMM released thousands of daily reports: most ceasefire violations were recorded in territories not controlled by Kyiv (OSCE SMM Reports).
- Heavy weapons (artillery, tanks, MLRS) were regularly used in residential areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, violating the Minsk agreements (Minsk I and II).
- Attacks on civilian objects and infrastructure were primarily recorded from DPR/LPR positions and Russian forces: HRW (HRW Ukraine), Amnesty International (Amnesty Ukraine).
- Satellite imagery confirms the mass deployment of equipment and preparation for shelling by Russian and DPR/LPR armed formations (Maxar, Planet Labs).
- Geolocation investigations by Bellingcat and CIT documented artillery strike directions mainly from the east and south, not from the western front line.
Questions That Debunk the Myth
- Why did millions of Russian-speakers in Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Kherson remain unharmed until February 2022?
- Why did Mariupol remain peaceful before the full-scale invasion, with destruction only occurring after Russian forces arrived?
- Why were Russian-speaking cities under Ukrainian control not targeted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for eight years?
The answer is clear: the Ukrainian Armed Forces were conducting defensive operations and striking military targets, not civilians.
The Mechanism of Creating a "Picture of Guilt"
Footage of destroyed buildings taken from DPR/LPR-controlled areas was presented as "UAF attacks." Emotional captions were added and repeated across media. Most of these materials (≈90%) were either staged or the result of militants' own shelling.
The Claim of "March 2022 Offensive"
Russian forces concentrated on Ukraine's borders, preparing hundreds of BTGs. Ukraine, at that time, did not mobilize or concentrate forces on the front line. Russia initiated the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Legal Context
- UN Charter, Art. 2(4) — prohibits the use of force against sovereign states.
- Geneva Conventions — prohibit aggression, violence against civilians, and support for illegal armed formations (ICRC).
- Minsk Agreements — Russia violated provisions on ceasefire, withdrawal of weapons, border control, and safe conditions for elections (Minsk I and II).
- ICCPR, Art. 19 — war propaganda and information manipulation (OHCHR).
The Real Picture
For eight years, Ukraine defended itself against Russian-backed armed formations. Shelling occurred, but systematic attacks on civilian objects, use of heavy weapons in cities, and MLRS targeting residential areas were primarily carried out by DPR/LPR and Russian regular and irregular forces. All confirmed by OSCE, HRW, UN, and OSINT investigations.
Conclusion
The myth of "eight years of Donbass bombing by Ukraine" was a key instrument of Russian propaganda to justify the invasion. It shifted responsibility for destruction and casualties onto Ukraine. Facts — OSCE reports, HRW, Amnesty, satellite imagery — clearly show that Ukraine was defending itself and did not carry out systematic attacks on civilians.
Main Sources and Materials
- OSCE SMM (2015–2022): OSCE SMM Reports
- HRW Ukraine: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/ukraine
- Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/ukraine/report-ukraine/
- Satellite imagery: Maxar, Planet Labs
- Investigations: Bellingcat and Conflict Intelligence Team
- Minsk Agreements I and II: peacemaker.un.org
- Geneva Conventions: ICRC
- ICCPR: OHCHR
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.
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Last modified date: 25/11/2025