Russia Escalates Disinformation Campaign Alleging Western Neighbors Plan to Divide Ukraine, Kyiv’s Counter-Disinformation Center Warns
Russia has significantly intensified its disinformation campaign regarding alleged territorial claims by Ukraine’s western neighbors and the supposed future “division” of Ukrainian territories, according to a new report from Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CPD). The center, which operates under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said that Russian media resources have spread a series of manipulative materials claiming that Ukraine has no future as a sovereign state and that, after its “disintegration,” its territories will be carved up among Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Belarus. These narratives, the CPD said, are not new but have been amplified in recent weeks as part of a broader Kremlin effort to undermine confidence in Ukraine’s statehood and its Western partnerships. The report specifically highlighted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally revisited these claims, repeating long-standing assertions about neighboring countries’ supposed designs on Ukrainian land. The CPD dismissed all such allegations as baseless, reiterating that European nations have consistently and unequivocally supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The center also warned that these information attacks are deliberately designed to destabilize regional security, justify Moscow’s ongoing aggression, and sow distrust between Kyiv and its most important Western allies.
The Kremlin’s narrative about the “division” of Ukraine is a well-worn propaganda trope that has been promoted for years in various forms, but it has gained renewed traction as Russia seeks to explain its battlefield failures and the durability of Ukraine’s resistance. According to the CPD, Russian state-controlled media and affiliated Telegram channels have recently pushed the idea that Ukraine is an artificial construct that will inevitably collapse, and that its western regions—historically influenced by Poland, Hungary, and Romania—will naturally fall back under the influence of those countries. Belarus, meanwhile, is often cast in these narratives as a junior partner in Moscow’s plans, despite Minsk’s formal alliance with Russia. The CPD noted that Putin himself has repeatedly invoked historical grievances and territorial questions in his speeches, attempting to legitimize the idea that Ukraine’s sovereignty is temporary and that its neighbors are waiting to claim their “share.” These claims echo earlier Russian propaganda about the “Ukrainian crisis” being a civil conflict, a narrative that has been thoroughly debunked by international observers, historians, and independent fact-checkers. The repetition of such themes, the CPD said, is not accidental: it is part of a calculated strategy to prepare domestic audiences in Russia for a long war and to persuade the Russian public that Ukraine is not a real nation but rather a collection of disputed territories. By framing Ukraine’s Western partners as predatory and greedy, the Kremlin also hopes to fracture the coalition that has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.
In response to these disinformation efforts, the CPD emphasized that European countries have repeatedly and publicly affirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Poland, Hungary, Romania, and other neighboring states have all issued official statements rejecting any territorial ambitions toward Ukraine, and they have consistently voted in favor of United Nations resolutions condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. The European Union and NATO have likewise made clear that any discussion of dividing Ukraine is absurd and dangerous, and they have continued to expand their support for Kyiv despite Russian attempts to sow discord. The CPD pointed out that the very countries Russia accuses of harboring territorial designs are among Ukraine’s strongest advocates and most generous donors. Poland, for example, has hosted millions of Ukrainian refugees, provided extensive military aid, and lobbied its partners to accelerate Ukraine’s integration into European structures. Romania has also supported Ukraine’s grain exports and energy security, while Hungary, despite occasional political friction with Kyiv, has not made any official territorial claims and remains a member of the EU’s common foreign policy framework on Russia sanctions. The CPD argued that Russia’s accusations are a classic projection: it is Moscow that has illegally annexed Ukrainian territories, that continues to occupy parts of the country, and that has demonstrated a clear appetite for territorial expansion. By accusing others of the very crimes it is committing, the Kremlin hopes to confuse international audiences and create a false equivalence between Russia’s actions and the hypothetical behavior of its neighbors.
The underlying purpose of this disinformation campaign, according to the CPD, is threefold. First, Russia seeks to destabilize regional security by creating an atmosphere of suspicion and tension between Ukraine and its western neighbors. If Kyiv’s partners are portrayed as untrustworthy and opportunistic, the argument goes, Ukraine may become reluctant to cooperate with them, thereby weakening its defense and diplomatic position. Second, the Kremlin aims to justify its aggression by claiming that Russia is merely acting preemptively to prevent Ukraine from being dismembered by other powers. This narrative allows Russian state media to frame the war as a defensive operation rather than an unprovoked invasion, which is a central element of Moscow’s domestic propaganda. Third, Russia wants to sow distrust between Kyiv and Western partners, particularly within NATO and the EU, by suggesting that Ukraine’s allies have hidden agendas. The CPD warned that these information operations are especially dangerous because they exploit historical sensitivities and ethnic complexities in Central and Eastern Europe. For centuries, the region has been a battleground for empires, and memories of shifting borders and population transfers remain vivid. Russian propagandists deliberately invoke these historical traumas to provoke emotional reactions and to make their false claims seem plausible to audiences who may not be familiar with the current geopolitical realities. The CPD stressed that the best response to such tactics is factual, transparent communication and continued unity among Ukraine and its partners.
Information warfare has become a critical front in the war in Ukraine, and the CPD’s report highlights the need for constant vigilance and proactive countermeasures. Russian disinformation is not limited to claims about territorial division; it also includes fabricated stories about Ukrainian government corruption, alleged Nazi influence, and supposed Western abandonment of Ukraine. These narratives are disseminated through a vast network of websites, social media accounts, bots, and even mainstream outlets in countries where Russian propaganda has historically been influential. The CPD has repeatedly called on international partners to strengthen media literacy programs, support independent journalism, and implement stricter regulations on social media platforms to curb the spread of malicious content. It has also urged Ukrainian citizens to rely only on official sources and to verify information before sharing it. In the specific case of the “division of Ukraine” narrative, the CPD recommended that Ukrainian officials and diplomats proactively engage with their counterparts in Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Belarus to publicly reaffirm mutual respect for borders and sovereignty. The center also suggested that Western intelligence agencies and think tanks publish detailed analyses of Russian disinformation tactics, exposing the falsehoods and tracing them back to their origins in the Kremlin. By shining a light on these operations, the CPD believes that Russia’s ability to manipulate public opinion can be significantly reduced. The report also noted that Russian disinformation often backfires, as audiences in Ukraine and the West have become increasingly adept at recognizing and rejecting such propaganda. Nevertheless, the threat remains serious, and the CPD called for sustained cooperation between governments, civil society, and technology companies to counter it.
In conclusion, Russia’s intensified disinformation campaign about the alleged territorial claims of Ukraine’s western neighbors is a desperate attempt to reshape the narrative of the war and to undermine the international consensus that has sustained Ukraine’s resistance. The Center for Countering Disinformation has clearly exposed these claims as baseless and has reaffirmed that European countries remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The Kremlin’s repeated invocation of a supposed “division” of Ukraine is not a reflection of reality, but rather a symptom of its own imperial mindset and its inability to accept the existence of a sovereign, independent Ukrainian state. As the war continues, information operations will likely remain a key tool of Russian strategy, but Ukraine has shown remarkable resilience in defending not only its borders but also its information space. The CPD’s report serves as a reminder that the battle for truth is just as important as the battle on the front lines. International partners must continue to support Ukraine with military aid, economic assistance, and diplomatic solidarity, while also investing in counter-disinformation efforts to protect democratic societies from manipulation. The Ukrainian people have made clear that they will not be swayed by Russian propaganda, and their determination to preserve their independence and territorial integrity remains unshaken. The international community, too, must remain clear-eyed about the threats posed by Russian disinformation and must not allow false narratives to divide the coalition that stands with Ukraine. Only by working together can the free world ensure that truth prevails over lies and that aggression is not rewarded with the redrawing of borders by force.
