A Russian-backed separatist leader in eastern Ukraine announced an emergency evacuation to Russia, alleging that Ukraine built up its military presence for an offensive in the area. But analysis of the video message revealed it was prerecorded two days earlier, and the U.S. government considered it part of a lying tactic to distract from a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In the video message posted on a messaging app on Friday, Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk rebel government, said, "As of today, Feb. 18, a mass centralized departure of the population to the Russian Federation has been organized."
Pushilin alleged a Ukrainian buildup of forces and weaponry, including U.S.-provided advanced weapons like Javelin antitank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, was the reason for the evacuation. "The armed forces of the enemy are in combat formations and are ready for the forceful capture of Donbas. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will soon issue a decree to the military to go on the offensive and implement a plan for the invasion of the territory," he said.
Although the separatist leader said in the video it was Friday, NPR downloaded the video posted to Pushilin's Telegram messaging app account and verified, based on the metadata, that the filming date was Wednesday, raising further questions about the timing of the alleged offensive he was warning about.
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