We are witnessing an unprecedented wave of lies, fake news, distorted and fabricated facts aimed at discrediting our actions. Goebbels-style Western propaganda was predictable,” the Russian embassy said.

The statement comes as Russia has cracked down on the small amount of independent news outlets that remain in the country, with both the liberal Echo Moskvy radio station and the online TV channel Rain closing this week.

Russia has also restricted or blocked access to Facebook and Twitter. The Russian authorities have threatened to fine or block 10 Russian independent outlets, accusing them of publishing false information about the war, including referring to the conflict in Ukraine as “an attack,” “invasion,” or “declaration of war.”

Western countries have taken aim at Russian-backed outlets RT and Sputik. Both have been officially banned in the European Union, and YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have all blocked RT and Sputnik from sharing content on the platforms. In Canada, major TV service providers have said they would drop RT from their TV offerings, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would ask the CRTC to review RT’s “presence on Canadian airwaves.”

The statement, endorsed by countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, called for “the cessation of the conducting and sponsoring of disinformation campaigns.”

It called for “the end of Internet shutdowns and the blocking or filtering of services,” and for Russia to “refrain from content restrictions on the Internet that violate international human rights laws.” The coalition also called for social media platforms to “keep taking every step possible to counter state-sponsored disinformation, including that propagated by Russia Today and Sputnik channels online,” while respecting freedom of expression.

A statement by the Russian embassy in Canada  insisted that Russia is undertaking a “special military operation” to “demilitarize and denazify Ukraine.” It said the Russian army is not occupying Ukrainian territory, and is taking “all measures to preserve the lives and safety of civilians.” Instead, it put the responsibility for the deaths of civilians on the Ukrainian side.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, nationalist and neo-Nazi groups use civilian infrastructure and population as human shields,” the Russian embassy said. “The Ukrainian authorities and its Western patrons are committing monstrous and inhuman provocations in order to put all the blame on Russia.”

It is time for Government of Canada to give the boot to The Russian Embassy in Ottawa.