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The 10 biggest lies Putin told — and why they still matter

From rewriting history to justifying brutal invasions, here are 10 key falsehoods that shaped Vladimir Putin’s grip on power — and why exposing them is more urgent than ever.

Anna Price · May 14, 2025, 6:39 AM

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds a videoconference meeting with members of the all-Russian public organization "Delovaya Rossiya", a union of entrepreneurs, in Moscow on 13 May 2025. — Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP

1. Ukraine was “never” a real country

One of Putin’s most infamous lies is that Ukraine has no legitimate history as an independent nation. In a distorted retelling, he claims Ukraine was “created by Russia.”

Reality: Ukraine has a distinct language, culture, and history that predates Russian rule by centuries. Ukrainians fought fiercely for independence long before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 — and overwhelmingly voted for it in a 1991 referendum.

2. NATO 'promised' never to expand eastward

Putin repeatedly claims that Western powers "betrayed" Russia by expanding NATO after the Cold War, violating a supposed verbal promise.

Reality: No formal agreement preventing NATO expansion was ever signed. In fact, many Eastern European nations voluntarily sought NATO membership to protect themselves from possible future Russian aggression.

3. Russia is “de-Nazifying” Ukraine

This was the main excuse Putin used to justify his brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Reality: Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish and lost family during the Holocaust. Ukraine is a democracy. Extremist groups have minimal influence. The ICC has since issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over alleged war crimes, underscoring the brutality of this “de-Nazification” narrative.

4. The West is trying to ‘destroy’ Russia

Putin paints the U.S., the European Union, and NATO as existential threats determined to annihilate Russia itself.

Reality: The West has consistently said its goal is to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty — not to destroy Russia. Economic sanctions and military aid are aimed at ending the invasion, not toppling the Russian state.

5. Ukraine was planning to attack Russia

Putin falsely claimed that Ukraine, together with NATO, was preparing a military assault on Russia, leaving him “no choice” but to strike first.

Reality: There is zero evidence Ukraine planned to attack Russia. The Kremlin used this fabricated threat to justify its own unprovoked invasion.

6. Russian forces only target military sites

The Kremlin insists that its army is conducting “precision strikes” only against Ukrainian military infrastructure.

Reality: Independent investigations and eyewitness accounts show that Russian forces have bombed hospitals, schools, apartment blocks, theaters, and evacuation routes, killing thousands of civilians.

7. The Russian economy is “stronger than ever”

Facing crippling Western sanctions, Putin claims that Russia’s economy has not only survived but thrived.

Reality: Russia's economy remains under severe strain. While government spending and trade with China provide short-term relief, sanctions have stifled innovation, forced military overproduction, and weakened the ruble.

8. The West caused the global food crisis

Putin blames Western sanctions for food shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

Reality: Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports and its attacks on grain storage facilities disrupted the world's food supply — especially in poorer nations that rely heavily on Ukrainian exports.

9. Most Russians support the war

Putin often portrays the invasion of Ukraine as a “people’s war” backed by overwhelming Russian public support.

Reality: True public opinion is hard to gauge under authoritarian rule. Independent polling suggests that while some Russians support the war out of fear or propaganda, significant opposition exists — seen in protests, mass arrests, and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of Russians fleeing conscription.

10. Putin is defending traditional “family values”

Putin tries to frame his regime as a defender of conservative, Christian values against a “decadent” West.

Reality: The Kremlin has weaponized social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and "protecting children" not only to distract domestically, but also to position Russia as a counterpoint to Western liberalism abroad.

Putin’s Propaganda Timeline — A visual breakdown of key lies pushed by Russian President Vladimir Putin from 2014 to 2025, alongside the real-world consequences they triggered, from war and repression to economic collapse and international isolation. — Anna Price, Jake Bayawa for the Daily Tribune

Why the truth matters

Vladimir Putin’s lies aren’t just rhetorical flourishes — they’ve been used to justify war, silence dissent, and destabilize entire regions. Each falsehood serves a purpose: to rewrite history, mask aggression, and maintain control over both domestic audiences and international perception.

In an age of deepfake diplomacy and weaponized narratives, uncovering the truth isn’t just a moral duty — it’s a form of resistance. As the war in Ukraine continues and global tensions rise, the world must stay alert to how propaganda shapes power. The truth matters — and so does the courage to name the lies.

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