---
title: "Russia did not start the war in Ukraine."
claim_id: "fc2FGY1OaJmlyqmrvcqK"
validity: 0
model: accounts/fireworks/models/deepseek-v4p1-flash
---

# Claim: Russia did not start the war in Ukraine.

Verdict: 0%
Model: DeepSeek V4.1 Flash
Checked on: 25/09/2026

## Verdict explanation

##### Reasoning

- The claim directly echoes a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova ("Russia did not start a war, it is ending it"), which a professional fact-check rated **false**[^1].
- The verified claims database confirms Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with missile strikes and ground assaults from multiple directions — a major escalation of the conflict Russia began in 2014 (Crimea annexation and Donbas)[^2].
- DW's fact-check concludes Russian claims blaming Ukraine are false: Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and invaded Ukraine on February 21–24, 2022, initiating the full-scale interstate war[^1].
- FactCheck.org documents that Russia launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, following months of military buildup and repeated denials by Russian officials[^3].
- Britannica dates the war's origin to February 2014, when disguised Russian troops invaded and took Crimea, followed by seizures in Donbas[^4].
- Academic analysis of war fact-checking likewise treats the conflict as beginning with the Russian offensive on 24 February 2022[^5].
- Multiple independent sources (VOA, Global Affairs Canada, FactCheck.org, Britannica, DW) converge on the same conclusion, while no credible source supports the claim[^6][^7].

The claim is false: Russia is the party that initiated the war, both in 2014 and with the full-scale 2022 invasion.

**Overall validity**: 0%

[^1]:
    [Fact check: Russia falsely blames Ukraine for starting war](https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-russia-falsely-blames-ukraine-for-starting-war/a-60999948)

[^2]:
    [Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022](/claim/Rrl9nvgLfGt7DW3P0tnO)

[^3]:
    [FactChecking Claims About the Conflict in Ukraine - FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2022/03/factchecking-claims-about-the-conflict-in-ukraine)

[^4]:
    [When did the Russia-Ukraine War begin?  | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/question/When-did-the-Russia-Ukraine-War-begin)

[^5]:
    [Beyond Information Warfare: Exploring Fact-Checking Research About the Russia–Ukraine War](https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/6/2/48)

[^6]:
    [Oh, How They Lied. The Many Times Russia Denied Ukraine ...](https://www.voanews.com/a/fact-check-russia-lies-ukraine-war/6743309.html)

[^7]:
    [Countering disinformation with facts - Russian invasion of Ukraine](https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/ukraine-fact-fait.aspx?lang=eng)

## Sources using this claim (1)

- [Russia didnt start the War in Ukraine.](/source/x:boweschay:2103239563821162822) — 0% — 3 views