False Claims of Land Disputes and Foreign Ownership Fuel Disinformation Campaign Against Ukraine
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a wave of disinformation continues to circulate, targeting the nation’s territorial integrity and sowing discord among its allies. Recent statements by Giorgi Arghvliani, regional secretary of the political party Solidarity for Peace, exemplify this trend, falsely claiming that nearly all of Ukraine’s neighbors harbor territorial ambitions against it. He further asserted that foreign landowners in Ukraine are refusing burial rights on their property for Ukrainian soldiers killed in action. Both claims are demonstrably false and echo previously debunked narratives originating from pro-Russian sources. This disinformation campaign aims to undermine international support for Ukraine, portraying the country as inherently unstable and fractured.
Arghvliani’s assertion regarding foreign landowners barring soldier burials is particularly egregious, given that foreign ownership of agricultural land is expressly prohibited under Ukrainian law. Article 130 of the Ukrainian Land Law clearly stipulates that only Ukrainian citizens, Ukrainian-registered legal entities with Ukrainian ownership, territorial communities, and the state itself can own agricultural land. Foreign individuals, stateless persons, and foreign legal entities are explicitly barred from acquiring ownership stakes in entities holding agricultural land. This legal framework renders Arghvliani’s claim not only inaccurate but also legally impossible. The narrative of foreign landowners obstructing burials echoes similar disinformation campaigns, including one involving the American company BlackRock, which was debunked by multiple fact-checking organizations.
The claim that Ukraine’s neighbors, with the exception of Russia, harbor territorial claims is equally baseless. Ukraine shares borders with seven countries: Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. While Russia’s aggression and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories are undeniable, the other neighboring countries have consistently affirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. This support is evidenced by their votes in favor of United Nations resolutions condemning Russia’s actions and reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. These resolutions, passed in both 2014 and 2022, received overwhelming international support, including from all of Ukraine’s neighbors except Russia and its ally, Belarus.
The disinformation campaign surrounding territorial disputes serves several strategic objectives for pro-Russian actors. By falsely attributing territorial ambitions to Ukraine’s neighbors, particularly Poland, the campaign aims to create a narrative of inherent instability and potential for future conflict. This serves to undermine international unity in support of Ukraine and fuels a false justification for Russia’s aggression, portraying it as a preemptive measure against supposed expansionist aims of Ukraine’s neighbors. The narrative also seeks to sow discord between Ukraine and its allies, potentially fracturing the crucial support network that has been vital to Ukraine’s defense.
The resurgence of the false narrative surrounding foreign land ownership and burial restrictions further contributes to this broader disinformation campaign. By playing on emotional sensitivities surrounding the treatment of fallen soldiers, the narrative aims to demonize foreign entities and further erode public trust in Ukraine’s international partnerships. It also reinforces the false narrative of foreign interference and exploitation in Ukraine, contributing to a sense of victimhood and justifying Russia’s aggressive actions. This tactic of manipulating public sentiment through emotionally charged disinformation is a hallmark of propaganda efforts.
The perpetuation of these false narratives highlights the ongoing and relentless nature of the disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine. It underlines the importance of critical media literacy and fact-checking in navigating the complex information landscape surrounding the conflict. The international community must remain vigilant against such disinformation efforts, which seek to undermine international support for Ukraine and distort the reality of the ongoing conflict. Continued support for independent journalism and fact-checking initiatives is crucial to countering these narratives and ensuring accurate information reaches the public. The false narratives pushed by Arghvliani and similar actors represent not isolated incidents but a concerted effort to manipulate public perception and destabilize Ukraine.