We must first regard every statement made by Putin as a lie

Almost every day, Russian propaganda chases a new lie around the world. The current one: Ukraine is allegedly planning an attack on Russia with a "dirty" bomb, i.e. an explosive device containing radioactive material, but which is not capable of a nuclear explosion.

Previously, the lie had been that Ukraine was planning an attack on the Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region. These are the usual false-flag narratives with which Moscow accuses the other side of wanting to do what it plans to do. And then blame the Ukrainians for blowing up the dam themselves. Or to create an excuse to use a nuclear weapon yourself.

The Russian false flag narratives started before the war broke out on February 24th – just remember the very obviously fake videos of alleged Ukrainian acts of sabotage – and have been ongoing ever since.

This time, however, the Kremlin escalated matters and even officially contacted Western governments and the United Nations to warn about the allegedly dirty Ukrainian bomb.

This should increase nervousness in the West about what Moscow might be planning for further escalation steps. Nobody believes the Russian lies anyway, because the Putin regime no longer has a spark of credibility.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is the heir to the Soviet propaganda apparatus, which was a nihilistic master at destroying the truth. Russia is now doing this with modern means, also abroad.

Via state propaganda channels like RT or armies of bots spreading conspiracy theories on social media designed to support Russian narratives or just drive the rift in our societies.

Often it is not even about convincing our populations of Russian lies. It's enough to sow a steady dose of doubt to poison our discourses, along the lines of: there might be something to it after all. It is intended to weaken our moral discernment and shake our resolve to continue supporting Ukraine.

Politicians, media professionals and the general public should therefore always be aware of the basic facts of the Russian regime: Putin has built an empire of untruths. Any statement by Russian officials must therefore first be considered a lie as long as it cannot be backed up with factual research.