Russian media, broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, are disseminating information that the future NATO exercises Steadfast-Defender-2024 are allegedly directed against Russia. They are also preparing for the “loss of Ukraine” and are working on a “plan for the occupation” of the western part of Ukrainian territories. Like, “when Russian troops approach Dnipro, (...) a peacekeeping operation will begin. Poland is part of Western Ukraine, it has two or three regions there plus Romania”, said the Russian propagandist, cited by Russian media. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the StopFake project. Romania and Poland have repeatedly denied statements by Russian propagandists regarding the occupation of Western Ukraine. NATO regularly conducts Steadfast-Defender exercises, which practice defending European countries rather than attacking others.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the Alliance and sow panic among Ukrainian society, saying that European countries are trying to seize the territory of Ukraine. However, neither state has territorial ambitions. Russia is an invader and, using reflexive tactics, tries to accuse other countries of what Russia is accused of. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that Poland and Lithuania approved a plan to annex the western part of Ukraine.