Kremlin disinformation attacking the ‘legitimacy’ of Ukrainian authorities

This report analyzes pro‑Kremlin disinformation aimed at undermining Ukrainian statehood by promoting four main myths—(1) that the Ukrainian government and President Zelenskyy are illegitimate, (2) that Ukraine is a puppet of the West, (3) that Nazis are in power in Ukraine, and (4) that rampant corruption leads to misappropriation of foreign aid. It gives examples of media narratives, notes shifts in rhetoric (including the use of the term “terrorists”), cites public opinion and transparency indices that counter the claims, and warns that Russia pursues a long‑term information campaign to destabilize Ukraine and erode its international support.