In a string of recriminations between Ukraine and Russia, Kyiv alleges Moscow has falsified claims of Ukrainian neo-Nazi arrests in an attempt to begin “information warfare.” Russia recently announced the arrest of 106 supporters of a Ukrainian neo-Nazi youth group for planning mass murders. Of the arrests made across 37 Russian regions, two supporters planned attacks on educational institutions. The accusation and arrests came after Ukraine touted the possibility of a Russian invasion, presenting increased tension between the bordering countries. Moscow has refuted the claims of invasion.

According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), the arrested Ukrainian’s allegedly identify with the MKU, which state television said stands for “Maniacs. Cult of Murder.” The FSB also claims that Ukraine’s intelligence services provided patronage to a Ukrainian who created the MKU. All of the statements made by the FSB have been refuted by Ukraine’s security service (SBU), who further accused the FSB of “coordination information operation which should only be viewed through the prism of hybrid warfare.” 

Ukraine is not alone in its concern over Russian aggression in recent months. The United States, along with western capitals and Ukraine, recently rose concerns regarding a Russian troop buildup by the Ukraine-Russia border. Since the claims of fear have been made, Russia has continued to throw hostile rhetoric at Ukraine and denied any plans of attack. The U.S. believes Russia may be provoking Ukraine recently to justify military aggression, moving forward. According to Moscow, NATO and Ukraine are the blame for increased tensions between the states. Russian concern over the possibility of NATO granting membership to Ukraine may be the reason behind troop build-up and Ukraine’s claim of “information warfare.”

Ukraine’s allegations of Russia’s “information warfare” are just the latest in a string of mutual recriminations between the states. Last month, Ukraine accused Russia of aiding in an alleged coup plot against President Volodymyr Zelensky. Earlier this month, Russia said the FSB had arrested three suspected Ukrainian intelligence agents, one of which accused of conspiring to use homemade bombs in an attack. Both sides have vehemently denied all allegations from the other.

If what NATO members have alleged against Russia is true, then action is needed before Russia escalates the conflict from troop-building and arrests to violence and invasion. Today, Russia demanded NATO roll back from East Europe and stay out of Ukraine. The demands are part of a new security deal proposal between Russia and NATO, which would establish Cold War-like security arrangements in the region. NATO officials immediately rejected the proposal, which included a promise to reject Ukraine’s application and future applications to join the organisation. Russia’s request for pure sovereignty in Eastern Europe displays hypocrisy, as the state has continued to threaten Ukrainian peace for decades. Sanctions and intervention against the state may be necessary to prevent the “information war” from escalating to a full-blown war that would inevitably involve the international community.

Ukrainian-Russian relations have been rocky for decades. The 2004 protests that prompted the Orange Revolution took place to overthrow the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych and enabled Viktor Yushchenko to take the presidency. Following the overthrow, Russia limited gas supplies to Ukraine and depleted the value of Ukrainian currency amidst a global financial crisis. When Viktor Yanukovych won the 2010 election and reclaimed the presidency, the pro-Russian and pro-Western tensions within Ukraine intensified a long-term intrastate divide.

Yanukovych resigned in 2014 during a revolution stemming from his decision to decline an agreement that would have tightened ties between Ukraine and the European Union. Upon his resignation, Russia again reacted, this time completely annexing the Ukrainian region of Crimea through an unrecognised referendum. In addition to intensified division within Ukraine, the U.S. and EU intervened through sanctions against Russia. NATO has since formally recognized Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner, and Ukraine’s application to become a member of the organisation has frightened Russia, who lost their membership following the 2014 interventions. For more information, read through our crisis index.