"Ukraine’s Kursk operation is NATO’s invasion of Russia": foreign disinfo for August 23

The Center published disinformation and manipulation that appeared globally on August 23. 

Manipulation: Gilbert Doctorow, a Brussels-based writer who positions himself as a Russia expert, stated: “As we know, the Kremlin has categorically rejected any negotiations because they believe that this latest operation by who they call 'the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv' has crossed the ultimate 'red line' and turned that regime into a party they don't want to deal with.”

Refutation: By echoing pro-Russian narratives, Doctorow aligns with Russian propaganda, which seeks to justify Moscow's refusal to negotiate with Ukraine on fair terms that are unfavorable to the Russian side.

Disinformation: Speculating on the use of Western weapons by Ukraine during the operation in the Kursk region, former U.S. intelligence officer Scott Ritter said: “NATO has invaded Russia, and the United States is a member of the Alliance.”

Refutation: Ritter is manipulatively interpreting Ukraine's use of Western weapons as a “NATO invasion,” which is not true. Western military support for Ukraine is part of the legitimate defense of a sovereign state and does not imply direct NATO involvement in the war.

• Recently, Irish “journalist” Chay Bowes wrote on his X page: "The Dictator Zelenskyy and his NATO masters are killing Ukraine with a death of a thousand cuts."