War in Ukraine: Latest news, analysis, video interviews, video reports

Veridica has been monitoring the war in Ukraine and its consequences at local, regional and international levels. Ever since the start of the large-scale invasion, Veridica journalists have been publishing news, analyses, editorials, video materials and have debunked hundreds of fake news, disinformation and propaganda narratives about the war in Ukraine. Veridica is closely following developments on the frontline, the main battles of the war, the statements of political and military leaders, updates about the war crimes committed in Bucha, Kherson and Izium. Our focus is also on international initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine, including through deliveries of weapons from the West and the transfer of military know-how. Diplomatic, economic, political and humanitarian efforts meant to offset the fallout from the war on the civilian population are equally covered in Veridica articles. Our network of regional contributors constantly monitors crises generated by the war, such as the refugee and energy crises. The impact of disinformation campaigns related to the war in Ukraine, the division of public opinion in ex-Soviet countries in Central and Eastern Europe are permanently scrutinized by Veridica’s team of regional journalists, who provide regular editorials and analyses on these topics. Our contributors have been reflecting the consequences of the war in such countries as the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Georgia.
WAR PROPAGANDA: French gendarmes will cover up the traces of Ukraine’s crimes in Bucha

WAR PROPAGANDA: French gendarmes will cover up the traces of Ukraine’s crimes in Bucha

The Russian media writes that Ukraine is responsible for the hundreds of civilians found dead in Bucha, and in order to cover up these crimes, Kyiv has called on French gendarmes for help. In fact, French specialists only arrived in Ukraine to examine and collect evidence of the war crimes committed by Russia.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
20 Apr 2022
Kyiv expert: “The Russian forces couldn’t deal with the Ukrainian army, so they started taking revenge on civilians”

Kyiv expert: “The Russian forces couldn’t deal with the Ukrainian army, so they started taking revenge on civilians”

There is now a great deal of coagulation in Ukraine over the national idea, and Ukrainians quickly understood, from the earliest days of the Russian invasion, that they have to either fight or be killed, says Nadija Afanasieva, director of the Ukrainian Institute for International Politics in Kyiv. In an interview with Veridica, the international relations expert explained what Vladimir Putin actually meant when he said that Russia had “noble intentions”, but also what the role of the Transnistrian region in the economy of this war is.

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
20 Apr 2022
Consequences of the war in Ukraine for the Republic of Moldova: between the risk of becoming Russia’s next target and the opportunity of adopting a consistent orientation towards the West

Consequences of the war in Ukraine for the Republic of Moldova: between the risk of becoming Russia’s next target and the opportunity of adopting a consistent orientation towards the West

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has unnerved Chișinău. Many talk about the risk the Republic of Moldova could be Moscow’s next target, something which Russian propaganda also suggested. On the other hand, the Republic of Moldova could also seize this opportunity to definitely break away with Russia and accelerate its integration into the Western world.

Corneliu Rusnac
Corneliu Rusnac
19 Apr 2022
The Russian independent on the connection between the education system and the war crimes, and how Russian parents have come to denounce their children for lack of patriotism

The Russian independent on the connection between the education system and the war crimes, and how Russian parents have come to denounce their children for lack of patriotism

The crimes, torture and robberies committed by the Russian military are the result of a deficient education system but also of social issues neglected by the authorities, writes the independent Russian press, which continues to work despite the fact that it is almost banned in Russia. Veridica has found an article about how the Russians have come to denounce those who do not share the official version about the war, as well as two interviews, one about Putin's regime, the other about the decline of the Russian oil industry due to sanctions.

Mariana Vasilache
Mariana Vasilache
18 Apr 2022
Russian propaganda endorses a Russian military operation against the Republic of Moldova

Russian propaganda endorses a Russian military operation against the Republic of Moldova

The media and some political theorists in Russia have begun to openly urge Moscow authorities to sanction the Republic of Moldova for its recent “oversights”, such as banning the symbols “Z”, “V”, directly associated with the Russian operations in Ukraine, and in particular the ribbon of Saint George, considered a symbol of the Russian army.

Veridica
Veridica
18 Apr 2022
Information war: Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking its territory, while Kyiv claims Moscow is looking for excuses to escalate the conflict

Information war: Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking its territory, while Kyiv claims Moscow is looking for excuses to escalate the conflict

Russia claims Ukraine bombed targets on its territory. The lack of any strategic importance of these targets, as well as the similarities with disinformation narratives launched in the past by Russian propaganda, suggest however that Moscow is looking for new excuses to intensify its bombings in Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
17 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: The banning of Russian army symbols is an insult to Moldova's history and values

DISINFORMATION: The banning of Russian army symbols is an insult to Moldova's history and values

Moldovans must be grateful to the USSR because they were liberated in 1945 and were later able to found a state. The narrative, launched after the Republic of Moldova banned symbols associated with the Russian army and the invasion of Ukraine, ignores the fact that the USSR was an aggressor at the beginning of World War II, and at the end of it became an occupying power.

Mariana Vasilache
Mariana Vasilache
16 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky admitted Ukraine started the conflict with Russia

WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky admitted Ukraine started the conflict with Russia

The Russian media is disseminating propaganda narratives, according to which Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in an interview to the BBC that Ukraine was the one that started the conflict with Russia, involving NATO member states in the war as well. In fact, Zelensky’s words were taken out of context and given a tendentious interpretation.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is not rebuilding Kharkiv because it knows it will be annexed by Russia

WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is not rebuilding Kharkiv because it knows it will be annexed by Russia

Telegram accounts in Russia and the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are disseminating propaganda narratives, according to which Kyiv leaders are starting to understand Kharkiv will unite with Russia, which is why Ukraine is not investing in the reconstruction of this oblast. In fact, Ukraine has ruled out the concession of any territory, but it cannot start reconstructing its cities as long as they are still being bombed.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
15 Apr 2022
From Srebrenica to Bucha and Mariupol: actions taken to investigate and prosecute war crimes

From Srebrenica to Bucha and Mariupol: actions taken to investigate and prosecute war crimes

From the massacres in former Yugoslavia and the genocide in Rwanda to Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, the international community had to take action in order to bring criminals to justice. In the case of Yugoslavia and Rwanda, international courts of law were set up. In the case of Russia, a nuclear power with veto rights in the UN Security Council, identifying and prosecuting the people who committed atrocities such as the massacre in Bucha, might be more complicated, although there are solutions in this case as well.

Ioana Dumitrescu
Ioana Dumitrescu
15 Apr 2022
Why Kyiv’s security framework is unlikely to create “a new NATO”

Why Kyiv’s security framework is unlikely to create “a new NATO”

Ukraine has been willing, in negotiations with Russia, to drop its aspirations to join the North Atlantic Alliance if it receives the security guarantees which is trying to present to the population as a "NATO of its own". The solution is less feasible now, when the parties seem to be negotiating rather to gain time.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
14 Apr 2022
The Republic of Moldova wants to ban the symbols of the Russian army and to block Moscow’s propaganda. How are the pro-Russian politicians reacting to this

The Republic of Moldova wants to ban the symbols of the Russian army and to block Moscow’s propaganda. How are the pro-Russian politicians reacting to this

The Republic of Moldova is intensifying its efforts to combat Russian propaganda. The Chisinau Parliament adopted, in first reading, a series of normative acts which, on the one hand, ban symbols associated with the Russian army and the invasion of Ukraine, and on the other hand, provide the state institutions with new tools to stop propaganda in the audio-visual media and online environment.

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
13 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia have called for the city’s annexation to the People’s Republic of Donetsk

WAR PROPAGANDA: The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia have called for the city’s annexation to the People’s Republic of Donetsk

The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia has asked that their city be included in the People’s Republic of Donetsk, the Russian media writes. This is a fabrication – there has never been a request in this sense.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
12 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION:  NATO will not defend its members in the event of a conflict with Russia

DISINFORMATION: NATO will not defend its members in the event of a conflict with Russia

NATO is a weak organization that, in the event of a conflict with Russia, will not even defend its own members, as it has not defended Ukraine, writes in a comment ehomd.info, a web page blocked by the Intelligence and Security Service after the start of the war in Ukraine for spreading fake news.

Veridica
Veridica
11 Apr 2022
A brief story history of Russian propaganda in Latvia since the 1990s and how it intensified as the crisis in Ukraine deepened

A brief story history of Russian propaganda in Latvia since the 1990s and how it intensified as the crisis in Ukraine deepened

Despite the fact that during the last eight years the Russian propaganda has targeted mainly Ukraine, Kremlin did not forget the Baltic States and Latvia. On the one hand Latvia itself was targeted, on the other propaganda and disinformation about Ukraine and NATO were promoted as well.

Kaspars Germanis
Kaspars Germanis
11 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Kyiv is torturing war prisoners and refuses to observe the Geneva Convention

DISINFORMATION: Kyiv is torturing war prisoners and refuses to observe the Geneva Convention

Kyiv has officially refused to comply with the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war and Russian soldiers are being “tortured” by Ukrainian “neo-Nazis”. The false narrative has been launched by the Russian Ministry of Defense and distributed by the Russian media.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
09 Apr 2022
Three Soviet myths taken over by Putin’s propaganda that were shattered after the invasion of Ukraine

Three Soviet myths taken over by Putin’s propaganda that were shattered after the invasion of Ukraine

Russia, USSR’s successor, has carried over many of the latter’s myths under Vladimir Putin, particularly those regarding its might and military strength. These myths are deeply ingrained in the collective mindset of people in ex-Soviet space. Still, the invasion of Ukraine has started shattering many of these myths, including those about the victorious army, the liberating soldier and the brotherhood of people.

Mariana Vasilache
Mariana Vasilache
08 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: US experts believe that the massacre in Bucha is “Ukrainian propaganda” made-up

WAR PROPAGANDA: US experts believe that the massacre in Bucha is “Ukrainian propaganda” made-up

The Russian press is spreading false narratives about the atrocities in Bucha, using various US “experts” to illustrate their arguments about “a provocation staged by Ukraine”.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
08 Apr 2022
“The People’s Republic of Kherson” – another failure disowned by the Russians. Moscow’s attempt to create new separatist entities and Ukraine’s resistance

“The People’s Republic of Kherson” – another failure disowned by the Russians. Moscow’s attempt to create new separatist entities and Ukraine’s resistance

Despite its overwhelming superiority in terms of military strength, Russia did not attain any notable objective in Ukraine, primarily due to the Ukrainians’ staunch resistance. Evidence of that can be found in the territories occupied by the Russian army, where the population refuses to accept occupation forces and the few local collaborators the Kremlin is trying to impose in key leadership positions.

Angela Grămadă
Angela Grămadă
07 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Zelensky conditions the right of the Romanian community in Ukraine on Bucharest’s help

DISINFORMATION: Zelensky conditions the right of the Romanian community in Ukraine on Bucharest’s help

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes the protection of the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine conditional on the aid that Romania should provide to the Kyiv authorities in this war.

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
07 Apr 2022
FAKE NEWS: The USA is sending to Ukraine Afghan military who fled their Taliban-occupied country

FAKE NEWS: The USA is sending to Ukraine Afghan military who fled their Taliban-occupied country

The Russian media is distributing propaganda narratives, according to which the USA will deploy former military of the Afghan armed forces to Ukraine. In fact, the USA has not and will not deploy troops to the territory of Ukraine in the context of the war with Russia.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
06 Apr 2022
The Republic of Moldova – between Ukraine’s pressure and the dependency on Russian gas

The Republic of Moldova – between Ukraine’s pressure and the dependency on Russian gas

In recent weeks, the Republic of Moldova has seen increasing pressure from Ukraine. Kyiv is persistently calling on Chișinău to take measures in order to rally itself to the international sanctions imposed on Russia. Such a move would be however irrelevant in economic terms, and wouldn’t represent such a strong signal not even at political level. Instead, it could cause bigger troubles for the pro-European government,

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
06 Apr 2022
From Vladimir Putin's Cancer to FSB’s Involvement in Boris Nemtsov's Assassination: Stories from the Russian Independent Media

From Vladimir Putin's Cancer to FSB’s Involvement in Boris Nemtsov's Assassination: Stories from the Russian Independent Media

The Proekt team, declared an undesirable organization in the Russian Federation last year, returns with an extensive investigation into Vladimir Putin's health problems. The Insider writes how, before being assassinated, the politician Boris Nemtsov was pursued by FSB agents later involved in the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. Russian publicists are also pondering the chances of Putin being tried by the Hague Tribunal for war crimes.

Mariana Vasilache
Mariana Vasilache
05 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Ukrainian refugees take advantage of Moldovans’ hospitality

DISINFORMATION: Ukrainian refugees take advantage of Moldovans’ hospitality

Ukrainian refugees are aggressive and disturbing, and the hosts are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with them. In the Republic of Moldova, they vandalize Soviet monuments and pick up fights with the locals, writes the Russian publication mk.ru, citing social media, but without providing any proof for such allegations. In the Republic of Moldova, several such pieces of disinformation have been debunked by the media.

Veridica
Veridica
04 Apr 2022
Volodymyr Zelensky’s messages to the world: calls for help, references to political symbols and historical events, denouncement of Russia’s war crimes

Volodymyr Zelensky’s messages to the world: calls for help, references to political symbols and historical events, denouncement of Russia’s war crimes

Zelensky spoke up for Ukraine in front of numerous legislative and international bodies. Each time, the message carried a call for help and a plea to stop Russia. The speeches that conveyed this message were adapted to the specific audiences Zelensky addressed, including references to historical figures and events, as well as shared ideas and values.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
04 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: 95% of Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, says the Luhansk separatist leader Marat Bashirov.

WAR PROPAGANDA: 95% of Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, says the Luhansk separatist leader Marat Bashirov.

Most Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, which has been forced to launch a special operation and is the victim of Ukraine’s aggression, says the Luhansk separatist leader. These false narratives are amplified by the Russian media.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
01 Apr 2022
The war in Ukraine is pushing Bulgaria away from Russia but the move is threatening the ruling coalition in Sofia

The war in Ukraine is pushing Bulgaria away from Russia but the move is threatening the ruling coalition in Sofia

The invasion is having long-term effects on the relationship between Bulgaria and Russia. Pro-Ukraine demonstrations and numerous volunteer initiatives for the Ukrainian refugees have spread all over the country, and patience for the controversial Russian ambassador to Sofia is running out, as the government mulls plans to finally diversify its gas resources..

Svetoslav Todorov
Svetoslav Todorov
31 Mar 2022
The impact of the war on Ukrainian society: an outburst of hatred towards Russia and a spectacular increase in Zelensky’s approval rating

The impact of the war on Ukrainian society: an outburst of hatred towards Russia and a spectacular increase in Zelensky’s approval rating

The war had a powerful impact on the perception of Ukrainians, something which has been confirmed by opinion polls published after February 24. From a politician with plummeting numbers, Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating has now reached unbelievably high levels. Russia is now hated by most Ukrainians, who also distance themselves from the Moscow Patriarchy

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
31 Mar 2022
Memories of past aggressions made even pro-Russian Czechs take a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Memories of past aggressions made even pro-Russian Czechs take a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Czech Republic was quick to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and prime-minister Petr Fiala even took a risky trip to a besieged Kyiv, to show his support. The most surprising Czech reaction came from president Milos Zeman, a staunch pro-Russian who unequivocally condemned the invasion and asked for a firm response to Putin.

Michael Švec
Michael Švec
30 Mar 2022
DISINFORMATION: NATO is fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian

DISINFORMATION: NATO is fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian

NATO / US are forcing Ukraine to fight against Russia for the latter to be defeated and Vladimir Putin overthrown. The narrative falls into the category of Russian propaganda that seeks to shift responsibility for the war from the aggressor to the victim (Ukraine) and its supporters (NATO). In Romania, the narrative is promoted by Ion Cristoiu, an active promoter of pro-Russia disinformation in the public space.

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
30 Mar 2022
In the Republic of Moldova, the Russian war propaganda is unreservedly assumed by the pocket parties alone

In the Republic of Moldova, the Russian war propaganda is unreservedly assumed by the pocket parties alone

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused a stir in the Republic of Moldova as well, as the country has Russian troops on its territory, a frozen conflict and an aggressive separatist entity backed by Moscow. The scenario of an invasion is increasingly less likely, given the difficulties the Russian troops have encountered in Ukraine, which does not mean though that the risk of some of the challenges escalating is not there.

Mădălin Necșuțu
Mădălin Necșuțu
29 Mar 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The UN supports the genocide targeting Russian speakers in Ukraine

WAR PROPAGANDA: The UN supports the genocide targeting Russian speakers in Ukraine

The Russian media accuses the UN of having allegedly encouraged the “genocide” organized by Ukrainian “Nazis” against Russian speakers in Ukraine, since the Security Council did not adopt the resolution regarding the ceasefire proposed by Moscow. The UN General Assembly previous adopted a resolution – ignored by Russia – in which it called for a termination of the conflict.

Marin Gherman
Marin Gherman
29 Mar 2022