The post manipulatively claims that Putin is not to be blamed for the war Russia is fighting on the territory of Ukraine – an autonomous, sovereign and independent state. More than a year ago, Russia under his command invaded Ukraine, thereby executing the largest military attack in Europe since the Second World War, which was condemned by wide international community. That’s why the International Criminal Court in Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him for war crimes in Ukraine

We are fact-checking a post on Facebook (screenshot here) that makes manipulative claims about the war in Ukraine. Among other things, the post claims that the Russian President Vladimir Putin is not to blamed for the war, which is not true.

RUSSIANS CONSIDER UKRAINIANS THEIR ORTHODOX BROS… PUTIN IS NOT TO BLAME BECAUSE THEY TOOK TO THE PATH OF SATAN… SUCH PEOPLE LIVE IN MK TOO, says the post.

The post manipulatively claims that Putin is not to blame for the war Russia is fighting on the territory of Ukraine – an autonomous, sovereign and independent state. The purpose of this narrative is to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine by means of manipulation.

More than a year ago, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. Every day a large number of soldiers and civilians are being killed there. 24th February 2022, Russia launched missile strikes at locations across Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv. Russian ground forces entered Ukrainian territory after which the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by introducing Martial Law, disruption of diplomatic relations with Russia and general mobilization. This invasion is the largest military attack in Europe since the Second World War. It has been subject to widespread international condemnation and the introduction of sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine did not attack Russia, but Russia attacked Ukraine. Subsequently, Ukraine has the right to defend itself and allies are delivering military and monetary aid to Ukraine, as well as humanitarian aid for the civilians and displaced persons.

In addition, the European Union (EU) established the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) – a new tribunal specialized to investigate and prosecute the Russian crimes committed during the aggression against Ukraine.

Its main goal, as announced by the European Commission, is to strengthen the investigation of crimes as a result of the aggression by providing key evidence and facilitating the case-building process at an early stage.

The European Union Agency for Cooperation in the Field of Criminal Justice (Eurojust), as announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, supports the new International Tribunal and will provide legal, operational and logistical support.

Claiming that Putin is not to blame for the war is absurd. He is the leader of Russia and the High Commander of the Armed Forces that attacked – under his command – the neighboring country which is an independent and sovereign state.

That is why the International Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President Putin, accusing him for committing Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin’s arrest warrant is based on suspicions of illegal deportation of children and illegal transfer of people from Ukraine to the territory of the Russian Federation. An arrest warrant was also issued for Maria Alekseyvna Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

The reports of human rights abuses by the Russian Armed Forces during the war against Ukraine, also led to consequences for Russia by the United Nations. Last April, the General Assembly voted to expel Russia from the UN Human Rights Council. With 93 votes “for”, 24 votes “against” and 58 abstentions, the Assembly suspended Russia because for ”gross and systematic violations of human rights” and for ”violation of the international law committed against Ukraine”.

Particularly problematic part of the post is the claims that Ukrainians took to ”the path of Satan”. What does that mean? What kind of a path is that? Who and how decides what is Satan?

Such ”Satan” narratives come from the Russian side in an attempt to justify the crimes they committed on foreign soil, as well as the thousands of victims on both sides, orphaned children, and millions of displaced persons.

Last November, the Former President Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow is fighting a holy war against Satan and warned that Russia is capable of sending its enemies to hell. In the message upon the occasion of National Unity Day of Russia – 4th November – Medvedev, currently the Deputy President of the Security Council of Russia, said that the task of the fatherland is:

To stop the supreme ruler of hell, whatever name he uses – Satan, Lucifer or Iblis.

The war that started more than a year ago claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, shook the global economy and reopened the divisions of the Cold War, such as the fear of nuclear war. According to all stated facts, we conclude that the claim that Putin is not the one to blame for the war to be completely untrue.

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