MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:58 p.m.) — An opinion piece by Russia's ambassador to the Philippines explaining his country's view on Ukraine has prompted several envoys to call out what they said were lies and untruths on the invasion.
British Ambassador Laure Beaufils described Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov's piece published on The STAR's Diplomatic Pouch column as "shocking."
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"Upsetting to see these lies in print," Laure said in a Twitter post.
In his piece published Thursday, Pavlov echoed the earlier statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin that the "special operation" of Russian troops is aimed at the "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine. The article, originally published by The STAR, has been removed from Philstar.com to prevent online disinformation.
Pavlov also insisted that Moscow "has no plans to occupy Ukraine."
Beaufils, meanwhile, rejected Pavlov's statements.
"Let's be clear: Russia invaded a sovereign state. It is committing war crimes and shows complete disregard for international law & civilian life," Beaufils said.
Shocking OpEd in this morning’s @PhilstarNews. Upsetting to see these lies in print. Let’s be clear: Russia invaded a sovereign state. It is committing war crimes & shows complete disregard for international law & civilian life. #StandWithUkraine ???????? https://t.co/RaolOh0RI6
— Laure Beaufils (@LaureBeaufils) March 16, 2022
French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, European Union Ambassador Luc Véron and Ambassador Grete Sillasen of Denmark shared similar sentiments.
Boccoz pointed out that the Russia's invasion of Ukraine is illegal and unprovoked.
"The fact is that innocent people are dying because Russia continues to ignore calls, including from [UN Director General Antonio Guterres], the UNGA, and the ICJ, to stop its offensives," Boccoz said.
Veron, meanwhile, described the Russian ambassador's op-ed as "blatant untruths" and called for help in fighting disinformation.
"Plain truth is that Russia has invaded Ukraine and attacking its population. Russia disregards sovereignty and territorial integrity," the EU envoy said.
I am shocked by the ???????? op-ed on the @PhilippineStar today. Russia's invasion of #Ukraine is illegal & unprovoked. The fact is that innocent people are dying because Russia continues to ignore calls, including from @antonioguterres, the UNGA, and the ICJ, to stop its offensives. pic.twitter.com/tZRHqIQA3V
— Michèle Boccoz (@MBoccoz) March 17, 2022
Sad and blatant untruths in ???????? ambassador op-ed @philstarnews today!
Plain truth is that Russia has invaded Ukraine and attacking its population.
Russia disregards sovereignty & territorial integrity
Let’s fight disinformation!! #StandwithUkraine— Luc Veron (@EUAmbPH) March 17, 2022
The embassy of Denmark also tweeted its reaction to the Russian ambassador's opinion piece.
Truth is a victim of war as sadly demonstrated by the ???????? op-ed in @PhilstarNews today. Let’s be clear: the Russian invasion of Ukraine is unlawful and unprovoked. #WeStandWithUkraine
— Denmark in the Philippines (@DenmarkinPH) March 17, 2022
Citing the Russian envoy's "dangerous disinformation" for the invasion, Irish Ambassador William Carlos emphasized that the "truth is Russia invaded an independent Ukraine."
German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel said "there is no justification at all for Russia's aggression" while Austrian Ambassador Bita Rasoulian pointed out that the attempt to justify the attack against Ukraine is "futile and unacceptable."
I am shocked at the dangerous disinformation, lies and justification for the illegal invasion published in the @PhilstarNews today.
— William Carlos (@WCarlosIRL) March 17, 2022
The simply truth is Russia invaded an independent Ukraine.
On this St Patrick’s Day darkness of war covers our world. #StandWithUkraine
Shocked & irritated about the disinformation by Russia on Russian invasion of #Ukraine, spread in @PhilstarNews this morning.
— Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel (@germanyinphl) March 17, 2022
There is no justification at all for Russia's agression. Russia's war is an attack against international law and peace. #StandwithUkraine#germanyinphl
Ukraine has fallen victim to blatant military aggression by Russia, which has broken the rules of int'l order&law. Any attempt to justify such attack against the sovereignty & territorial integrity of ???????? is futile & unacceptable.Let's #StandWithUkraine as we fight disinformation!
— Bita Rasoulian (@BitaRasoulian) March 17, 2022
Civilian casualties in Ukraine
While Pavlov claimed that Russian forces do not carry out missile, air and artillery strikes against cities and civilians, the United Nations human rights office has recorded 1,900 civilian casualties as of March 16.
According to the UN office, 726 civilians have been killed and 1,174 injured since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started on February 24.
"Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes," the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
The UN human rights office added that the actual figures are "considerably higher."
The UN migration office had also recorded more than 3 million people from Ukraine who have fled to neighboring countries.
"[Three] million lives uprooted. 3 million women, children and vulnerable people separated from their loved ones," UN International Organization for Migration chief Antonio Vitorino said.
People continue to flee the war in #Ukraine every day.
— IOM - UN Migration ???????? (@UNmigration) March 16, 2022
As of today, more than 3 million people have fled to neighboring countries, including 162,000 third-country nationals.
They need continued humanitarian support. pic.twitter.com/0qSFMPiohV
The United States, Britain, France, Albania, Norway and Ireland have requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting Thursday because of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, diplomatic sources said.
"Russia is committing war crimes and targeting civilians," the British diplomatic mission to the UN said Wednesday on its Twitter account. "Russia's illegal war on Ukraine is a threat to us all."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky likened Russia's invasion to 9/11 and the attack on Pearl Harbor which drew the US into World War II.
"Remember Pearl Harbor, terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you," Zelensky said in a video address from Kyiv, recalling the air raid that brought the United States into World War II.
"Protect our sky," he said. — with AFP