Ukraine is ruled by fascist elements, who came to power in 2014. The narrative, already used for 7 years, was reactivated around May 9, when the "Russian world" marks the victory against Nazism. At the same time, there is an association with clashes that took place on May 9 between separatists and pro-government forces in Mariupol, a city that eventually remained under Kiev's control.
NEWS: "The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in his misleading address to the Ukrainians, recalled that, on May 9, some Ukrainian cities can celebrate Victory Day twice. According to him, Mariupol should celebrate the liberation of the city twice. But Zelensky did not specify from whom [was liberated].
[...]
On Victory Day, May 9, 2014, in Mariupol, a fight took place at the Mariupol police department between officers and "armed strangers". This is what they were called in the reports sent to Kiev after the tragedy by employees of the Ukrainian security forces.
But what happened on that day, May 9th, 2014 in Mariupol?
On February 23, 2014, a confrontation started between the inhabitants of Mariupol and the new Ukrainian government, which was established in Kiev following a coup. On that day, an Antimaidan rally took place in Mariupol, where the speakers showed anti-fascist slogans and called the public to arms. On April 7, the Donetsk People's Republic [DNR] was proclaimed. Riots also broke out in Mariupol, where most residents wanted to join the DNR. On April 13, a rally by supporters of federalization took place, after which the protesters occupied the city administration building. Units of the Mariupol militia withdrew and did not intervene against the protesters. The Donetsk People's Republic poster was displayed on the City Council building.
[...]
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on that day, May 9, 2014, the building of the Mariupol police department was attacked by about 30 "activists". However, it is not clear who they were and what they wanted. In fact, Ukrainian security forces stormed the city department, where militiamen had taken refuge, refusing to obey orders from Kiev. This version, which is inconvenient for the Ukrainian authorities, is confirmed by numerous witnesses ... “
NARRATIVES: 1. In 2014 a coup d’état took place in Ukraine, not a revolution. 2. Following the "coup", Ukraine came under the control of the fascists, who are still in power. 3. The authorities that took over power in 2014 fought activists who opposed the new fascist order in Kiev.
LOCAL CONTEXT / ETHOS: The celebration of the victory against Nazi Germany, which was established in the former USSR on May 9, a day after the rest of Europe, became an occasion for propaganda in favor of Russia and the "Russian world" (ruskiy mir). The fight against fascism is a central theme and is still used as a pretext for mobilization and as a justification for Moscow's actions, which is why Russia calls the Ukrainian authorities fascist, and the militants and separatists fighting in Donbass, whom it helps with money and weapons, "fighters against fascism". In fact, one of the symbols displayed on May 9 - St. George's Ribbon, with black and orange stripes - is widely used by militants in Donbass. In Ukraine, this symbol is banned precisely because today Russia uses it to cover up its crimes and aggression.
After the so-called "Revolution of Dignity" in Ukraine, which marked the end of the Euromaidan protests, Russian Federation forces captured the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, and in eastern Ukraine pro-Russian separatists / protesters started occupying administrative buildings in Donbass localities that are now part of the two self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk but also in cities that eventually remained under Ukrainian control - Kharkov and Mariupol.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov published in his book “2014. The Kharkiv Spring Moments” (2020), a 28-page document about the Russian occupation of Ukraine, starting from the east of the country and following the same scenario: using radical groups, transporting people, taking over the administrative buildings, blocking the main newsrooms and TV channels, blocking the infrastructure, organizing illegal referendums, etc. Mariupol is a large industrial city in eastern Ukraine, with access to the Sea of Azov, where, in 2014, pro-Russian rallies lasted about a month. Pro-Russian demonstrations were doubled by acts of violence against pro-Ukrainian residents. Pro-Russian activists in Mariupol, as well as in other parts of eastern Ukraine, also held or tried to organize illegal referendum. On May 7, soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine, together with fighters from the "Azov" battalion, a militia of volunteers who were later incorporated into the National Guard, captured the entrances to Mariupol, and on May 9 launched an attack on a police precinct that allegedly sided with the separatists; During the clashes, the building caught fire.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the narrative is to render the pro-Russia separatist movements legitimate
WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: The narrative is false because it discredits the Ukrainian army and does not mention important details about who was behind the clashes. In this article, the lack of important details, as well as the use of offensive patterns, distorts the understanding of the situation for the benefit of Russia.
GRAIN OF TRUTH: Pro-government forces intervened in Mariupol against pro-Russian rebel elements. The Azov battalion was associated with the far right and accused of sympathizing with the Nazis and even of displaying Nazi identification elements.
