Ukrainian refugee's Russian parents refuse to believe civilians are under attack
On Don Lemon Tonight Monday, Lisa, a Ukrainian woman who has escaped Kyiv and asked for her last name to not be used for safety purposes, spoke about the effectiveness of the disinformation campaign in Russia, particularly its effect on her Russian parents.
“They can’t believe that Russians are doing anything wrong. They can’t believe that Russians are hitting civilian buildings,” Lisa said, later adding, “Even when I show the photo of my own neighborhood, which is rocket launched, they still…they — I can’t understand how it happens.”
The Russian government has cracked down on any narrative concerning the invasion of Ukraine outside of its own, and Lisa said that her parents are unfortunately believing what they hear.
“They really believe what they see on TV more,” Lisa said. “Of course they are afraid for my own safety and for their grandchildren, but I’ve heard from them that even things like Ukrainian army is shooting its own civilians. But who serves in the Ukrainian army? Those who have their homes and their families here.”
Video Transcript
- They can believe that Russians are doing anything wrong. They can't believe that Russians are hitting civilian buildings.
KYLIE MAR: Lisa, a Ukrainian woman who escaped the capital of Kyiv appeared on Don Lemon Tonight Monday, where she spoke about the Russian disinformation campaign. Russia recently cracked down on independent journalism and free speech in an attempt to spin its own narrative about the invasion of Ukraine. And Lisa says that her parents believe what the Russian government is telling them.
- They really believe what they see on TV more. I've heard from them that even things like Ukrainian army is shooting its own civilians. But who serves in the Ukrainian army? Those who have their homes and their families here.
KYLIE MAR: Lisa said that her neighborhood was attacked as Russian forces continue to target the civilian population in Ukraine, but was shocked to find that her parents didn't believe her.
- Even going to show the photo of my own neighborhood, which is rocket launched, they still-- I can't understand how it happens.
KYLIE MAR: And Lisa said that even before the war, her parents and other Russians laughed at Ukrainians who took the threat of invasion seriously.
- She told me that Russians are laughing off that panic. They believe that Ukrainians are just crazy that Russia will never attack. So it was just one week before the invasion.
