Sikorski Rebukes Carlson as Ukraine War Surpasses Soviet WWII Fight: The Battle for Facts Intensifies

Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has publicly rebuked American commentator Tucker Carlson over false claims about World War II, as the Russia-Ukraine war marked a grim milestone: it has now lasted longer than the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany.

Facts First, Opinions Second

Sikorski's response came after Carlson incorrectly claimed that the United States declared war on Germany when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. The Polish foreign minister was blunt in his correction, reminding viewers that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, not the other way around.

"My suggestion: first facts, then opinions," Sikorski wrote, linking to Carlson's broadcast. The exchange highlights the ongoing battle against disinformation that European leaders face as certain American media figures repeat Kremlin-aligned talking points.

According to TVP World, this is not the first time Sikorski has confronted Carlson's rhetoric. The Polish foreign minister has consistently pushed back against narratives that distort historical facts or shift blame away from Russian aggression.

Longer Than the Great Patriotic War

On January 11, 2026, Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its 1,418th day, matching and then surpassing the duration of the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. The Eastern Front, from Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941, to Germany's surrender on May 9, 1945, lasted approximately 1,417 days.

Putin frequently invokes the "Great Patriotic War" to rally domestic support. But as The Moscow Times noted, this milestone shatters the myth of Russian military supremacy. In 2026, Moscow is not defending its homeland from fascism; it is the invader, struggling to conquer its smaller neighbour.

According to Meduza, documented Russian deaths have reached approximately 280,000 by early 2026. Last year, Russia seized less than one percent of Ukrainian territory.

The Information Front Extends Across Europe

The European Parliament has condemned Russia's systematic falsification of historical arguments to justify its illegal war. MEPs have called on the EU and member states to increase coordination in countering Russian disinformation, including expanding sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting propaganda campaigns.

Ukrainian expert Mykhailo Dankanych warns that the information front is not confined to Ukraine. According to the German Interior Ministry, information warfare is part of a broader cognitive war aimed at spreading chaos and undermining social cohesion across the European Union.

This comes as social media companies relax fact-checking rules. MEPs have expressed deep concern that these changes will enable Russia's disinformation to spread further, and want the Commission to strictly enforce the Digital Services Act.

As we have previously reported, Putin's propaganda machine increasingly relies on amplifying conspiracy theories already circulating in Western political discourse rather than creating new content from scratch.

Ten Seconds and Back to Work

While politicians debate and propagandists lie, ordinary Ukrainians demonstrate extraordinary resilience. Viral footage from January showed a Ukrainian man shoveling snow from a walkway when a Russian Shahed drone struck nearby. After the explosion, he paused for exactly ten seconds before returning to his task.

The video, viewed millions of times, captured what many see as the spirit of Ukrainian resistance: life must go on, even under constant bombardment.

According to UN News, Ukrainians face over 1,300 attack drones, more than 1,000 guided aerial bombs, and dozens of missiles every week. President Zelensky noted that "wherever Russia tries to destroy, Ukrainians support one another."

In the Donetsk region city of Kostyantynivka, an estimated 8,500 residents remain despite daily drone and artillery attacks, down from a prewar population of over 65,000. According to Radio Free Europe, civilians have adapted their routines around the violence: "When there's a quiet moment, we run to the shop. When there are strikes, we run back home."

Europe's Continued Commitment

At the Jaipur Literature Festival on January 18, Sikorski reiterated that the Russia-Ukraine war poses a serious challenge to the entire European security architecture. Poland, he said, is spending 4.7 percent of its GDP on defence to strengthen security and remains fully committed to European stability.

According to The Tribune India, Sikorski observed that Putin had initially viewed this as a three-day operation. It has instead become a years-long war resulting in heavy military and economic losses for Russia.

The European Union has imposed sanctions targeting Russian hybrid operations, including coordinated disinformation and cyber activity. Among those sanctioned is Diana Panchenko, identified by the EU as a pro-Kremlin propagandist who disguises political influence operations as independent journalism.

Several experts see at best a ceasefire or temporarily frozen conflict in 2026, not a genuine settlement. Ruth Deyermond of King's College London told Russia Matters that neither Ukraine nor Russia are in a position to achieve a conclusive victory on the battlefield.

In the meantime, the battle for truth continues alongside the battle for territory. And both require European unity.