Russia Invades Ukraine? Russian Tanks Are ‘Propaganda’ Claims Vladimir Putin Supporters

If Russia invades Ukraine the act should have global repercussions, but even though the United States and it’s allies claim they spotted Russian tanks in Ukraine this information is already being dismissed by some as mere propaganda.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, when Russian tanks invaded Ukraine and Russian bombers buzzed the U.S. coast, the response by Vladimir Putin was to dismiss the possibility of war as “Russophobia propaganda.” At the time, those incursions were small in number, but now a large number of Russia’s armored vehicles have entered the beleaguered nation and Russian nuclear bombers passed California and Alaska many times in previous weeks, hearkening back to days of the first Cold War.

Igor Konashenkov, a Major General and spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, has already claimed Russian tanks have not invaded Ukraine:

“No Russian military column that allegedly crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border at night or during the day ever existed. Such statements – based on fantasies, or journalists’ assumptions, to be precise – should not be subject for a serious discussion by top officials of any country.”

The main difference with the last time Russia’s tanks were spotted in Ukraine is that this time the tanks allegedly have their original Russian military markings.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen went out of his way to not specifically claim that Russian invaded Ukraine, but it was called an incursion over the border:

“Last night we saw a Russian incursion, a crossing of the Ukrainian border. It just confirms the fact that we see a continuous flow of weapons and fighters from Russia into eastern Ukraine and it is a clear demonstration of continued Russian involvement in the destabilization of eastern Ukraine…. We see the Russians developing the narrative and the pretext for such an operation under the guise of a humanitarian operation and we see a military buildup that could be used to conduct such illegal military operations in Ukraine.”

The threat of a ground invasion is also backed up by the 20,000 Russian troops camped along Ukraine’s border, although some reports allege Russian troops may have sent in already.

White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden claims that even if Russia has not invaded Ukraine themselves then at least the separatists are being armed with Russian weapons:

“The escalation in Russian activity designed to destabilize Ukraine in recent weeks is extremely dangerous and provocative. It includes supplying separatist fighters with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs).”

Already, around 600 soldiers from the Army’s 1st Brigade and 1st Cavalry Division are to be deployed near Ukraine. This show of military might by the United States will include M-1 Abrams tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers according to Stripes.com.

The response to these allegations is varied, with some saying that the Russian tanks in Ukraine are essentially being ignored by western governments and the media. For example, Timothy Ash is a senior analyst for Standard Bank in London and he wrote this opinion piece for the Kyiv Post:

“Another report indicated at least nine Russian tanks also crossing the border last night – ‘quite openly.’ These vehicles appeared to have had proper Russian military markings so there did not appear to be much of an attempt to disguise the adventure. It is perhaps somewhat surprising (or maybe not) that the reaction from Western governments has been one of almost complete silence…. The fact that journalists were ‘brought to the scene’ in pursuit of the convoy of white lorries suggests also that this was all stage managed by Russia – this is now a high security border, and if Moscow did not want journalists to see this military operation then they would not have been allowed journalists into the area. This suggests that Moscow wanted to send a clear message that they can cross the border at will, and they can still do much more ‘stuff’ in Ukraine.”

Not everyone would agree that western media is ignoring the possibility of Russian tanks invading Ukraine. In fact, some would argue that western media is creating propaganda:

“The regime in Kiev is openly raising armies of Nazi militants to go east and mass murder Ukrainians. Referring to Russian-speaking Ukrainians as “subhumans,” the NATO-backed regime is clearly attempting region-wide genocide…. To further poison attempts to relieve desperate civilian populations surrounded by literal Nazis in eastern Ukraine, British propaganda outlets from the BBC, to the Guardian and Telegraph are claiming columns of Russian armor have been seen moving into Ukraine. Of course, their articles only provide photographic evidence of the armor inside of Russia, but none proving it crossed the border…. So when the Guardian or the BBC claims Russian tanks are moving into Ukraine, and the Russian government is not saying as much, nor is any evidence – photographic or otherwise – presented to back up such accusations, all that we are left with is the credibility, integrity, and reputation of those making the claims – credibility, integrity, and reputation that is without doubt non-existent.”

If Russia invades Ukraine in fact with Russian tanks eventually the truth should come out, whether through photos or video. But it’s likely that both sides will argue over the validity of the evidence even as the fighting continues. Who do you think is telling the truth?