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9,700 | 10.06.2019 | The US creates and spreads a false image about an “aggressive” Russia constituting a security “threat” | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-in-order-to-prevent-close-europe-russia-economic-cooperation-has-created-and-spread-a-false-image-about-an-aggressive-russia-that-constitutes-a-security | it.sputniknews.com | UK, Poland, Sweden, US, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Latvia | Outlet language(s)
Italian | Throughout the 2000s the US, with the assistance of the Baltic states, Poland, the UK and Sweden, has created and spread a false image about an “aggressive” Russia that constitutes a security “threat”. The US created this misleading view of Russia in order to prevent Europe from establishing close economic and industrial cooperation with Russia. The US fears that a strong Europe-Russia economic partnership could undermine America’s global economic superiority. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the “Russian threat” as a false idea created by US and other Western actors in order to prevent close Europe-Russia cooperation and about the US imposing anti-Russian views and policies on European states. No evidence provided. Conspiracy theory. The claim that the US “created” the image of Russia as a threat in order to prevent European-Russia cooperation does not reflect reality. After the end of the Cold War until the 2014 Ukraine crisis, most US and Western policymakers no longer viewed Russia as an adversary, instead, taking the opinion that it could potentially become, or already was, a credible and responsible partner for Western states. The widespread assumption among US and European decision-makers was that economic, political and security cooperation with Russia, and its integration into the world economy, would encourage Russia’s democratic transition and modernisation, as well as its embrace of a foreign policy based on respect for international legal norms and support for the post-Cold War security architecture Even after the Russo-Georgian war in the summer of 2008, the US, the EU and most European states did not question the above-mentioned assumptions about Russia and continued to view Russia not as a security problem but as a key partner. Thus, the Obama administration announced its “reset” policy in 2009 that aimed to restore a wide-ranging US-Russian partnership. The EU-Russia summits of 2009 and 2010 launched a “partnership for modernisation”. Germany continued its strategic partnership policy towards Russia, and France and Italy pursued similar strategies based on increasing cooperation with Moscow. Until the Ukraine crisis, NATO also consistently worked to build a cooperative relationship with Russia. For more than 20 years after the end of the Cold War, NATO's strategy was based on the perception that Russia no longer posed a security threat and should increasingly be viewed as a partner for the Alliance. For example, the Alliance promoted dialogue and cooperation by creating the Partnership for Peace (PfP) and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), open to the whole of Europe, including Russia. In 1997, NATO and Russia signed the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security, creating the NATO Russia Permanent Joint Council. In 2002, this was upgraded, creating the NATO-Russia Council (NRC). See here, here and here. Russia’s annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine in early 2014 was widely viewed both in North America and in Europe as violating the basic rules of the post-Cold War European order, especially the rule that borders are inviolable and states should not use force to alter them or take over territory from other states. As a result of Russia’s aggressive actions in the Ukraine, many Western states - including key EU members such as Germany and France - critically reassessed their “strategic partnership” policies towards Russia and began to view Russia as a serious challenge to the European security order. The annexation of Crimea also led NATO to change its perception of Russia and to reassess its view of Russia as a partner. Moreover, NATO adopted a more alarming view of Russia also because it observed a significant increase in provocative behaviour by Russian military forces, such as a sharp increase in Russian bombers conducting flights near airspace of NATO member states used by civilian airliners, snap military force alerts and nuclear exercises. See here for a similar case. | Encircling Russia, EU/NATO enlargement, NATO |
9,701 | 10.06.2019 | Western ruling elites impose the legalisation of same-sex marriages and hormone therapy of children | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-eu-relations-are-torn-by-disagreements-resulted-from-wests-internal-controversy | sputnik.by | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The western ruling elites impose on their societies such norms as the legalisation of same-sex marriages and hormone therapy of children in pre-puberty age without parental consent. | This message exploits the elites vs. the people narrative implying that in the Western countries legislation on same-sex marriages is introduced despite a wide opposition from the population. In reality, national legislatures elected in free and fair elections represent the views of the public. In those countries where same-sex marriages find little public support (e.g., Lithuania, Poland) respective legislation has not been adopted. See the opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country here. It also taps into the morally corrupt West narrative. In most of EU Member States (20), access to transgender hormone therapy is provided for children under the same conditions applied to access any other medical treatment, such as access to reproductive or sexual health services. In this context, the age requirement for access to medical treatment without the consent of a public authority and/or parents is 18 years in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, France, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, 16 years in Poland and Spain; 15 years in Denmark and Slovenia; 14 years in Latvia. In the United Kingdom the age requirement ranges from 16 in Scotland to 17 in England and 18 in Wales. In seven Member States, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden, access depends on the maturity of the child. | children, Western values, European Union, Democracy, Europe, Conspiracy theory |
9,702 | 10.06.2019 | Latvia became a testing ground for NATO, youth are trained for guerrilla warfare against Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/latvia-became-a-testing-ground-for-nato-youth-is-trained-for-guerrilla-warfare-against-russia | sputnik-georgia.ru | Latvia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Latvia became a testing ground for NATO military equipment. It has turned into a large military base. Teenagers undergo military training for the guerrilla war with Russia. Playing war games has undermined the economy, Latvians are leaving their country. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO provocations towards Russia and alleged decline and belligerence of the Baltic States. Latvia is a full-fledged member of NATO. NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia and other Baltic States and Poland serves to strengthen NATO collective defence, in adapting to the changed security situation in Europe following the illegal and illegitimate occupation and annexation of Crimea by Russia, the conflict in the eastern regions of Ukraine and the increased military activity close to NATO’s eastern border. Latvian Jaunsardze (young defenders) is not a paramilitary group, but a youth organization created in 1992 by the Latvian militia Zemeszardze. The Zemessardze is an integral part of the Latvian National Armed Forces. The claim that the industry of Latvia is ruined, is accompanied by an illustration of the destroyed building. A search on Google shows that the photo is the former building of the plant "Radiotekhnika" which was the largest audio equipment manufacturer in the Soviet Union. The economy of Latvia is increasing driven by high investment rates and income gains. At the end of 2016, Latvia had the lowest state debt among EU member states. Further debunking by Mythdetector is available here. | NATO, Baltic states |
9,703 | 10.06.2019 | Russia will not return South Ossetia and Abkhazia to Georgia and the Crimea to Ukraine because this would violate the principle of self-determination of peoples | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-will-not-return-south-ossetia-and-abkhazia-to-georgia-and-the-crimea-to-ukraine-because-this-would-violate-the-principle-of-self-determination-of-peoples-agreed-to-in-helsinki-in-1975 | it.sputniknews.com | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Italian | Russia will not return South Ossetia and Abkhazia to Georgia and will not return Crimea to Ukraine because this would violate the principle of self-determination of peoples agreed to in Helsinki in 1975. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Crimea.
Although Russia claimed to act only as a “peacekeeper” between Georgia and the two secessionists republics, Russia provided military, financial and logistical support to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, violating the international norms that regulate the behavior of a peacekeeping force within a country.On the 10th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, the EU reiterated its firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.As for Crimea, no international body recognises the so-called referendum held on 16th of March 2014. | illegal annexation, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea, Referendum |
9,704 | 10.06.2019 | No positive news about Russia in the mainstream Polish media | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/during-recent-years-there-was-not-a-single-positive-news-about-russia-in-the-main-polish-media | pl.sputniknews.com | Poland, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Polish | One of the key reasons for problematic relations between Poland and Russia is the fact that the Polish media spread only negative information about Russia. In recent years, the mainstream Polish media have not published a single positive news article about Russia. | This misleading statement is aimed to spread the message that Polish society is actively misinformed by the mainstream media – it is part of the pro-Kremlin narrative that the Western elites and mainstream media artificially create hostility against Russia. See a similar case here. The most popular Polish media present various news about Russia, negative, neutral and positive in tone. See examples of news about Russia, the Russians and Russian culture published by the Polish media here and here. | Mainstream media, Anti-Russian |
9,705 | 09.06.2019 | Ukraine is obsessed with marijuana, prostitution and LGBT | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-obsessed-with-marijuana-prostitution-and-lgbt | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine used to be a country of great science, industry, culture, aeronautics. Now it is obsessed with marijuana, prostitution, LBGT; great job! | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about moral decay, and degradation of Ukraine. An example of a haha-ganda narrative. | Ukraine, LGBT |
9,706 | 09.06.2019 | The goal of the "Chernobyl" series is to discredit the Belarusian power plant, Soviet legacy, and Belarus-Russia relations | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/chernobyl-series-goal-is-to-discredit-the-belarusian-power-plant-soviet-legacy-and-belarus-russia-relations | teleskop-by.org | USSR, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The true intention of the Chernobyl series is to put the issue of a nuclear power plant back on the agenda of Belarusian society. It aims to present Astravets NPP as a symbol of the insolvency of the Belarusian Government, just as the Chernobyl catastrophe became a symbol of the USSR’s imminent collapse. Before the Chernobyl series was released, the arguments against the Astravets NPP included a threat to salmon spawning, unwanted cooperation with Russia for its construction, and harm to Belarusian-Lithuanian relations. The second goal behind the Chernobyl series is to promote negative sentiments towards the USSR and relations among post-Soviet countries, especially Belarus-Russia relations. It aims to show that no good can come out of Belarusian-Russian cooperation. | This is conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about the West’s anti-Belarusian and anti-Russian activities, and its attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations. Chernobyl is a historical drama television series depicting the nuclear disaster of April 1986 and the unprecedented clean-up efforts that followed. The series premiered in the US and UK in early May 2019 and was acclaimed by critics. It is based in large part on the recollections of Pripyat locals, as relayed by Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich in her book, Voices from Chernobyl. There is no proof of a hidden propagandistic agenda behind the series as alleged by this article. A negative impact on wildlife and strained Belarusian-Lithuanian relations are among a number of other, often more serious arguments against the NPP construction, including the station's potential technological vulnerabilities. These arguments were provided by environmentalists years ago (see 2010 assessment) and many continue to be voiced at present (see April 2019 publication). The February 2019 draft decision of the Meeting of the Parties of the Espoo Convention acknowledged that Belarus had failed to comply with some Convention provisions and encouraged Belarus and Lithuania to continue bilateral expert consultations. It also expressed regret that Belarus failed to provide the Committee with the information regarding the justification of the selection of the Astravets site over the alternatives. Read more about pro-Kremlin disinformation based on the Chernobyl series here. | Nuclear issues, Chernobyl, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory, Russophobia |
9,707 | 08.06.2019 | The Eastern Partnership ended in 2015 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eastern-partnership-came-to-an-end-in-2015 | RT Germany - YouTube | Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
German | As much as one may continue to talk about the Eastern Partnership programme, it has been at an end since 2015. | The Eastern Partnership (EaP) programme did not end in 2015. It is still very much active and continues to serve its policy mandate to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States, and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Read more about the Eastern Partnership and its priorities here. Background: The Eastern Partnership initiative is a mutually beneficial and constructive platform for countries in the region to build a closer relationship with the EU if they choose to do so. The EU does not demand any of its partners to make a choice between the EU or any other country. The Eastern Partnership stands for good neighbourly relations and respects the individual aspirations and ambitions of each partner country. The EaP has been a frequent target of pro-Kremlin disinformation. More cases are available here. | Eastern Europe, Eastern Partnership, European Union |
9,708 | 08.06.2019 | The Eastern Partnership led to a great and bloody war in Europe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eastern-partnership-has-led-to-a-great-and-quite-bloody-war-in-europe | RT Germany - YouTube | Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
German | The Eastern Partnership has led to a great and bloody war in Europe. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine. In fact, it was Russia that instigated the military conflict in Ukraine, not the European Union or the Eastern Partnership (EaP). The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that "the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation". This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian government. The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation." Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015. Ukraine has repeatedly provided evidence of Russia's role in the war in the east of the country. In January 2017, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Kyiv filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice of the United Nations with the aim of bringing Russia to account for committing acts of terrorism and discrimination, which are the result of its illegal aggression against Ukraine. The lawsuit contains all the facts of Russian aggression against Ukraine, evidence of the illegal annexation of the Crimea, and the occupation of Donbas. According to the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian special forces and troops operated to mobilise, lead, equip, and support separatist militias in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from spring 2014 to the present. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It is a mutually beneficial and constructive platform for countries in the region to build a closer relationship with the EU, if they choose to do so. The EU does not demand any of its partners to make a choice between the EU or any other country. The Eastern Partnership stands for good neighbourly relations and respects the individual aspirations and ambitions of each partner country. Read more about the initiative and its priorities here. See here for more cases about the EaP. | Ukraine, Eastern Partnership, European Union, War in Ukraine |
9,709 | 07.06.2019 | The MH17 tragedy can be Kyiv's fault | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-mh17-tragedy-is-kyivs-fault | russian.rt.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | There are doubts about the official version of the MH17 tragedy in the West. Kyiv’s role in the crash can not be ruled out. | Conspiracy theory that the Ukrainian side was involved in the shooting down of MH17, with no evidence provided. One of the multiple disinformation narratives on this issue. The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy (or: Pervomaiskyi). At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation from Kursk region, and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH17, was taken back to the Russian Federation. Several images of the BUK-TELAR with which MH17 was downed are available. The only BUK-TELAR on which this combination of characteristics was also found, is a BUK-TELAR that was recorded several times when it joined a convoy of the 53rd brigade on 23 – 25 June 2014.Furthermore, a joint international open source investigation led by Bellingcat has identified conclusively that the person of interest known as ‘Andrey Ivanovich’ or ‘Orion’ whose identity is sought by the Joint Investigating Team in connection with the criminal investigation into the downing of MH17, is in fact Russian citizen Oleg Vladimirovich Ivannikov. Ivannikov was an officer of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Ministry of Defence (GRU), and served in that function until at least as late as September 2017. During his undercover deployment to the Luhansk separatist entity, he coordinated and supervised the military activities of Russian militants, pro-Russian separatists and “private army” contingents from the Wagner group. Ivannikov also supervised the procurement and transport of weapons across the Russia Ukraine border. He held these functions at the time of the downing of MH17. The European Union and NATO have called on the Russian Federation to accept its responsibility and to fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability. On the basis of the JIT’s conclusions, the Netherlands and Australia are convinced that Russia is responsible for the deployment of the Buk installation that was used to down MH17. The two governments are formally holding Russia accountable. The US has supported the decisions by the Netherlands and Australia. | Ukraine, European Parliament, European Union, MH17 |
9,710 | 07.06.2019 | The US and the EU govern Georgia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-and-the-eu-govern-georgia | null | Georgia | Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation:
Georgia | No sovereign Georgia exists. Real governors and legislators sit in Washington, Brussels, Strasbourg, and the Venice Commission. Georgia fulfils their will. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative as if Georgia is ruled by the West and cooperation with the Western institutions destroys the country's sovereignty. Media Development Foundation's media monitoring results revealed that the narrative that the West is meddling in sovereign affairs of Georgia and virtually run the country, is one of the main trends of anti-Western propaganda in the country. Similar cases can be found here, here and here. | null |
9,711 | 07.06.2019 | The West promotes Russophobia in Georgia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-promotes-russophobia-in-georgia | geworld.ge | Georgia | Outlet language(s)
Georgian | The West intentionally promotes Russophobia in Georgia. And it was started by Georgian dissidents 30 years ago. Abkhazia and Tskhinvali lost in 1988-89 when Georgian dissidents started to spread Russophobia. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia.See here for other disinformation cases about Abkhazia and South Ossetia. | Russophobia |
9,712 | 07.06.2019 | Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians are the same nation | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/belarusians-russians-and-ukrainians-are-the-same-nation | Sputnik Germany | Belarus, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians are the same nation. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about all-Russian nation. The "all-Russian nation" is an imperial Russian and Russian irredentist ideology that is a favoured pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at weakening the national identity of Belarusians and Ukrainians as well as their sovereignty. Ukraine and Belarus are well-defined nation-states with a long history; both nations preserved language, literature and identity, despite foreign rule for long periods. Other examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets' attempts to question the Ukrainian and Belarusian nations can be seen here, here and here. | Ethnic Russians, Ukrainian statehood, Russian world |
9,713 | 07.06.2019 | The West and its allies are lobbying for and legitimising perversion | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-and-allies-are-lobbying-perversion-and-legitimising-that | iravunk.com | Armenia | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | The West and its allies are lobbying for perversion, degeneration and, moreover, are legitimising it. | This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at portraying Europe as immoral, degenerate, and a threat to traditional values (e.g., as a promoter of sodomy). The narrative of 'threatened values' is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets. Find more examples of similar disinformation cases here. | Religion, Western values, West, Perversion, Europe |
9,714 | 07.06.2019 | Neo-Nazism is on the rise in Europe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/neo-nazism-is-on-the-rise-in-europe | sputnik.by | USSR, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In European countries, neo-Nazism is intensifying and the history of WWII is being revised to obscure the Soviet Union’s contribution to the victory. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazis in the EU, which has been repeatedly debunked (see here). Also see earlier disinformation cases alleging that the US and EU countries are Russophobic, fascist and Nazi regimes and that the EU continues the aggressive policies of Nazi Germany. World War II revisionism is in fact common practice in Russia, not Europe, with Soviet achievements being subject to exaggeration and elements of the war that reflect negatively on the USSR being whitewashed (for example, Stalin's and Hitler’s collaboration at the beginning of the war, the US military victory over Japan, and the widespread looting and rape by the Red Army as it moved through Europe). | USSR, European Union, WWII, Europe, Nazi/Fascist |
9,715 | 07.06.2019 | The victory over Nazism is completely down to Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-victory-over-nazism-is-completely-russias-merit | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In the case of Russia, concepts like Nazism, World War 2 and the Great Patriotic War are all undergoing a major revision. Russia will be deprived of intangible value: the victory in the Great Patriotic War and over Nazism. But the victory was completely due to Russia. Of course the Allies and other countries assisted but it was Russia that suffered most; bearing the lion’s share of all the losses and burdens of the war. | An unfounded statement, not supported by evidence. Previously, European political leaders attended Victory Day celebrations, only stopping after the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Media, scholars and historians in Europe regularly refer to the Soviet contributions in WW2. "The Red Army was "the main engine of Nazism's destruction," writes British historian and journalist Max Hastings in "Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945". In several European countries, memorials are in place to commemorate the USSR's contribution to the victory over Nazism. In fact, it is the Russian government which has consciously exploited the epic of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany for political reasons and minimised or denied the role played by other Allied powers. Examples can be seen here and here. While blaming the West for a revision of history, this disinformation narrative goes to another extreme, assigning victory only to Russia: talking about Russia's victory, Russia's merit, Russia's losses and Russia's suffering. Neither the USSR, or the 14 other Soviet republics are mentioned. The estimated losses for each Soviet Republic given by Russian historian Vadim Erlikman are here. By these estimations, Belarus lost 25,3 % of its population, Ukraine 16.3%, Armenia 13,6%, and Russia 12,7% (both military and civilian deaths). | World War 2, Historical revisionism, WWII, Nazi/Fascist |
9,716 | 07.06.2019 | Zelenskyy continues a monstrous experiment to turn Ukrainians into the enemies of Russians | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/zelenskyy-continues-a-monstrous-experiment-to-turn-ukrainians-into-the-enemies-of-russians | fondsk.ru,teleskop-by.org,ross-bel.ru | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes the same speeches as Poroshenko did. It means that the monstrous experiment on turning Ukraine’s residents into the enemies of Russians will continue. Ukrainian army and repressive entities eliminate Russian cultural code holders. Some of them are killed with missiles and bullets. Others are eliminated morally, through imprisonment, church captures and reformatting children into Ukrainians through education and activities of patriotic organisations. | This message is a mix of ungrounded conspiracies and generalizations aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian authorities, the Ukrainian army, and at misrepresenting Ukraine's domestic policies. It is consistent with common pro-Kremlin narratives about Ukrainian statehood, discrimination against Russian speakers and Russophobia. The recent law on the Ukrainian language does not forbid the use of Russian or other languages in private communication and religious ceremonies. Moreover, Russian and other languages can be present in book publishing, the press, including radio and television, education and the service sector. The law allows the use of other languages in the healthcare system and in law enforcement. In addition to this, the law stipulates that in accordance with the European Charter for Regional Languages and Languages of National Minorities, the government should develop a law safeguarding language-rights of the minorities within six months of the language law entering into force. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Anti-Russian, Ukrainian statehood, Conspiracy theory, Petro Poroshenko, Russophobia, War in Ukraine |
9,717 | 07.06.2019 | West supports Belarusian environmental NGOs in a struggle against Russia and Russian Orthodox Church | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-ultimate-aim-of-wests-support-to-belarusian-environmental-ngos-is-a-struggle-with-russia-and-russian-orthodox-church | fondsk.ru,teleskop-by.org,ross-bel.ru | US, Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In Belarus, there is a large network of Western and Western-financed NGOs which conduct subversive activities against Belarusian-Russian relations, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Russian language and Soviet legacy. In fact, the struggle against the Russian Orthodox Church is hiding behind US-financed solutions to environmental issues. Currently, a think-tank, a number of NGOs and around 30 online media attempt to discredit the church in Belarus and promote the idea of an independent Belarusian Church. | This is a conspiracy consistent with a number of Belarus-related pro-Kremlin narratives about the West's continuous attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations including through the financing of the Belarusian opposition and NGOs, and that the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is favoured by the West in order to organise a full-scale split from the Russian Orthodox Church. There is no proof that Belarusian environmental NGOs conceal some darker purpose or that Belarusian online media and NGOs campaign for the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. | West, Orthodox Church, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory |
9,718 | 07.06.2019 | West-financed environmental NGOs in Belarus stage a big campaign against Rosatom and Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/west-financed-environmental-ngos-in-belarus-stage-a-big-campaign-against-rosatom-and-russia | fondsk.ru,teleskop-by.org,ross-bel.ru | Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In Belarus, there is a large network of Western and West-financed NGOs which conduct subversive activities against Belarus-Russia relations. An example of far-reaching anti-Russian goals of environmental initiatives is a campaign against the construction of the Astravets nuclear power plant, which is built by Rosatom. Environmental activists argue that the NPP will discourage salmons spawning in its vicinity because of increased river temperature as a result of the nuclear reactor cooling. The contours of a big campaign against Rosatom and Russia are drawn on these assumptions. | This is a conspiracy consistent with a number of Belarus-related pro-Kremlin narratives about West's continuous attempts to disrupt Belarus-Russia relations including through financing Belarusian opposition and NGOs. The claim that the public campaign against the Astravets NPP is built around the salmon spawning argument is misleading because negative impact for wildlife is just one among a number of other, often more serious arguments against the NPP construction including the station's potential technological vulnerabilities. These arguments were provided by environmentalists years ago (see 2010 assessment) and some of them continue to be voiced (see April 2019 publication) at present. The February 2019 draft decision of the Meeting of the Parties of the Espoo Convention acknowledged that Belarus had failed to comply with some Convention provisions and encouraged Belarus and Lithuania to continue bilateral expert consultations. It also expressed regret that Belarus failed to provide the Committee with the information regarding the justification of the selection of the Astravets site over the alternatives. | West, Nuclear issues, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory |
9,719 | 06.06.2019 | Zelenskyy should acknowledge that Russia does not wage a war against Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/zelenskyy-should-acknowledge-that-russia-is-not-implicated-in-the-donbas-conflict-which-is-a-civil-war | sputnik.by | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The primary actions of Zelenskyy should be arranging a real ceasefire in Donbas and acknowledging that Russia does not wage a war against Ukraine, rather a civil war is going on between the Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking population. | This message contains a classic pro-Kremlin narrative about the war in Ukraine. It denies Russia's implication in the Donbas conflict and puts forward a false claim that a civil war between the Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking population is going on. It disregards the extensive irrefutable factual evidence confirming an ongoing Russian military presence in Donbas that can be found here and here. At the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014, NATO leaders condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in the strongest terms and demanded that Russia stop and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and along the country’s border. NATO leaders also demanded that Russia complies with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities; end its illegitimate occupation of Crimea; refrain from aggressive actions against Ukraine; halt the flow of weapons, equipment, people and money across the border to the separatists; and stop fomenting tension along and across the Ukrainian border. The European Union stated in July of 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation". See an earlier disinformation case alleging that the rumours about the Russian military presence in Donbas come from a linguistic misunderstanding. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian statehood, Donbas, War in Ukraine |
9,720 | 06.06.2019 | In Germany there is a longstanding campaign to discredit Russian media | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/in-germany-there-is-a-longstanding-campaign-to-discredit-russian-media-like-sputnik-or-russia-today | RT Germany - YouTube | Germany, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | In Germany, there has been a longstanding campaign to discredit Russian information sources, structures and organisations like Sputnik or Russia Today. Representatives of the local political establishment and professional journalist associations are taking part in this campaign. | Government spokesman Steffen Seibert reacted to accusations that had spoken of a state campaign against Russian foreign media in Germany. "Anyone who makes such absurd allegations in the world has little knowledge of Germany and little idea of freedom of the press," said government spokesman Seibert. In the past, various and numerous German media and the German Journalists' Association [DJV] have criticised individual Russian broadcasters for the way they work. The head of the German Journalists' Association, Frank Überall, commented on the accusations in a press release issued: "There is no campaign against Russian foreign media in Germany, only unanimous criticism from different sides of their working methods." In November 2016, the European Parliament adopted a comprehensive resolution defining the European Union's "strategy to combat EU propaganda". The EU notes that media such as Sputnik or RT poses a threat. Similar cases: UN resolution is yet another act of the West's anti-Russian campaign, RT faces repression in the US and it will lose its status as a media, The official News Agency of Slovakia (TASR) suspended the cooperation with Sputnik News as a result of pressures from the Slovak government. Further reading:Three things you need to know about RT and SputnikRussian election meddling and pro-Kremlin disinformation | Russia Today (RT), Freedom of speech, Media, Sputnik |
9,721 | 06.06.2019 | The Russian delegation was not invited to the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II because of the Russian ban on the imports of Polish apples | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russian-delegation-was-not-invited-to-80th-anniversary-of-the-outbreak-of-world-war-ii-because-of-russian-ban-on-polish-apples-imports | teleskop-by.org | Poland, Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Polish anti-Soviet and anti-Russian hysteria peaked in Warsaw’s refusal to invite the Russian delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. This is strange because other Soviet republics including Belarus received an invitation. All Soviet countries share responsibility for the crimes of Communism but in the end, it is only Russia that is blamed. The real reason behind Warsaw’s decision not to extend an invitation to Russia is not the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, but rather the Russian ban on the imports of Polish apples. | This is a conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's anti-Russian actions. Poland's decision not to invite the Russian delegation to the commemoration ceremony has nothing to do with either the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact or the Russian ban on imports of Polish apples. According to Krzysztof Szczerski, an aide to the Polish president, Russia was not invited to the events in September 2019 because of its aggressive actions in Ukraine. Szczerski stated that the anniversary ceremony will be held “in the company of countries with whom Poland now cooperates closely for peace based on the respect for international law, for the sovereignty of nations and of their territories.” See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Russia introduced passport controls at the border with Belarus because of European fraud in food exports, and that Poland attempts to destroy the world order by not inviting Russia to commemorate the start of WWII. | World War 2, Sanctions, Conspiracy theory |
9,722 | 06.06.2019 | Mueller's investigation did not prove Russian interference in the US elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/muellers-investigation-did-not-prove-russian-interference-in-the-us-election | Sputnik France - SoundCloud,fr.sputniknews.com | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
French | We saw a two-year investigation in the United States, the Muller inquiry. It was supposed to find the so-called Russian interference in the US elections, and the inquiry’s result was nil. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Mueller's report determined that there were "two main Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election". It led to US senators' proposals to extend sanctions on Russia to deter it from further election meddling. See similar disinformation cases here. | election meddling, Robert Mueller |
9,723 | 06.06.2019 | The US used sanctions to seize the Russian aluminium industry | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-used-sanctions-to-seize-russian-aluminium-industry | sputniknews.com | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | The US used sanctions against the Russian company Rusal to seize control of Russia’s aluminium industry. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative casting Western sanctions against Russia as an unjust, Russophobic ploy designed to cripple the country's sovereignty and prosperity. The relevant iteration of sanctions was imposed in April 2018 and extended to Russian individuals and entities suspected of interference in the 2016 US presidential election. One of these individuals was Russian minerals mogul Oleg Deripaska, CEO of Rusal. The sanctions on Rusal were rolled back in January 2019, following a restructuring of the company's shareholding and voting structure in the course of which Deripaska surrendered majority control over Rusal's parent company, En+. Under the terms of the restructuring process overseen by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, En+ and Rusal additionally appointed the required number of independent directors to ensure transparency and accountability of their corporate governance. None of the above would indicate that Washington "seized control" of the Russian aluminium giant. In fact, Deripaska is likely to have retained indirect majority control of Rusal through former family members and a charity organisation -- founded and funded by Deripaska himself -- which holds a stake in En+. | Oligarchs, Anti-Russian, Big business, Sovereignty, Sanctions, Russophobia |
9,724 | 06.06.2019 | Powerful Ukrainian radicals are transmission belts for NATO's aggression against Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/powerful-ukrainian-radicals-are-transmission-belts-for-natos-aggression-against-russia | sputnik.by | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The dismantling of USSR Marshal Zhukov bust in Kharkiv is a test for president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Those behind the toppling of the monument want to find out how Zelenskyy will react to this provocation. If Zelensky does not react, it will mean the continuation of post-Maidan Ukraine’s policies in cultural, ideological and other fields which are being managed by radical nationalists. They serve as transmission belts for NATO provocations and its aggressive and isolating policies towards Russia. | Conspiracy theory consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Ukraine under external control and NATO's aggressive intentions towards Russia. It also contains unfounded claims about staged events by specific groups aimed at testing Zelenskyy. On 2 June 2019 protesters in Kharkiv toppled the bust of USSR Marshal Zhukov. Consequently, the police opened criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 296 (hooliganism) and Part 2 of Article 345 (threat or violence against an employee of a law enforcement agency) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Zelenskyy's press-secretaty criticised the events in Kharkiv and named them "an example of inadequate humanitarian policies of the last years." Zelenskyy also called on Kharkiv local authorities to organise a public discussion on the matter and urged police and prosecutors to give a legal assessment of the events. Ukraine is a sovereign state, one of the founding members of the United Nations. Neither NATO, nor the EU countries control Ukraine. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by all NATO member states, but were violated by Russia in 2014. In 2014, NATO suspended all practical cooperation with Russia, in response to its aggressive actions in Ukraine. As reaffirmed at the Warsaw Summit, "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia." See NATO's official response to the claim that is preparing an attack on Russia. See earlier disinformation cases about Ukraine-NATO relations here and about Ukraine's external control here, here and here. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Anti-Russian, Ukrainian statehood, Conspiracy theory, NATO |
9,725 | 05.06.2019 | Ukraine buys gas in Europe for a price twice as high as its real value | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-buys-gas-in-europe-for-a-price-twice-as-high-as-its-real-value | russian.rt.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Currently, the prices of gas in Europe have dropped significantly, but Ukraine has to buy it at a price twice as high, due to the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the IMF and Ukraine. Ukraine buys gas in Europe at public auctions. At the moment, gas prices in Europe have dropped significantly due to the warm winter in 2019. In turn, the Ukrainian company Naftogaz has reduced the price of gas by 8% for the industry, which in turn would mean lower prices for the Ukrainian citizens. Oksana Markarova, Finance Minister of Ukraine, commented that Naftogaz’s decision to lower the gas price for the population “is in line with the goal of market pricing for natural gas for all consumer categories and thus meets Ukraine’s obligations to the IMF”. Background “The situation with falling prices for gas in Europe refutes many of the myths that are still popular in Ukraine”, noted Karel Hirman, an expert on energy in the Strategic Group of Advisers on Reform Support under the Government of Ukraine. “Ukrainian politicians often say that Siberian gas purchased on the border with Russia will always be cheaper. As it turns out, this logic must also take into account prices in the European market. This factor can ensure low prices when buying gas in the EU”, Hirman added. | Ukraine, gas, Energy, European Union |
9,726 | 05.06.2019 | Europe interferes into internal affairs of the neighbouring states | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/europe-interferes-into-internal-affairs-of-the-neighbouring-states | fondsk.ru | null | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The European Endowment for Democracy has grown into an impressive tool for interfering in the internal affairs of “target countries”. It is an intervention, which is designed to ensure the development of social processes in these countries in the interests of the “collective West”. | No evidence given. This message is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about aggressive Western activities. The European Endowment for Democracy is an organisation that supports local actors promoting democratic change in the European Neighbourhood and beyond. It is an independent foundation created to promote European values of freedom and democracy. Its funding comes from the EU and EU members states. See here for more information about the EED. | null |
9,727 | 05.06.2019 | NATO's war against [former] Yugoslavia was contrary to international law | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/natos-war-against-former-yugoslavia-was-contrary-to-international-law | Sputnik Germany | Yugoslavia | Outlet language(s)
German | NATO’s war against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was against the international law. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about war in former Yugoslavia. The primary purpose of the NATO campaign was to end violence and repression and force Milosevic to withdraw his military, police and para-military forces from Kosovo (see NATO statement from 1999). In 1999, the NATO operation for Kosovo followed over a year of intense efforts by the UN and the Contact Group, of which Russia was a member, to bring about a peaceful solution. The UN Security Council on several occasions branded the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the mounting number of refugees driven from their homes as a threat to international peace and security. NATO's Operation Allied Force was launched to prevent the large-scale and sustained violations of human rights and the killing of civilians. Read more about disinformation about the war in former Yugoslavia here and here. | West, War crimes, Kosovo, International Law, NATO |
9,728 | 05.06.2019 | The West started a war against the Eurasian Economic Union; the coup in Ukraine was part of it | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-started-a-war-against-the-eurasian-economic-union-a-coup-in-ukraine-was-part-of-it | politnavigator.net,Sozh | Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US ruling class is concerned that the Eurasian Economic Union is a reincarnation of the USSR. That is why the West started a war against the EAEU. An escalation of the West-Russia relations resulted from the West’s intention to kill the EAEU in its cradle. It came right after Putin, Nazarbayev, and Lukashenka declared the establishment of the EAEU. A strong blow to the EAEU was the coup in Ukraine. The EAEU will continue to be attacked. The use of disagreements between the EAEU countries, development of isolationism in Russia and Russophobic nationalism in other EAEU countries will be part of anti-EAEU activities. | This message is a conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about West's anti-Russian activities and attempts to disrupt Russia's relations with allies as well as a coup d’état in Ukraine. The escalation of West-Russia relations resulted from the Russian annexation of Crimea and Russia's destructive actions in Ukrainian Donbas and not from the West's attempt to kill the EAEU. The Council of the EU is clear in this respect: "Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia. The measures were adopted in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine." Read more about the EU sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis. As for Ukraine, there was no coup d’état in 2014. The spontaneous onset of massive Euromaidan protests was a reaction of the Ukrainian population to the sudden departure of President Yanukovych from the Association Agreement with the European Union and to the brutal dispersal of student protest actions on 30 November 2013. Similar case here. | Eurasian economic union, West, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory, Russophobia, Coup |
9,729 | 05.06.2019 | American supervisors have not authorised President Zelenskyy's commitment to cease fire in Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/american-supervisors-have-not-authorised-the-commitment-of-president-zelenskyy-to-cease-fire-in-donbas | pl.sputniknews.com | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Polish | American supervisors and Western partners have not authorised President Zelenskyy’s commitment to cease fire in Donbas. Continuation of war in the region is in the interest of sponsors of Zelenskyy. The promise of Zelenskyy to stop the war at any cost was just a populist pre-election trick. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Ukrainian authorities appear under full control of Western powers, who are interested in the continuation of the war in Donbas – see similar cases here, here and here. President Zelenskyy declared committent to implement the ceasefire in Donbas. Despite the repeated attempts of Ukraine to stop the shooting, the Russia-controlled separatist troops continue breaking the ceasefire. | Volodymyr Zelensky, West, Conspiracy theory, Donbas |
9,730 | 05.06.2019 | Polish policy towards Ukraine is shaped by the Americans | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/polish-policy-towards-ukraine-is-shaped-by-the-americans | pl.sputniknews.com | Poland, US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Polish | The new Ukrainian President will not be as submissive towards the United States as President Poroshenko, so the US-Ukraine relations may deteriorate. This situation will cause the automatic worsening of the Polish-Ukrainian relations once Polish authorities realise the American policy towards Ukraine. Thus, relations between Poland and Ukraine will deteriorate not because of historical issues, but because of the complete dependency of Polish foreign policy on the United States. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the United States is using EU countries to achieve its geopolitical goals and that the EU elites are controlled by America – see examples here and here.The statement that the United States controls the European and Polish elites is a conspiracy theory. Poland is a sovereign state, which shapes its own foreign and domestic policies - moreover, being a member of NATO and the EU, Poland is able to impact the formation of common foreign policies of these unions. See other examples of disinformation about Polish-American relations here. | Secret elites / global elites, Conspiracy theory |
9,731 | 05.06.2019 | France is a new look on tyranny | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/france-is-a-new-look-tyranny | RT France - YouTube | France | Outlet language(s)
French | They say that the word ‘dictatorship’ for the French situation is too strong. Of course, if you compare it with the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany, it will seem exaggerated. Still, there are ‘dead’ people too, because of capital, because of capitalism. Everything we eat, we ingest that causes cancer, all the people who kill one other, who are taking antibiotics and antidepressants, they are living dead. The destruction is almost invisible, but it is still there. Tyranny is invisible, but it is there. | "Tyranny" or "dictatorship" are used to qualify political systems based on whether they respect or disrespect the civil and fundamental rights of the population (freedom of speech, of assembly etc.) and not the quality of food, antibiotics, or more broadly speaking, social rights. Politically free countries enjoy a high standard of social rights, including France. This is a recurring disinformation narrative presenting Western countries as dictatorships. According to Freedom House, "the French political system features vibrant democratic processes and affords generally strong protections to civil liberties and political rights. However, due to a number of deadly terrorist attacks in recent years, successive governments have been willing to curtail constitutional protections and empower law enforcement. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment have also increased." See more disinformation cases on the Western countries as dictatorships. | Emmanuel Macron |
9,732 | 05.06.2019 | Kyiv will take property from residents of Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-will-take-property-from-residents-of-donbas | iz.ru,ukraina.ru,russian.rt.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Donbas residents who have received Russian citizenship will be deprived of their property in Ukraine. Kyiv continues to incite ethnic strife between countries and denounce residents of Donbas as second-class citizens. | This is a standard pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Donbas. More similar cases here. Yes, dual citizenship in Ukraine is prohibited: when a Ukrainian obtains the passport of another state, their Ukrainian citizenship can be cancelled. However, after the annexation of Crimea and the Russian occupation of parts of Donbas, Kyiv adopted a law that protects Ukrainians living in these regions. Article 5 of this law states that Ukraine does not recognise Russian citizenship imposed by the Kremlin in the occupied territories. According to this provision, because Crimeans and residents of parts of Donbas automatically and forcibly received Russian passports, these Ukrainians are not deprived of Ukrainian citizenship. Moreover, Ukraine, as a member of the Council of Europe, upholds the European Convention on Human Rights, including the protection of private property. See further debunking by StopFake. | Ukraine, Eastern Ukraine, Donbas, War in Ukraine |
9,733 | 04.06.2019 | Ukraine is losing on the free trade agreement with the EU | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-lost-from-the-free-trade-agreement-with-the-eu | pl.sputniknews.com,news-front.info | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Polish, Russian | Direct losses for Ukraine from the free trade agreement with the EU total around $80 bln over 5 years. The amount of indirect losses is about 2 times higher. In addition, Ukraine’s GDP has significantly decreased. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and its relations with the European Union. In June 2014, the EU and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and the respect for common values. See here for more details about EU-Ukraine relations. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates positive trends in the trade relations between Ukraine and the EU, with the volume of trade in services between Ukraine and the EU in 2018 increasing by 17%. The Ukrainian Statistical Service informs that the EU accounts for 43% of Ukrainian exports. In 2017, Ukraine exported 17.5 bln USD worth of goods to the EU. The negative trade balance decreased from 10 bln USD to 3 bln USD. See here for further information about the DCFTA and the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. | Ukraine, economy, Trade, European Union, Abandoned Ukraine, Economic difficulties, AA/DCFTA |
9,734 | 04.06.2019 | NATO will divide Western Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/nato-will-divide-western-ukraine | news-front.info | Hungary, Poland, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Western regions of Ukraine will be divided between NATO countries. Poland and Hungary would be able to take care of these lands. The anti-Russian front will be expanded this way. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative, challenging Ukraine's statehood and portraying Poland as having imperialist ambitions. Ukraine is a sovereign state, one of the founding members of the United Nations, a strategic partner for NATO and the EU. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world but were violated by Russia in 2014. To NATO, a sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is the key to Euro-Atlantic security. More details on the cooperation between Ukraine and NATO could be found here. | Ukraine, Imperialism/colonialism, Anti-Russian, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood, NATO |
9,735 | 04.06.2019 | US troops sent to the Guatemalan border with Mexico to curb immigration | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-troops-sent-to-the-guatemalan-border-with-mexico-to-curb-immigration | mundo.sputniknews.com | Guatemala, US | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | US troops, sent to help fight illegal migration, are already in the country. The troops have been deployed to the border department of Huehuetenango, neighbouring Mexico, one week after two countries signed a cooperation agreement. | The US did not send troops to patrol the Guatemalan border and fight illegal migration. On May 31, The Washington Post reported on a US plan to send to Guatemala dozens of agents and investigators of the Department of Homeland Security, who will work as “advisers” to Guatemala’s national police and migration authorities and will aim to disrupt and interdict human smuggling operations. Personnel of the Department is composed of police agents and civilians, not soldiers. The story fits in the recurring narrative of a US aggressive and militaristic approach to any problem, and was reproduced by many outlets in the Kremlin-linked media ecosystem in several languages. You can see other examples of this here, here, here and here. | migration, Military, Donald Trump |
9,736 | 04.06.2019 | The US has evidence of Kyiv’s responsibility for the crash of MH17 in 2014 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/usa-has-evidence-of-kyivs-responsibility-in-the-crash-of-mh-17-in-2014 | riafan.ru,dnr-pravda.ru | The Netherlands, US, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US has evidence of Kyiv’s responsibility for the crash of MH17 flight in 2014. The US has photos and even a recording of a rocket’s contrail coming from the Ukrainian launcher. | No evidence given. This claim is a part of a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Flight MH17. The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskyi. At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH17, was taken back to the Russian Federation. Since July 2014, Russian authorities have been conducting a disinformation campaign together with the media they directly and indirectly control with the aim to cover up the truth about who shot down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine. See here for more information. | Ukraine, Eastern Ukraine, Donbas, MH17 |
9,737 | 04.06.2019 | Ukraine lost most of its sovereignty and slid into civil war | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-lost-most-of-its-sovereignty-and-slided-into-civil-war | Sonar2050 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | All countries in the world can be divided into three groups. One is West, which attempts to impose its culture and values on the rest of the world. Countries in the second group try to resist the imposition of Western norms and to preserve their identity. Third group countries are not able to resist the pressure of Western culture and eventually undergo deformation and decay. Ukraine definitely belongs to the third group of countries. It has lost most of its sovereignty, all spheres of the state and society have degraded, and the country have slid into civil war. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Ukrainian statehood, the war in Ukraine, harmful Western values and West's moral decay. Ukraine is a sovereign state. Its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by the Western countries but were violated by Russia in 2014. The concept of "civil war" in Ukraine is a classic narrative of Russian disinformation about the war in Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly provided evidence of Russia's participation in the war in the east of the country. In January 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that Kyiv filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice of the United Nations with the aim of bringing Russia to responsibility for committing acts of terrorism and discrimination, which are the result of its illegal aggression against Ukraine. The lawsuit contains all the facts of Russian aggression against Ukraine, evidence of the illegal annexation of the Crimea and the occupation of Donbas. | Western values, West, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood, Conspiracy theory, War in Ukraine |
9,738 | 04.06.2019 | Western values are egoism, hedonism and extreme relativism | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-values-are-egoism-hedonism-and-extreme-relativism | Sonar2050 | null | Outlet language(s)
Russian | After the collapse of the socialist system Western values spread in the post-Soviet space. They include economic expansionism and egoism, consumerist attitude to the nature, people, interpersonal relations and culture, extreme individualism and hedonism, contempt for moderation, extreme relativism and negation of any principles when it comes to moral and ethical norms, which result in immorality. | This message is ungrounded generalisation containing a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at portraying West as immoral.'Threatened values' is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets. | null |
9,739 | 04.06.2019 | Germany is an American vassal | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/germany-is-an-american-vassal | RT Germany (old) | Germany, US | Outlet language(s)
German | The Trump administration lets Germany know that it has a vassal status and must ultimately serve the [American] empire. German policy responds accordingly with spineless subservience. Anyone who believes in Germany’s unrestricted sovereignty will be disabused by the tweets of Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. From them speaks the spirit of submissiveness and obedience. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about German-American relations. Pro-Kremlin outlets often use the disinforming narrative about different countries being under the American thumb - see other examples here. Germany is an independent and sovereign country and is not dependent on the United States of America in terms of foreign policy making and therefore it is a conspiracy theory presented without any evidence. Germany and the US have close partner relations of two sovereign and independent countries. For other disinformation cases see: Germany is a vassal of the US; Germany is the executor of US hegemony over Europe; The USA is controlling Europe through occupied Germany; Germany will have to choose between defending Europe's interest and catering to Washington. | US presence in Europe, Sovereignty, Conspiracy theory |
9,740 | 04.06.2019 | Kerch incident was a provocation and special operation of Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kerch-incident-was-a-provocation-and-special-operation-of-ukraine | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The incident in the Black Sea was a provocation. Among the crew members of the Ukrainian ships that had violated the Russian border were two members of Ukraine’s security services who had practically led the special operation. | No evidence given that the Kerch incident was a planned provocation or special operation of Ukraine. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea. On 25 November 2018, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However, a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004, governs the use of the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, which, according to the treaty, are considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. The construction of the Kerch Bridge took place without Ukraine's consent and constitutes a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has led, in parallel with the militarisation of the Azov Sea, to tougher controls on naval traffic in the strait. The European Union stated that it expects Russia to stop the inspections. Further debunking by the Bellingcat, DFRLab and Polygraph. | Azov sea, Kerch, Provocation, War in Ukraine |
9,741 | 04.06.2019 | A Union state between Belarus and Russia will prevent the countries' colonisation by the US or Europe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/a-union-state-between-belarus-and-russia-will-prevent-the-countries-colonization-by-us-or-europe | sputnik.by | Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | A joint Belarusian-Russia state should have common interests, values, ideals and dreams of the all-Russian world. Then it would effectively withstand external attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations, to discredit the common history and to implement neo-colonial policies. The establishment of a Belarusian-Russian Union with common values and traditions would secure a free and independent future and would prevent Belarus and Russia from becoming a devastated, humiliated colony of American or European projects. | Conspiracy theory, consistent with repetitive pro-Kremlin narratives about the Western’s anti-Belarus and anti-Russian activities, the West's attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations, and about the West's neocolonial policies. It also contains the concept of an all-Russian world, a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at weakening the national identity of Belarusians and Ukrainians as well as their sovereignty. The Treaty on the Creation of a Union State of Russia and Belarus was signed on 8 December 1999. Its intention was to achieve a supranational confederation between the two states. However, thus far, the countries have failed to institute common symbols or a Constitutional act of the Union State, hence Union State common bodies mostly remain on paper. Since late 2018, Russia began putting more pressure on Belarus to proceed with a deeper integration within the 1999 Treaty. See earlier cases alleging that the West wages an information war against the Union State of Belarus and Russia and that global neo-colonialists conquer indigenous national elites. | Union State of Belarus and Russia, West, Russian superiority, Imperialism/colonialism, Anti-Russian, Russian world, Conspiracy theory |
9,742 | 04.06.2019 | The West is not about fairness or solidarity, its priority value is egoism | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-is-not-about-fairness-or-solidarity-its-priority-value-is-selfishness | sputnik.by | Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Fairness, mutual support, and solidarity are important values of the space that Belarus and Russia belong to. This is a notable difference from the West where individual egoism is at the top. | This message is ungrounded generalisation containing a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's moral decay aimed at portraying Russia and the so-called Russian world as superior to the West in terms of values and morals. 'Threatened values' is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets.See earlier cases alleging that in contrast to Russia, western Europe is abandoning Christian roots and that unlike Russia, the West degrades traditional values and endangers societies. | Western values, West, Russian superiority, Russian world |
9,743 | 04.06.2019 | US assists Yekaterinburg protesters who copy Maidan rhetorics | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-assists-yekaterinburg-protesters | rueconomics.ru | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | American methods are clearly behind the protests against the construction of church in Yekaterinburg. It is a “strange coincidence” that the largest US consulate in the Russian Federation is in Yekaterinburg. And it is exactly in this city where Western programmes are the most active in the universities. The rhetoric of the protesters is an exact copy from Ukrainian Maidan, and “revolutions” in other countries. […] Without the US assistance the protests would fade away on their own if the state authorities did not attempt to start an unnecessary dialogue. | This is a conspiracy consistent with a pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's attempts to stage a colour revolution in Russia or to harm the country by other means. No proof that the US has provided assistance to the Yekaterinburg protesters. The protests by Yekaterinburg residents against plans to build a cathedral to replace a city square started on 13 May. A key argument of those who oppose the construction project is an insufficient number of parks in the city. For more information about protests in Yekaterinburg, see here and here.See earlier disinformation cases claiming that Western funding and business interests are behind protests in Yekaterinburg. | Orthodox Church, Protest, Colour revolutions, Conspiracy theory |
9,744 | 04.06.2019 | NATO, the US, EU, IMF and the World Bank aim to establish political, military and economic control over Serbia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/nato-the-us-the-eu-the-imf-and-the-world-bank-aim-to-establish-political-military-and-economic-control-over-serbia | it.sputniknews.com | Serbia, US | Outlet language(s)
Italian | NATO, the US, EU, IMF and the World Bank desire to establish political, military and economic control over Serbia. NATO, especially the US, but also the EU, IMF, and World Bank are ready to take complete control over Serbia as soon as the [Serbian] government makes the first false move. | Conspiracy narrative without evidence. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on the efforts of NATO, the US, and the EU to dictate policies and control governments across Europe - see examples of cases here, here and here. The Government of the Republic of Serbia has set its European integration as one of the most important foreign policy objectives. The Republic of Serbia signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU on the 29th of April 2008. It entered into force on the 1st of September 2013, upon completion of the ratification process in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the Parliaments of the EU Member States and the European Parliament. It was granted EU candidate status on the 1st of March 2012, whereas the European Council Decision of the 28th of June 2013 on initiating accession negotiations with Serbia, opened the most demanding phase of EU integration – membership negotiations, which imply full alignment with the EU’s systems, values and legislation. See here for more information about the EU-Serbia relations. Serbia is deepening its political dialogue and cooperation with NATO on issues of common interest, with an important focus on support for democratic, institutional and defence reforms. Unlike other Western Balkan partners, Serbia does not aspire to join the Alliance. The overarching goal of the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework for 2016–20 is to support Serbia in creating a competitive and inclusive economy and through this, to achieve integration into the EU. The strategy is based on available evidence and expertise and focused on achieving the goals of reducing poverty and increasing prosperity across Serbian society in a sustainable manner. | World Bank, European Union, IMF, NATO |
9,745 | 04.06.2019 | The US seeks to destroy the system of international law | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-seeks-to-destroy-the-system-of-international-law-and-to-replace-it-with-a-new-world-order-based-on-the-principle-of-might-makes-right | it.sputniknews.com | US | Outlet language(s)
Italian | The US seeks to destroy the system of international law and to replace it with a new world order based on the principle of “might makes right” [the “law of the jungle”]. | Recurrent Kremlin conspiracy narrative about the US and Western illegality, use of force and non-compliance with international law. No evidence given. Similar cases can be found here. | New World Order, International Law, Conspiracy theory |
9,746 | 04.06.2019 | Armenia is under Soros' occupation | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/armenia-is-under-soros-occupation | iravunk.com | Armenia | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | It is clear that the country is occupied by Soros and other transnational institutions. Moreover, everyday day, the occupation deepens. The Soros Foundation is a distributor of degradation, perversion and immorality in the country. It is destroying the traditional family institute, the state and making the country a sectarist. During the second and third Presidents of Armenia, Soros and other structures were creating spies and trying to lobby. Now, after the coup d’etat in 2018, they are an institutional component of the government. The Soros Open Society Foundation has nothing to do with democracy and civil society. It has been proved, once again, that the Soros Foundation serves foreign interests in Armenia. Over the last 2 years, the entirety of its grants go to liquidating traditional values and building a network of agents. | Several disinformation narratives with no evidence given to back up claims. Conspiracy theories about Soros' occupation, destruction and being a part of government. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives portraying George Soros as a menace bent on destroying Armenia. See here for similar cases and the most recent case here. The Soros Foundation has been supporting human rights, education, research, media and other democratic activities in Armenia since 1997. There was no coup d'etat in 2018, but peaceful protests of hundreds of thousand people in response to Serzh Sargsyan's third consecutive term as the most powerful figure in Armenia Related narratives include on the West's moral decay, the West as a threat to traditional values and promoter of sodomy. | Western values, Occupation, George Soros, Perversion, Secret services |
9,747 | 04.06.2019 | Italy is being punished by the European Commission for supporting traditional values | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/italy-is-punished-by-the-european-commission-for-supporting-traditional-values | Katehon - English | Austria, Italy | Outlet language(s)
English | The Italian government has challenged the plans of the globalist elite to turn the EU into a superstate. Salvini criticizes the EU’s migration policy and sanctions against Russia, and calls for the preservation of traditional family values. “Friends of Soros” do not like this. For them, it is necessary to overthrow the disagreeable regime in Italy. They have already managed to do this trick in neighbouring Austria. This is the reason why Brussels is persecuting Rome for violations of budgetary discipline with the possibility of a heavy fine. | This is an unfounded conspiracy theory. The Lisbon Treaty regulates the mechanisms of relations between EU and the Member States.In fact, the European Commission has recommended initiating disciplinary procedures against Italy because the country has failed to comply with rules on public debt. The Commission report states:Italy's general government gross debt reached 132.2% of GDP in 2018, well above the 60% of GDP reference value of the Treaty, and Italy did not comply with the debt reduction benchmark in 2018 based on outturn data. Moreover, Italy is not projected to comply with the debt reduction benchmark in either 2019 or 2020 based on both the government plans and the Commission 2019 spring forecast.For more cases about conspiracy theories regarding George Soros and "globalist elites", see here and here. | euro, migration, European Commission, European Union, European values, Sanctions, Conspiracy theory |
9,748 | 04.06.2019 | Incident in the Kerch Strait was a Ukrainian provocation | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/incident-in-the-kerch-strait-ukrainian-provocation | russian.rt.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Petro Poroshenko deliberately provoked incident in the Kerch Strait in order to impose martial law and to cancel the presidential election. Experts say that there is every reason to prosecute Poroshenko, but doubt that the case will be brought to an end. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea that Ukrainian Navy deliberately violated Russian territorial waters during the Kerch strait incident, or that Petro Poroshenko instigated the provocation in Kerch Strait to extend his power. On November 25, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However, a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004 governs the use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov. The agreement states the stretch to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. On May 25, 2019, the United Nations Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ordered Russia to immediately release Ukrainian sailors and allow them to return to Ukraine. | Ukraine, Kerch, Provocation, Petro Poroshenko |
9,749 | 03.06.2019 | Mueller didn't find any evidence of the alleged Russian intervention in the US presidential elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/mueller-didnt-find-any-evidence-of-the-alleged-russian-intervention-in-the-us-presidential-elections | Pervyi Kanal | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | For two years US special prosecutor Robert Mueller investigated the alleged Russian intervention in the US presidential elections but did not find any evidence of collusion between US President Donald Trump and Moscow — which was denied both in the Kremlin and in the White House. In his first public statement in all this time, Mueller stated that his office was closing, and he was retiring, as the investigation was completed, and stressed that he could not provide any other information besides what has already been made public. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Mueller's report determined that there were "two main Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election". It led to US senators' proposals to extend sanctions on Russia to deter it from further election meddling. The claim that the report provides no evidence of Trump-Russia collusion is spurious. Gathering evidence of "collusion" - which is not a legal concept - fell outside the scope of the investigation. The aim of the probe was not merely to ascertain contacts between the Trump Campaign and Russia-linked individuals during the election period, but to establish whether these interactions were deliberate enough on the part of Trump Campaign officials to sustain charges of conspiracy (p. 2). The report explicitly identifies "numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump Campaign" (p. 9). Find more disinformation cases on this issue here. | election meddling, Robert Mueller |
9,750 | 03.06.2019 | Islam enslaves Europe with the tacit consent of its leaders | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/islam-enslaves-europe-with-the-tacit-consent-of-its-leaders | news-front.info | null | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Islam enslaves Europe with the tacit consent of its leaders. The death of Europe will be violent and painful. European leaders refuses to protect their own civilization. The schools are changing the educational program, and are beginning to teach the children “Muslim values”. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about migrants and Islamisation. | null |
9,751 | 03.06.2019 | The collapse of Ukraine would be a chance for a "Greater Romania" | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-collapse-of-ukraine-would-be-a-chance-for-a-greater-romania | tsargrad.tv,Rosbalt | Romania, Poland, US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Romanian, Polish and Hungarian irredentists pin their hopes on the imminent collapse of Ukraine and its subsequent defragmentation, which will allow them to snatch off a piece of “Ukrainian pie”. The preservation of Ukraine in its Soviet and post-Soviet borders is not fundamental for the United States and its satellites. Ukraine, which has lost its sovereignty and political subjectivity, will be easily sacrificed for current political expediency, as has already happened to the countries of the “third world” more than once. Bessarabia, formerly owned by Russia, was occupied in 1918 by Romanian troops. The Romanian expansion, unlike the Hungarian one, is of a creeping type – without any special statements and scandals. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy about Romania, with previous record of questioning Moldova's and Ukraine's integrity. Neither Romania, Poland nor Hungary claim any territory of Ukraine. In early 1918, the National Council of Bessarabia proclaimed a union with the Kingdom of Romania. | West, Occupation, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood |
9,752 | 03.06.2019 | Russia is the main investor in Moldova | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-is-the-main-investor-in-moldova | sputnik.md,ru.sputnik.md | Moldova, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Romanian, Russian | Russia is the main investor in the Republic of Moldova. | This pro-Kremlin narrative aims to show Moldova as a country dependant on Russia. This type of narrative is used in reference to other countries, too - see a similar example here. According to the Moldova State News Agency, in 2018, more than 80% of foreign direct investments were drawn to Moldova from the European Union. Investors from the Commonwealth of Independent States countries accounted for 6% of the accumulated capital. Read a similar case about Moldovan imports from the EU here. | economy, Trade, European Union |
9,753 | 03.06.2019 | Ukrainian nationalists want to get rid of everything connected to Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-nationalists-get-rid-of-everything-connected-with-russia | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukrainian nationalists and radicals want to destroy the history of the country and get rid of everything connected to Russia. Therefore, in Kharkiv, Ukrainian vandals demolished a monument to Soviet Marshal Georgiy Zhukov. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about decommunisation in Ukraine. In Ukraine, the law on decommunisation initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers came into force in 2015. The document recognises the communist totalitarian regime of 1917–1991 in Ukraine as criminal and pursuing a policy of state terror. The monument to the Soviet Marshal Georgiy Zhukov falls under the action of the law on decommunisation: Zhukov was the first deputy people's commissar of defence of the USSR in 1942-1944 and the minister of defence of the USSR in 1955-1957. The law requires the dismantling of such objects as the monument to Zhukov. | Historical revisionism, Nazi/Fascist |
9,754 | 03.06.2019 | The project 'Ukraine' is over | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-project-ukraine-is-over | livenews.am | USSR, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | There is no doubt that Ukraine was one of the geopolitical projects. Under the temporary government of Kerensky, it pursued one goal, during the Soviet Union the goal was another, and then a different goal in the post-Soviet era. Finally, Ukraine became a headache. The project ‘Ukraine’ is now over. A viable and complete Ukraine is no longer needed. Neither the geopolitical poles, nor the regional and neighbouring states, nor the people who are in conflict need this country. Now Ukraine is like a deadly wounded animal, and every interested party wants to get a bigger piece. | This is recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative undermining Ukrainian statehood. Ukraine is a sovereign nation-state, not a project. In 1991 Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union. The Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine was adopted on July 16, 1990, Ukraine is recognised in international law as a sovereign nation-state, with its own flag, nationality, language etc. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. Similar cases are here and here. | West, Ukrainian statehood |
9,755 | 03.06.2019 | Soros Foundation is organising clashes in Armenia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-soros-foundation-is-organising-clashes-in-armenia-they-want-a-civil-war-and-blood | armeniasputnik.am | Armenia | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | Soros Foundation is working on the destruction of Armenia. Therefore, the foundation’s office in Armenia must be closed. The foundation workers and people cooperating with them are foreign agents. Their activities should be prohibited. In addition, the Soros Foundation is organising clashes in Armenia. They want the Armenians to come out against the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). They want civil war and blood. | No evidence given. Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives portraying philanthropist George Soros as a menace bent on destroying Armenia. See here for similar cases. Soros Foundation has been supporting human rights, education, research, media and other democratic activities in Armenia since 1997. | Civil war, Nagorno-Karabakh, George Soros |
9,756 | 03.06.2019 | Ukraine will always be a pro-Russian country | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-will-always-be-a-pro-russian-country | Pervyi Kanal - YouTube | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Despite the fact that the West is trying with all its might to draw Ukraine into the Western community, Ukraine will always have a pro-Russian vector of development. Ukraine has always been both a Ukrainian and Russian country at the same time. | A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the "fraternal peoples" - Ukraine and Russia. The Kremlin often uses this narrative, arguing that Ukraine is part of Russia. In reality, Ukraine has a long and distinct history, language and culture, separate from Russia. Ukraine is recognised in international law as a sovereign nation-state, with its own flag, nationality and language. In 2014, after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the country's leadership began to actively promote pro-European policies. The fifth president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, initiated changes to the country's Constitution in order to preserve this policy in the future. In early 2019, Poroshenko signed a law amending the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the strategic course of the state to acquire full membership in the European Union and NATO. | Sovereignty, Russian world |
9,757 | 03.06.2019 | Ukraine is a failed state and will be split up | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-a-failed-state-and-will-be-split | livenews.am | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | The country’s newly elected Jewish president and his team have proven that Ukraine is a failed state. The president and his team are led by the well-known Jewish oligarch. These individuals are actively participating in the collapse of the country. The recent presidential elections, results and further processes show that a new project has begun: the fragmentation of Ukraine. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's statehood and imminent collapse. Ukraine is not a failed state, contrary to the Kremlin's efforts to suggest otherwise.Several international institutions show that Ukraine’s economy has returned to growth after the recession of 2014-15 and accelerated in the first half of 2018. The real GDP growth for the whole of 2018 is now forecast at around 3.3%.Furthermore, no evidence is given to support the speculative claim that newly elected president Zelenskyy and his team are involved in the collapse of the country. Disinformation about Ukraine's disintegration and collapse is a popular pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative. Similar cases are here, here and here.The EU is among the strongest advocates of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. In a joint letter, EU leaders stressed their support to the President Zelenskyy after elections. EC President Donald Tusk stated, after his meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "There can be no just Europe without an independent Ukraine. There can be no safe Europe without a safe Ukraine. To put it simply: there can be no Europe without Ukraine! Ukraine can count on the European Union, as always. We are and will remain your best friend and trusted ally". | Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Jews, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood, Elections |
9,758 | 03.06.2019 | Open Society Foundations and NGOs in Armenia are serving a foreign agenda aimed at the collapse of Armenian statehood | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/open-society-foundations-as-well-as-dozens-of-other-foundations-and-ngos-in-armenia-are-the-servers-of-foreign-agendas-this-agenda-is-aimed-at-the-collapse-of-armenian-statehood-and-disintegration-o | blognews.am | Armenia | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | Activities of foreign agents in Armenia should be strictly controlled by the state. Open Society Foundations-Armenia, as well as dozens of other foundations and NGOs in Armenia, are serving foreign agendas. In fact, these agendas are aimed at the collapse of Armenian statehood and the disintegration of society. The proof was the coup d’état in Armenia in 2018. Moreover, those organisations are doing dirty work, which foreign embassies do not implement directly. Activists will continue to expose these structures, states, embassies, workers, and local collaborators. From ordinary propagandists to the President and Prime minister of the Republic of Armenia. | Several disinformation narratives with no evidence given to back up claims. Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives portraying philanthropist George Soros, his foundation, other related NGOs as a menace bent on destroying Armenia. See here for similar cases. Most recent cases are here and here. The Soros Foundation has been supporting human rights, education, research, media and other democratic activities in Armenia since 1997. There was no coup d'etat in 2018 in Armenia, but peaceful protests of hundreds of thousand people in response to Serzh Sargsyan's third consecutive term as the most powerful figure in Armenia. No evidence is given to support the speculative claim that President or Prime Minister of Armenia are foreign agents. An unfounded statement, not supported by evidence about foreign embassies involved in the collapse of Armenian statehood. | George Soros, Conspiracy theory, Coup |
9,759 | 02.06.2019 | The MH17 Joint Investigation Team is ignoring information presented by the Buk manufacturer | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-jit-is-ignoring-information-presented-by-the-buk-manufacturer-almaz-antey-during-investigation | Sputnik Germany | Malaysia, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | According to the findings of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which has been investigating the disaster since 2014, the aircraft was attacked with a ground-to-air missile of the Buk series. JIT recently published a new report stating that the missile was fired from an area controlled by the [Donetsk Republic’s] People’s Militia. The rocket is said to have been brought there from Russia. However, this data contradicts the results of more than 100 field experiments of the Buk manufacturer Almaz-Antey, who has even destroyed a disassembled aircraft with a rocket in the course of their own investigations. The arms company accused investigators of ignoring important technical data of the rocket and of adapting their conclusion to an already prefabricated opinion. | The claims by Buk manufacturer Almaz-Antey were debunked already in 2015 by Bellingcat.The Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy. At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH17, was taken back to the Russian Federation.On 24 May 2018, JIT stated that the BUK-TELAR that was used to down MH17 originates from the 53rd Anti Aircraft Missile brigade, a unit of the Russian army from Kursk in the Russian Federation. The JIT reached this conclusion after extensive comparative research. An animation of this comparative research is available here.The European Union and NATO have called on the Russian Federation to accept its responsibility and to fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability. On the basis of the JIT’s conclusions, the Netherlands and Australia said that they are convinced that Russia is responsible for the deployment of the Buk installation that was used to down MH17.More cases on MH17 flight here. | Eastern Ukraine, Donbas, War in Ukraine, MH17 |
9,760 | 02.06.2019 | Political scandal in Austria was a CIA operation to stop the construction of NordStream 2 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/political-scandal-in-austria-was-a-cia-operation-to-stop-the-construction-of-nordstream-2 | Rossia 24 | Austria, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The political scandal in Austria was in fact an operation by the CIA to deliver a blow to the forces that were positive about political and economic cooperation with Russia. It is a part of a larger task, set by President Trump, to stop the construction on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. | Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about political scandal in Austria, Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and US presence in Europe. There is no evidence of Strache-affair being part of a CIA operation, nor any ground to claim that political events in Austria were related to the construction of Nord Stream 2. Both German magazine Der Spiegel and newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung have been open about their investigation. According to the media outlets, they obtained the video footage in May 2019 and published it after verifying its authenticity. The media has not disclosed who provided the video in order to protect their sources. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about the source of the video, without giving any evidence to back their claims. | Heinz-Christian Strache, Nord Stream 2, Intelligence services |
9,761 | 02.06.2019 | International Court of Justice has no jurisdiction over war in the Donbas and the annexation of the Crimea | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-war-in-the-donbas-and-the-annexation-of-the-crimea-do-not-fall-under-the-jurisdiction-of-the-international-court-of-justice | gazeta.ru,ukraina.ru | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The annexation of the Crimea and the start of the Russian war in Donbas cannot be considered acts of terrorism against Ukraine. Kyiv has no right to file a lawsuit against Russia, and the International Court of Justice does not have jurisdiction to consider such a case. | The lawsuit referred to was filed by then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in early 2017. Ukraine accuses Russia of financing terrorism and violating the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism: Kyiv intends to call the Russian side to account for the war in the Donbas and the occupation of the Crimea. The hearings, which took place in The Hague from 3-7 June, should determine whether the court has the authority to hear the case. It’s too early to say that the UN International Court of Justice has no jurisdiction to consider a number of cases related to Russia's aggression - it may take about half a year to do so. Earlier, the tribunal already met part of the requirements of Ukraine to Russia under one of the conventions - on the prohibition of racial discrimination. In 2017, the court issued a temporary decision, according to which Russia must stop the persecution of the Crimean Tatars, to allow the activities of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and to ensure accessibility of education in the Ukrainian language in the annexed Crimea. Russia ignored these requirements. Read further debunk by StopFake. | ICJ, War crimes |
9,762 | 02.06.2019 | Jewish prime minister and president of Ukraine are a cover up for country's Nazism | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/jewish-prime-minister-and-president-of-ukraine-are-a-cover-up-for-countrys-nazism | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukrainians are Nazis. Ukraine is adopting Nazi laws. A Jewish prime minister and a Jewish president are a cover up. Ukraine lives by the Nazi ideology and its national holidays are Nazi too. | Conspiracy theory, without evidence. One of the many recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Nazi Ukraine. | Nazi/Fascist |
9,763 | 02.06.2019 | The Green party in Germany represents neo-liberal policies of US and is funded by Soros to stop the Nord Stream 2 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-green-party-in-germany-represents-neo-liberal-policies-of-us-and-is-funded-by-soros-to-stop-the-nord-stream-2 | Rossia 24 | Germany | Outlet language(s)
Russian | So called Green Khmer – the Green party may come to power in Germany. They represent the neo-liberal policies that originates in the US and are funded to a large extent by Soros. These are the political forces that will attempt to stop the Nord Stream 2. | Conspiracy theory consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about US presence in Europe and George Soros. The Alliance 90/The Green Party in Germany has been known to advocate environmental protection and sustainable development for decades. | Nord Stream 2, US presence in Europe, George Soros |
9,764 | 02.06.2019 | US is against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline because it wants to destroy Europe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-is-against-the-nord-stream-2-pipeline-because-it-wants-to-destroy-europe | Rossia 24 | US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | US is against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline because America wants to destroy Europe, as one of its main economic competitors. The destruction of Europe is going to happen through the increase in the energy prices, to make its economy uncompetitive, and by ripping UK out from Europe. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US presence in Europe. The US Congress has been opposing the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Europe as a threat to energy and national security of European allies. Such position is shared by the European Parliament as well. | Nord Stream 2, US presence in Europe |
9,765 | 01.06.2019 | Georgian snipers shooting during Euromaidan in Kyiv | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/shooting-during-the-euromaidan-in-kyiv-was-conducted-by-georgian-snipers | RT Germany - YouTube | Georgia, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
German | Georgian snipers were shooting during the Euromaidan in Kyiv. | Recurring disinformation that the snipers were directed by the Maidan leaders, and that they were Georgian. No evidence given to prove that in 2014 any “Georgian snipers” conducted shooting during the Euromaidan in Kyiv. Pro-Kremlin disinformation has spread different versions of the identity of the snipers. For further debunking about recurring disinformation on Georgian snipers, see StopFake, Myth Detector, The Insider and Polygraph. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. See the full debunk here. | Ukrainian statehood, Euromaidan, War in Ukraine |
9,766 | 01.06.2019 | Ethnic English are a minority in London | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/british-are-in-a-minority-in-london | myvideo.ge Resource | UK | Outlet language(s)
Georgian | Majority of the population of London comprises foreigners, while ethnic English make up only one-third of the local residents. | Recurring disinformation narrative about the Islamisation of Europe and the Europeans losing their identity. Similar cases can be found here, here, and here. Office for National Statistics of Great Britain published data for 2018 regarding the place of birth of the population living in Great Britain. According to the statistics, the majority (8.89 million) of the population living in London, 63,52%, is born on the territory of the United Kingdom. The share of non-British citizens of the EU makes up 11.49%, while the others (non-EU member European countries, Asia, Africa, North America, South, and Latin America, Oceania) constitute 24,87%. | migration, Muslim/Islam |
9,767 | 01.06.2019 | The US prepares Moldova for a hybrid war with Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-prepares-moldova-in-hirbrid-war-with-russia | Moldavskie Vedomosti,newsmd.md,syfeed.com - Russian,Newspmr.com | Moldova, US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US is preparing Moldova for a hybrid war with Russia. The US is working on a coup project in Tiraspol, Transnistria. | No evidence given. Recurring disinformation suggesting that the US is using Moldova against Russia. Read other cases referencing the West's alleged interference in Moldova's internal affairs here, here, and here. The USA supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and, on that basis, supports the 5+2 negotiation format to find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria within a unitary and sovereign Moldova. Since 1992, Russia has been closely linked to the appearance of numerous separatist entities: in South Ossetia and Abkhazia (Georgia), Transnistria (Moldova), Donbas (Ukraine) - as well as to the illegal annexation of Crimea (Ukraine). Further debunking on the frozen conflicts. The EU participates as an observer in the 5+2 negotiation process on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. It continues to support a comprehensive, peaceful settlement based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova with a special status for Transnistria. Together with the OSCE Chairmanship in Office, the EU supports an output-oriented approach to the 5+2 with a view to achieving a tangible impact in the lives of the citizens from both banks of the Nistru River. Further reading about Transnistria narratives here. | Transnistria, Hybrid war |
9,768 | 01.06.2019 | WikiLeaks confirms that the video of the US Moon landing was staged | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/wikileaks-confirms-that-the-video-of-the-us-moon-landing-was-staged | topcor.ru,KM.ru | US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | WikiLeaks released a Moon landing cut scenes filmed in Nevada desert, confirming that the Americans have not been on the Moon. The publication of the video is revenge for the arrest of Julian Assange by the UK authorities on Washington’s orders. | WikiLeaks did not publish this video. The user who published the video on Youtube is promoting mainly conspiracy content on his account.Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative based on one of the most common conspiracy theories in the world. There is a substantial amount of evidence that on July 20, 1969, astronauts landed on Earth's satellite for the first time in the history of mankind. Since then, a total of 12 American astronauts have visited the Moon. On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, experts from NASA posted a three-hour recording of the landing of the ship on the surface of Earth's satellite. On the frames it is perfectly visible how the astronauts work on the surface of the moon. You can also see photo panoramas from the Moon, created for the anniversary of the Moon landing. NASA experts connected images from the landing sites of all the missions of Apollo, which landed on Earth's satellite. | Moon landing, Julian Assange, Conspiracy theory |
9,769 | 31.05.2019 | Moscow is not a party in the internal Ukrainian conflict | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/moscow-is-not-a-party-in-the-internal-ukrainian-conflict | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | Ukraine accuses Moscow of interfering in the internal affairs of the country. Russian authorities consider such statements inadmissible and reject them, because Moscow is not a party of the internal Ukrainian conflict and is interested in Kyiv overcoming the political and economic crisis. | Recurring Kremlin narrative about the lack of evidence of the presence of Russian troops involved in war in the East of Ukraine. There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government". The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation" At the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014, NATO leaders condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in the strongest terms and demanded that Russia stop and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and along the country’s border. NATO leaders also demanded that Russia comply with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities; end its illegitimate occupation of Crimea; refrain from aggressive actions against Ukraine; halt the flow of weapons, equipment, people and money across the border to the separatists; and stop fomenting tension along and across the Ukrainian border. According to the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian special forces and troops operated to mobilise, lead, equip, and support separatist militias in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from spring 2014 to the present, although their presence was denied by Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015. | Civil war, War in Ukraine |
9,770 | 31.05.2019 | Chemical weapons - a false pretext to attack Assad since the very beginning | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/chemical-wepons-were-a-false-pretext-to-attack-assad-since-the-very-beginning | fr.sputniknews.com | Syria, US | Outlet language(s)
French | The battle for Idlib is raging as Washington accuses Assad of using chemical weapons again. The evidence put forward seems to be weak, moreover, it contradicts the official version. What is really happening? A document from a sub-team of engineers working with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), involved in the assessment of the Duma chemical attack in April 2018, has recently been leaked. It concluded that the on-site chlorine cylinders were more likely placed there by hand rather than having fallen from an aircraft, as indicated in the final report. In April 2018, the United States made false claims about the Syrian army using chemical weapons. It has been shown that these claims were false already before the leaks that just happened. It is not even a sub-team, it’s a team that was led by an engineer known in his field and perfectly competent and he was officially responsible for doing this investigation. But the OPCW deliberately dismissed this report from this engineer who said: “No, it is not possible that it was the Syrian army that did that.” It was already a false pretext in April 2018. And today as the Syrian army is about to liquidate the terrorists, to finish with the precincts of Idlib, obviously the organisations that are against this are advancing their outdated narrative saying: “the Syrian government uses chemical weapons, so you have to hit.” | Recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from the Assad regime; painting the White Helmets as cooperating with terrorists or terrorists themselves; and aiming to discredit the OPCW. The "new leaked report" appears to be an engineering assessment carried out by one individual who, contrary to Sputnik's false claim, was never a member of the Fact-Finding Mission and is not currently employed by the organisation. The individual, however, was affiliated with the OPCW as an engineer and apparently had access to materials gathered in the course of the Douma FFM, and based his/her conclusions on the same evidence pool. An OPCW press statement confirms that "all information was taken into account, deliberated, and weighed when formulating the final report regarding the incident in Douma." The OPCW Technical Secretariat is conducting an internal investigation about the unauthorised release of the document in question. Regardless of the authenticity of the leaked document, its conclusion that the cylinders could not have been dropped from the air: a) has been addressed in the actual OPCW report on Douma (Annex 6, pp. 55-56); b) does not support the outlandish claim that the incident was staged and represents a false accusation against the Syrian regime. The White Helmets have not once been caught staging anything, and the version of the staged chemical attacks in Douma in 2018 was never "official". See more disinformation cases on the subject and their debunking for more details. | OPCW, West, White Helmets, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,771 | 31.05.2019 | A Ukrainian general has conspired against Zelenskyy | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-generals-have-conspired-against-zelensky | pl.sputniknews.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Polish | A Ukrainian general in Donbas ignored the orders of President Zelenskyy to establish a ceasefire. Instead, he ordered to continue military actions. | This message is aimed to question the powers and legitimacy of Ukrainian authorities and is consistent with a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukrainian statehood. There have been no statements made by President Zelenskyy or his representatives concerning the alleged violation of ceasefire by the Ukrainian Army and insubordination of high-ranking military officers to Ukraine’s president. The claim concerning insubordination is based on a statement of a security functionary from the unrecognized Luhansk People's Republic and has not been confirmed by other independent sources. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Military, Conspiracy theory, Donbas |
9,772 | 31.05.2019 | Evidence that Russia is not responsible for the downing of MH17 was not admitted | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/evidence-that-russia-is-not-responsible-for-the-downing-of-mh17-was-not-admitted | Pervyi Kanal | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Russia submitted various evidence to prove it had nothing to do with the downing of the flight MH17, but it was not admitted. The types of missile that hit the MH17 were destroyed in Russia already in 2011. Such missiles simply no longer exist in Russia. | One of the many recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the downing of MH17. The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy (or: Pervomaiskyi). At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH-17, was taken back to the Russian Federation. In 2018, Bellingcat confirmed that the BUK missile launcher which hit the airline near Donetsk was brought from Russia. See more on the investigation of the MH17 catastrophe by Bellingcat here. | MH17 |
9,773 | 31.05.2019 | Russia is demonised by being blamed for the downing of MH17 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-is-demonised-by-being-blamed-for-the-downing-of-mh17 | Pervyi Kanal | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine immediately accused Russia for the downing MH17. Then they claimed that some other plane shot down the MH17 with air-to-air missile, then – that it was a surface-to-air missile. First came the accusation, then facts. It is demonisation of Russia. | One of the many recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the downing of MH17. Pro-Kremlin media has promulgated many conflicting versions of the events.The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy (or: Pervomaiskyi). At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH-17, was taken back to the Russian Federation.In 2018, Bellingcat confirmed that the BUK missile launcher which hit the airline near Donetsk was brought from Russia.See more on the investigation of the MH17 catastrophe by Bellingcat here. | Russophobia, MH17 |
9,774 | 31.05.2019 | Russia could not have shot down the flight MH17 because of the moral imperatives of its authorities | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-could-not-have-shot-down-the-flight-mh17-because-of-the-moral-imperatives-of-its-authorities | Pervyi Kanal | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | There is not a single piece of evidence that would confirm that Russia was involved in the downing of the MH17. Even if there was evidence that Russia shot it down, Russia could not have done it, because of the moral imperatives of its authorities. | One of the many recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the downing of MH17.The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy (or: Pervomaiskyi). At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH-17, was taken back to the Russian Federation.In 2018, Bellingcat confirmed that the BUK missile launcher which hit the airline near Donetsk was brought from Russia.See more on the investigation of the MH17 catastrophe by Bellingcat here. | Russophobia, MH17 |
9,775 | 31.05.2019 | It is unlikely that the truth about the downing of MH17 will soon be found | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/it-is-unlikely-that-the-truth-about-the-downing-of-mh17-will-soon-be-found | Pervyi Kanal | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | It is unlikely that the truth about this awful tragedy will come out any time soon. No one is really interested to investigate it. The matter of MH17 will be brought forward and put away when based on political expedience, just like with the Skripal case. | One of the many recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the downing of MH17 and poisoning of Sergei Skripal.There is ample evidence that Russia was behind the downing of the flight MH17 and poisoning of Sergei Skripal.The Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team has concluded that flight MH17 was shot down on 17 July 2014 by a missile of the 9M38 series, launched by a BUK-TELAR, from farmland in the vicinity of Pervomaiskiy (or: Pervomaiskyi). At that time, the area was controlled by pro-Russian fighters. The BUK-TELAR was brought in from the territory of the Russian Federation and subsequently, after having shot down flight MH-17, was taken back to the Russian Federation.The British government, together with the police, conducted a broad investigation into the fact of Skripal's poisoning. Through the media, investigators published most of the results of the investigation and evidence. It is separately emphasised that only Russia had the technical capabilities, experience and motive for the attack. EU and all EU Member States have supported the conclusions of the British investigation. | Sergei Skripal, MH17 |
9,776 | 31.05.2019 | 9/11 was a Jewish-Zionist job | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/israel-did-9-11 | fort-russ.com | Israel, US | Outlet language(s)
English | We cannot stop the cycle of unrelenting imperialism until we speak with certainty why the wheels are spinning in the first place. 9/11 was a Jewish-Zionist job. 17 years on, it’s beyond overdue that everyone says it. 9/11 is Jewry’s crime. | An unfounded, anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, presented without any evidence. Anti-Semitism is occasionally present in pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts. More on the topic here and here. | Anti-Semitism, Conspiracy theory |
9,777 | 31.05.2019 | Russia sanctions kill livestock in Finland | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/sanctions-against-russia-announced-by-finland-behind-farmers-crisis | mv-lehti.net | Finland, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Finnish | Sanctions against Russia announced by Finland are the cause of the farmers’ crisis. Russia sanctions are killing Finnish livestock. It is false to state that Crimea was annexed. It was a democratic and geopolitical reaction by the autonomous Crimean administration to the coup d’état in Kyiv, which forced Ukraine’s Russian population to respond to the anti-Russian security threat. | No evidence given. It was Russia that banned the import of most of the food products from the EU, US, and other countries after Western countries introduced sanctions in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and its deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine. Farmers in Finland are indeed facing economic problems, but the food import ban by Russia is only one of the reasons. The producer price for milk has decreased at the same time as energy and fertiliser prices have gone up. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that "the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation". This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian government. The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation." Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015. Human rights missions that travelled to Ukraine in 2014 did not find any evidence that the Russian minority was in danger: 1. The Advisory Committee’s Ad-hoc Report on the situation of national minorities in Ukraine, adopted on 1 April 2014, Council of Europe; 2. Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 15 June 2014; 3. Statement by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities on her Recent Visit to Ukraine, 4 April 2014. MV-lehti's editor-in-chief resided for years in occupied Donetsk and founded another media outlet there. In the "About" section of the website the war in Ukraine is described as a "civil war", which is recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation. See the archived version of the web page here. | illegal annexation, Anti-Russian, Ethnic Russians, Crimea, Sanctions, Coup |
9,778 | 30.05.2019 | US is attacking Eastern Orthodox Churches to create instability in Europe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-is-attacking-eastern-orthodox-churches-to-create-instability-in-europe | southfront.org | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | The US continues its practice of creating zones and lines of chaos in key regions of the world. In the 2000s, it started a campaign to create an arc of instability stretching from Northern Africa to the east of the Central Asia. Now, more and more signals appear showing that there is a new project – to create a crescent of instability in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. These campaigns actively exploited the religious factor in an attempt to undermine and discredit traditional religious systems. In the case of the Middle East, the target is Sunni Islam. It is being targeted by instigating various Islamic sects. In Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, various artificial schismatic groups are used to combat the canonical Orthodox Church. In both cases, foreign powers have also been exploiting and supporting exotic sects, new-age-style beliefs and other “neo-liberal” constructs. | A conspiracy theory, presented without any support of evidence. See here for the most common pro-Kremlin narratives. | Eastern Europe, Orthodox Church, Conspiracy theory |
9,779 | 30.05.2019 | Global power is in the hands of powerful elite groups - Zionists, US imperialists and militarists | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/global-power-is-in-the-hands-of-powerful-elite-groups-zionists-us-imperialists-and-militarists-eurocratic-elites-deep-states-petro-monarchies-and-oligarchies-of-various-countries-the-bild | it.sputniknews.com | Italy | Outlet language(s)
Italian | Global power is in the hands of powerful elite groups – Zionists, US imperialists and militarists, eurocratic elites, deep states, petro-monarchies, and oligarchies of various countries. These elite groups cooperate among themselves to protect their power and privileges, to control the people, and to deceive the latter into believing that the people rule and that the system is democratic. The Bilderberg group was created in order to enable such elite groups to forge alliances and work out strategies to protect their own interests. | Conspiracy theory, often used in pro-Kremlin disinformation, about the Bilderberg Group asserting that its members are plotting the New World Order and are hell-bent on global domination. Also linked with the broader Zionist conspiracy. There is no evidence that the Bilderberg Group represents a “shadow world government”. Its attendees – politicians, economists, journalists, etc – claim the group is simply a debating society taking place outside the glare of the political spotlight. | Secret elites / global elites |
9,780 | 30.05.2019 | The European foreign policy is determined by a group of Russophobes controlled from the US | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-european-foreign-policy-is-determined-by-a-group-of-russophobes-controlled-from-the-us | Sputnik Estonia - Russian | US, Baltic states | Outlet language(s)
Russian | An aggressive group of Russophobes inside the European Union today determines the entire European foreign policy. This group is controlled by the US. In addition, the Baltic States constantly pursue a Russophobic policy to convince Europe that they are needed as a barrier against the spread of Moscow’s influence. But Moscow has never interfered in their policies. | No evidence given. This is a conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russophobia and deep state. The EU’s foreign and security policy, designed to resolve conflicts and foster international understanding, is based on diplomacy and respect for international rules. Read more about EU foreign and security policy here. Russia's attempts at interfering in democratic processes in Europe have been well documented. | Anti-Russian, European Union, Encircling Russia, Destabilising Russia, Europe, Russophobia, Baltic states |
9,781 | 30.05.2019 | The US are preparing for nuclear weapons testing | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-usa-actions-are-the-preparation-for-nuclear-weapons-testing | ru.armeniasputnik.am | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US are preparing for nuclear weapons testing. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on the US' nuclear ambitions. Similar cases are here and here. The Partial Test Ban Treaty or Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in Atmosphere, In Outer Space and Under Water was signed by the US in 1963. Treaty prohibited all test detonations of nuclear weapons except for those conducted undergrounds. Later in 1996 was signed Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments. US has not ratified CNTBT, but announced a moratorium on nuclear testing in 1992. | Nuclear issues |
9,782 | 30.05.2019 | The US may be preparing to restart nuclear tests | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-preparing-restart-nuclear-tests | mundo.sputniknews.com,mundo.sputniknews.com,actualidad.rt.com | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | The accusations of the US that Russia is carrying out low-yield nuclear tests are actually intended to cover its own nuclear tests, which may be resumed soon on a bigger scale, according to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. | No evidence given to sustain the claim. The US hasn’t carried out any nuclear tests since 1992 and there are no hints that it is preparing to resume them. The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and its representatives seems to be a classical defensive affirmation, launching accusations against the other side after being accused itself. You can see other similar cases here, here and here. | Nuclear issues |
9,783 | 30.05.2019 | Four former Polish foreign ministers are hesitant towards Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/four-former-polish-foreign-ministers-are-ambivalent-towards-ukraine | pl.sputniknews.com | Poland | Outlet language(s)
Polish | Four former Polish Ministers of Foreign Affairs, who have recently become Members of the EU Parliament, are more or less anti-Russian and have a hesitant attitude towards Ukraine. | This message misrepresents the positions on Ukraine of the former Polish foreign ministers, and is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about abandoned Ukraine. The statements and actions of these Ministers clearly show their full support to Ukraine. All of them believe that a free and independent Ukraine is in the main strategic interest of the Eastern policy of Poland. Despite certain problems in bilateral relations, neither of these ministers have deviated from the strategic partnership with Ukraine. Here are the official statements of the ministers mentioned in the article, confirming their positive attitude towards Ukraine as they were in office - Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Anna Fotyga, Radosław Sikorski, Witold Waszczykowski. See other disinformation cases about Polish-Ukrainian relations. | Abandoned Ukraine |
9,784 | 30.05.2019 | The Chernobyl series shows that the Soviets aren’t really people | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/chernobyl-series-shows-that-soviet-people-arent-really-people | aif.ru | USSR, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In one of the scenes, a “wall of lies” was added, with the caring hand of the screenwriters. For what reason? To show viewers that Soviet people aren’t really people. | No evidence given. This is a disinformation narrative about the Chernobyl accident in 1986, as well as about the West's anti-Russian and anti-Soviet sentiments. According to HBO, Chernobyl, a "five-part mini-series co-production from HBO and Sky, dramatises the story of the 1986 nuclear accident, one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history — and of the sacrifices made to save Europe from unimaginable disaster". In his interview with VICE News, Craig Mazin, the screenwriter of the series, mentions that he wanted to depict not only the catastrophe but also the Soviet people who prevented it from being even worse. "As I’ve said many times—yes, the villain in this story is the Soviet system. But the hero of this story, collectively, are the Soviet people," Mazin said. According to Mazin, the film crew tried to follow what really happened, without over-fictionalising or over-dramatising. "We had a basic rule of thumb: If you had to change something to be able to tell the story, narratively, then that was the only reason we could change it. We couldn’t change things to make them scarier; we couldn’t change things to make them more dramatic, or more sensational, or more horrifying," Mazin mentioned in the interview. More about Russia's state media reaction to the "Chernobyl" series is here and here. | Nuclear issues, Chernobyl, Anti-Russian, Russophobia |
9,785 | 29.05.2019 | The IMF has completely killed Ukrainian economy | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-imf-is-not-a-partner-of-ukraine-the-countrys-economy-was-completely-killed-because-of-the-fund | ren.tv | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The IMF cannot be a partner of Ukraine and it is killing the Ukrainian economy. | The main goal of the International Monetary Fund is to prevent the expansion of the economic crisis. The comprehensive reform program in Ukraine, supported by IMF loans, is aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, promoting sustainable growth and strengthening economic governance and transparency. Vox Ukraine notes that if Ukraine had not cooperated with the Fund at all, most likely the level of its economic development would now be lower, since the IMF provides not only loans, but also technical assistance, particularly, in the development of regulatory acts. The last two cooperation program with the IMF were signed to overcome the effects of a large-scale economic crisis that unfolded in 2014–15 due to a significant decline in production, a reduction in trade volumes and the loss of part of the territory as a result of Russian aggression. See here for a similar disinformation case. | Ukraine, economy, IMF |
9,786 | 29.05.2019 | The EU Association Agreement destroyed the Ukrainian economy | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/association-agreement-destroyed-ukrainian-economy | rusvesna.su | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The terms of the [Association] agreement were obviously disadvantageous [for Ukraine] and it has ultimately destroyed the Ukrainian economy. The Ukrainian industry is degrading. In fact, the country has turned into a raw material appendage of Europe. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Ukraine and its relations with the European Union. In June 2014, the EU and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and the respect for common values. See here for more details about EU-Ukraine relations. The total trade turnout increased to 50 bln USD in 2018. During 2015-2018, Ukraine also increased its export to the EU from 13 bln USD to 23 bln USD. Overall, in 2018 Ukrainian export to the EU increased by 13,1%. Now, the EU accounts for almost half of Ukrainian export. See here for further information about the DCFTA and the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. | Ukraine, economy, European Union |
9,787 | 29.05.2019 | Rise in German anti-Semitism caused by mass immigration | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/rise-in-german-anti-semitism-caused-by-mass-immigration | RT English | Germany | Outlet language(s)
English | Amid a recent surge of anti-Semitic attacks in Germany, many see this worrying trend as a side effect of mass immigration from Muslim-majority countries, long encouraged by Chancellor Angela Merkel. According to a 2018 EU survey, more and more German Jews feel that “nothing is being done” about anti-Jewish crime and abuse. | Pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory about the creeping Islamisation of Europe, painting immigrants from Muslim-majority countries as inherently violent and immune to cultural assimilation. The report offers no data to support the link between immigration volumes and the number of anti-Semitic incidents, relying instead on statements of opinion and assurances that such a link has been made by "many observers," without further elaboration. Contrary to the report's central premise, an expansive 2018 study finds "no evidence that MENA [Middle Eastern and North African] migrants make any significant contribution to antisemitism at a societal level" in any of the five EU countries surveyed (p. 29), or any data which would suggest a "significant connection between recent MENA migrants and the extent and character of antisemitism in Western Europe" (ibid.). The individual quoted as saying that "nothing is being done" about the problem was a Dutch woman (see p. 39 of the report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights), not a German individual. RT previously misattributed the quote to "one French woman" in an article about anti-Semitism in France. The EU recognizes anti-Semitism as a serious social and security concern -- see here for a summary of EU-wide efforts to tackle it. | Anti-Semitism, Islamisation, Refugees, European Union, Islamic extremism, Muslim/Islam, Migration crisis |
9,788 | 29.05.2019 | Ukraine is a source of cheap raw materials and an anti-Russian springboard | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-related-priorites-are-cheap-raw-materials-and-labour-force-for-the-eu-and-an-anti-russian-srpingboard-for-the-us | imhoclub.by,Sozh | US, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In 2014 Ukrainian nationalists, supported by radicals, organized a coup. They captured the whole state and unleashed a civil conflict. It turned out that Western masters have little interest in Ukraine’s domestic politics because the EU got the main thing: a source of cheap raw materials, labour force and an open market. Furthermore, the EU destroyed competitive branches of Ukraine’s industry. In turn, the US received a new anti-Russia springboard with a frozen military conflict and, potentially, a new buyer of liquified gas. | This is disinformation consistent with a collection of recurring pro-Kremlin narratives alleging a coup d’état in Ukraine and civil war, abandoned Ukraine, Ukraine's hyper-dependence on the West, and Ukraine as an anti-Russian project. The spontaneous onset of massive Euromaidan protests was a reaction of the Ukrainian population to the sudden departure of the President Yanukovych from the Association Agreement with the European Union and to the brutal dispersal of student protest actions on 30 November 2013. The 2014 events cannot be named a coup d'état because, after Yanukovych's escape, the new President was elected in free and fair elections. According to the OSCE, "the people of Ukraine had the opportunity to genuinely express their will at the ballot box". Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. The EU and US support the democratic development of Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter’s principles of non-interference into internal affairs and respect towards territorial integrity and political independence. Furthermore, there is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine. The claim that the EU destroyed competitive branches of Ukraine's industry is unfounded. Thanks to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, Ukraine increased its exports to the EU from EUR 13.2b to EUR 18b in 2016-2018. See further information about the DCFTA and the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. | Anti-Russian, European Union, Abandoned Ukraine, Conspiracy theory, Coup |
9,789 | 28.05.2019 | The Ukrainian army is shelling residential areas in Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-army-is-shelling-residential-areas-in-donbas | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | At 5 a.m. on 28 May 2019, the Ukrainian Armed Forces again opened massive fire in Donbas using heavy weapons, shelling residential areas. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine that makes false claims about Ukraine's aggression. On 28 May 2019, the Special Monitoring Mission recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in the Donetsk region (about 100 explosions) and more in the Luhansk region (about 80 explosions), as compared with the previous day. The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement areas. Specifically, it did not record any "massive shelling" from the Ukrainian side. | Ukraine, DNR, Eastern Ukraine, Donetsk, LNR, Donbas, War in Ukraine |
9,790 | 28.05.2019 | The hand of Soros: Sebastian Kurz was dismissed for "friendship" with Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-hand-of-soros-sebastian-kurz-was-dismissed-for-friendship-with-russia | tsargrad.tv | Austria, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | George Soros is behind the dismissal of the former Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz for “friendship” with Russia. | No evidence given. Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives portraying philanthropist George Soros as a menace bent on weakening Russia. A no-confidence vote was passed by Austria's parliament in a special session, resulting in Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's removal from office . There is no evidence of the Strache affair being part of a master-plan against Austria or its chancellor. Both German magazine Der Spiegel and newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung have been open about their investigation. According to the media outlets, they obtained the video footage in May 2019 and published it after verifying its authenticity. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about this case, without giving any evidence to back their claims. | Sebastian Kurz, Heinz-Christian Strache, George Soros, Conspiracy theory |
9,791 | 28.05.2019 | EU experts: No Russian meddling in the elections to the European Parliament 2019 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/eu-experts-no-russian-meddling-in-the-elections-to-the-european-parliament-2019 | Katehon - English | Germany, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | The EU itself admits that no large-scale Russian attempt to interfere in the elections to the European Parliament was seen in the last months.The biggest chunk of the disinformation is, according to the EU experts, “motivated by the populist and anti-establishment sentiment”. The observed “level of disinformation and online manipulation” is “normal”. | Misrepresented quote. The claim refers to the Disinformation Review Issue #150, where one can read:But in the final days leading up to the vote, their findings appear to be anticlimactic: expectations of a massive coordinated influence campaign, targeted hack-and-leak operation, or other dramatic cyberattack have seemingly fallen short. The observed level of disinformation and manipulated online activity has been pretty much, well… normal. And much of it, importantly, now appears to be home-grown – motivated by populist, anti-establishment attitudes that are gaining traction across certain segments of the European electorate, and not coordinated directly by Russia or its immediate proxies (but certainly promoted by them!). Compared to past elections, it may indeed seem like we have gotten off easy. But before we breathe a collective sigh of relief, let’s ask ourselves – is this a “normal” that we are willing to accept? Because here is what this new “normal” actually means: it means that the Kremlin’s strategy is succeeding. It means that we risk becoming desensitized – even habituated – to the subversive efforts of a hostile foreign power aimed at damaging our democratic institutions and processes, and the values that have been essential to building a peaceful and prosperous post-World War II Europe. | EU elections 2019, European Parliament, European Union, Manipulated elections/referendum |
9,792 | 28.05.2019 | All-Russian history is highly moral as opposed to the Western one, which is full of violence and evil | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/highly-moral-all-russian-history-as-opposite-to-western-history-full-of-violence-and-evil | Sonar2050 | Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | An important feature of all-Russian history is respect for moral values, which denies evil and violence and does not allow other people to be insulted. The Western history is full of these – crusades, inquisition, Jesuitism, colonialism and present-time intervention against unwanted countries are some examples. It is the high morals of all-Russian and Soviet history which will help to overcome an unworthy and anti-historical policy aimed to disengage the Belarusian and Russian peoples and to disintegrate the post-Soviet space under the pretext of Euro integration and protection of sovereignty. | Conspiracy theory and ungrounded generalisations concerning Russian and Western history, consistent with recurring narratives about the West's moral decay and its attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russia relations. Clear manipulation to give a biased selection of historical events. Russian and Soviet history, just like the story of the West, can hardly be considered free of evil and violence as alleged, given, for example, the Russian conquest of the Caucasus and beyond, or Stalinism and the Great Terror. | Western values, West, Colour revolutions, Conspiracy theory |
9,793 | 28.05.2019 | Gay fascism has long been present in Europe and the US | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/gay-fascism-has-long-been-present-in-europe-and-the-us | teleskop-by.org | US, Belarus | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Sodomy threatens national security and the survival of Belarusians. Gay fascism has long been the case in Europe and the US. A dictatorship of minority human rights aims at the destruction of traditional family values. This is a war against the family which prevents children from being born, i.e. a genocide of a rival nation. For Belarusians, to live so close to Europe and to remain normal is a real heroic act. | This message attacks the LGBTI community in Belarus and contains recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the moral decay of Europe and the propaganda of the morally corrupt West. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the West is degrading, that it exports perversity, brings sodomy to Belarus through Polish Catholic priests and promotes the concept of feminine men. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in Belarus in 1994. However, the systematic restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association in Belarus lead to discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, the May 2019 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus says that Belarus legislation does not have any laws specifically protecting sexual minorities from discrimination. The report reads: "Article 64.9 of the Criminal Code foresees aggravating circumstances for crimes motivated by “hatred or hostility towards any social group”. However, the term “social group” is very vague and prosecutions taking into account the article in regard to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community are reported as rare." See here for more information about the LGBTI rights in Belarus. | Western values, West, European values, LGBT, Europe |
9,794 | 28.05.2019 | The UK embassy in Belarus promotes genocidal and self-destruction policies | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-uk-embassy-in-belarus-promotes-genocidal-and-self-destruction-policies | teleskop-by.org | UK, Belarus | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The recent display of the LGBT flag on the UK Embassy’s building on the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17) is unmitigated gall by the Anglo-Saxon establishment. This is like spitting on the traditional values of Belarusians from the Embassy’s window. The UK Embassy demonstrates that it can do whatever it wants and behaves as if it is in an occupied land. If Belarus decided to protest about this action and to expel the British ambassador, the UK would switch off the SWIFT system, impose sanctions, bring immigrants to and stage mass disorders in Belarus, etc. Legislation of LGBT rights prevents children being born. Hence, the UK Embassy promotes genocide and imposes a policy of self-destruction on Belarusians. | This message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the moral decay of Europe, the propaganda of the morally corrupt West, and its aggressive actions towards Belarus and Belarusian society.After the Belarusian Interior Ministry slammed the UK embassy in Minsk for flying a rainbow flag on the International Day Against Homophobia in 2018, UK Ambassador Fionna Gibb posted a video saying that: "This embassy is once again flying the rainbow flag as we did in 2015, 2017 and 2018. We do so not to promote LGBT, but to promote equal rights for this community. LGBT people are not asking for special rights, but simply to enjoy the same respect, dignity and rights as others. As human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, my government is committed to non-discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity."See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the West is destabilising Belarus with the help of Nazis and LGBT, promotes the concept of feminine men, and attacks the institution of family in Slavic countries. | Western values, West, European values, Genocide, LGBT, Europe, Conspiracy theory |
9,795 | 28.05.2019 | Perverted Europeans will organise sodomy in Minsk during the European Games | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/perverted-europeans-will-organize-sodomy-in-minsk-during-the-european-games | teleskop-by.org | Belarus | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The European Games will shortly be held in Belarus. For this reason, a representative from the Ministry of Interior came to a parent-teacher conference in Minsk and advised parents to take special care of their teenagers during the event. Although he did not say it out loud, the meaning was the following: Perverted Europeans will arrive from Europe where LGBT, marijuana, and prostitution are legalised and paedophilia is thriving, so better keep your children away from the sodomy that the foreigners will organise in Minsk. Belarusians are keeping their kids away from the high numbers of perverted European tourists as if they had the plague. | This message is outright speculation and conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the moral decay of Europe, the propaganda of the morally corrupt West, and its aggressive actions towards Belarus and Belarusian society.The 2nd European Games 2019 will be held in Minsk, Belarus from 21 June to 30 June 2019. The number of foreign tourists is estimated to be at least twice as less compared to the Ice Hockey World Championship hosted by Minsk in 2014 (30,000 vs 70,000 tourists). Then, no extraordinary crimes or aggravations of criminal situations were reported by the Ministry of Interior as being committed by foreign tourists.See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the West is destabilising Belarus with the help of Nazis and LGBT, promotes the concept of feminine men, and attacks the institution of family in Slavic countries. | West, European values, LGBT, Conspiracy theory |
9,796 | 27.05.2019 | The Eastern Partnership Policy was set up against Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eastern-partnership-policy-regards-russia-as-an-enemy-the-policy-was-set-up-against-russia | RT Germany (old) | Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The basic problem with the Eastern Partnership is that it was set up to create an EU zone of influence against Russia in its Eastern neighbourhood. […] As long as Russia is regarded and treated as an enemy, or even an adversary, this policy is inevitably directed against the largest European country and forces Moscow to take appropriate defensive measures. If Europe wants security, it can only be achieved together with Russia. | A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West, and in this case the EU, of encircling Russia.The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Read more about the Eastern Partnership and its priorities here. The Eastern Partnership initiative is not against any country; it is a mutually beneficial and constructive platform for countries in the region to build a closer relationship with the EU, if they choose to do so. The EU does not demand any of its partners to make a choice between the EU or any other country. The Eastern Partnership stands for good neighbourly relations and respects the individual aspirations and ambitions of each partner country. There was in fact a clear record of strong cooperation between the EU and Russia, dating back to 1994, when the two sides negotiated a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Russia was identified as a strategic partner for the EU, and was the only country with which the EU held summits not once, but twice a year. A new EU-Russia agreement was being negotiated up until 2014, at which point talks were suspended due to Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Negotiations were also in train on visa facilitation. There was also cooperation between the EU and Russia on a number of foreign policy issues, some of which continue to this day. The EU and its Member States have maintained a clear policy of reaching out to Russian society and youth, mainly through the Erasmus+ student exchange programme and other people to people contacts. Read more on the most repeated myths about the Eastern Partnership initiative here. | Eastern Partnership, Anti-Russian, European Union, Encircling Russia |
9,797 | 27.05.2019 | There was a coup d’état in Kyiv in February 2014 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/pending-check-there-was-coup-detat-in-kyiv-in-february-2014 | RT Germany (old) | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | Reacting to the coup d’état in Kyiv in February 2014, the authorities of Crimea and Sevastopol declared the peninsula independent. | There was no coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014, this is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Euromaidan and the Crimea Referendum. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. See the full debunk here. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on the 16 March 2014. On the 27 March 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. 5 years on, the EU re-affirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. | Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood, Euromaidan, Coup |
9,798 | 27.05.2019 | Poroshenko’s government created huge debts to the IMF | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poroshenkos-government-was-criminal-for-ukraine-it-has-created-huge-debts-to-the-imf | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The government of the fifth president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has increased debts to the International Monetary Fund as well as the national debt of the country. Poroshenko’s regime was criminal, and the new leadership of Ukraine will now have to repay huge debts that have arisen in the country since 2014. | Recurring disinformation narrative about Petro Poroshenko ruining Ukraine's economy. The national debt of Ukraine is indeed one of the main problems in the development of the country's economy. The Ukrainian government is currently mainly paying the debts of previous governments: Ukrainian prime ministers between 2007 and 2014 borrowed a total of 47 billion dollars. According to the Ukrainian government, the national debt of the country in 2014 was over 60 billion dollars. Under Poroshenko, from 2014 to 2017, the debt only increased by five billion dollars. Moreover, in 2019, Ukraine reduced the size of the national debt to below 60% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product. This happened for the first time since 2014. At the moment, Ukraine’s debt to creditors amounts to 79.82 billion dollars, of which 69.33 billion dollars is direct national debt, and the rest is a state-guaranteed debt on loans from public and private companies. | IMF, Petro Poroshenko |
9,799 | 27.05.2019 | Kremlin always follows the course of non-interference in the affairs of sovereign states | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kremlin-always-follows-the-course-of-non-interference-in-the-affairs-of-sovereign-states | sputnik-abkhazia.ru | Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Europeans are voting for independence and prosperity and this is how Russia wants to see Europe too. The anti-Russian discourse and provocations imposed on EU from across the ocean must come to an end. It is important that the elected MPs be ready for a new approach and dialogue with Russia. Kremlin always follows the course of non-interference in the affairs of sovereign states. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinfo narrative narrative denying the multiple pieces of evidence of Russian interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and violating international norms. See here and here for examples of interference in Georgia, here for Ukraine, here for Armenia and Azerbaijan and here for election meddling. | illegal annexation, election meddling, Occupation, International Law, Crimea |