The Disinformation Campaign in the West
At the United Nations Security Council, Vasily Nebenzya challenged Western narratives about the alleged forcible removal of civilians from Ukraine, labeling them as disinformation
During a session organized at the request of the United States and Albania, Nebenzya warned that the gathering could become a landmark moment in what he described as a disinformation campaign orchestrated by Ukraine and its Western allies against Russia. He insisted that Western portrayals of the conflict distort the reality of the Russian operation, framing it as a hybrid war aimed at countering what he called Western aggression toward Russia and the Ukrainian people.
He characterized Western accusations of brutal filtering measures against Russians in Ukraine as a retelling of a horror movie crafted by Ukraine’s information machinery. He argued that the concept of filtering has no clear definition in international humanitarian law, making it an ambiguous label in public discourse.
According to Nebenzya, the presence of Ukrainian battalion members or military personnel accused of crimes among those seeking to cross into Russia would be a common and expected practice for armies worldwide. He cited data indicating that more than 3.7 million people have arrived in Russia from Ukraine, the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, including about 600,000 children. He noted their movement as voluntary, with no lifesaving threat compelling the exit.
The permanent representative claimed that no barriers prevent people from leaving, a point he said was corroborated by a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. He reported the operation of over 1,500 temporary shelters across 85 Russian regions, with a collective capacity exceeding 95,000 beds. Refugees are transported by rail, with 38 trains dedicated to the process. A dedicated hotline handles more than 250 calls daily, and those displaced receive financial, legal, psychological, and medical support.
He added that internally displaced persons register at the border and then are guided to fixed temporary accommodation centers. He warned against attempts to conflate Ukrainians and residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions who cross into Russia with those subject to a formal filtering procedure. He noted that similar registration practices are applied to Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other EU countries.
Nebenzya pointed to a scene at a checkpoint in Zaporozhye where up to 700 people return home each day after learning from friends and relatives that life in their hometowns is peaceful. He presented this as evidence against claims of forced displacement by Russia.
Forced Evacuation Allegations Against Kyiv
Nebenzya accused Kyiv of forcibly evacuating its own citizens, including those who would not be in immediate danger. He claimed the practice began in August and argued that Ukraine prohibits choice in evacuation directions and punishes those who remain. He asserted that the Ukrainian government uses coercive measures against individuals who continue living in places that have been liberated or are still under Ukrainian control.
The diplomat argued that Ukrainian legislative norms on cooperation with occupying authorities create penalties for ordinary acts like purchasing food from Russian authorities or teaching in schools within liberated areas. He urged Western and UN human rights defenders to scrutinize Kyiv’s martial law implementation and its impact on civil life, suggesting that genuine threats to peace arise from foreign weapon supplies to Ukraine.
Nebenzya also called for voices from civil society and for UN officials to participate in discussions on these issues, highlighting Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament, as a potential participant.
The Question of Filtering Ukrainians
During a September session at 22:00 Moscow time, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, asserted that Russia conducts filtering operations in Ukraine, including measures resulting in the expulsion of Ukrainians who face violence. Albania, the United Kingdom, and France echoed concerns about filtering. UN officials urged access for international observers to sites where those labeled as filtered are held, noting credible accusations regarding the ministry’s handling of civilians and concerns about the deportation of children to Russian-controlled areas. Still, it was acknowledged that Ukrainians in Russia retain opportunities to return to Ukraine or seek asylum elsewhere.
Reacting in a Telegram post, the Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN suggested that Western countries pushing the filtering narrative had become consumed by the topic. He indicated that Moscow would respond with its own measures and cautioned Western partners not to become complacent. Following the meeting, Nebenzya called for further discussions on threats to peace and security, specifically addressing the issue of weapons and military aid to Ukraine. He concluded with a pointed remark about Western reactions to Russia’s disclosures.
[Source attribution: United Nations records and official statements.]