Unnamed: 0
int64 0
9.96k
| Date
stringlengths 10
10
| Title
stringlengths 17
171
| URL
stringlengths 38
228
| Outlets
stringlengths 3
3.09k
⌀ | Countries
stringlengths 2
1.01k
⌀ | Language
stringclasses 365
values | Summary
stringlengths 27
2.27k
⌀ | Disproof
stringlengths 31
5.08k
⌀ | Keywords
stringlengths 3
259
⌀ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9,800 | 27.05.2019 | Ukrainian agents and extremists may be preparing acts of sabotage in Crimea | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-agents-extremists-preparing-sabotage-crimea | mundo.sputniknews.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | Ukrainian intelligence services and members of extremist organisations may be preparing acts of sabotage in Crimea, namely in the Kerch strait, and provocations against Russian and foreign ships visiting Crimean harbours, according to the chief of the border guard of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FS), general Vladimir Kulishov. | No evidence is provided to support the allegation. These affirmations are consistent with the recurrent Russian narrative of Crimea as legally "reunified" with Russia and Ukraine as a destabilizing force, and Russia's claims about the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait incident. These messages have intensified after the hearing of the International Tribunal for the Law of Sea on May 10 about the detention of Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait. Russia refused to take part in the hearing, saying that the court had no jurisdiction in this case, and is trying to change the framework by insisting in "provocations" by the other part. You can see other examples of this narrative here and here. | Ukraine, Azov sea, Kerch, Crimea |
9,801 | 27.05.2019 | The EU imposes gender neutrality on Georgian kindergartens | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/eu-imposes-gender-neutrality-on-georgian-kindergartens | Ukraina.ru | Georgia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Based on EU recommendations, the Georgian government introduced gender neutral education in kindergartens. Under the new rules, children will not be distinguished by their gender. Children will decide for themselves whether they want to be a girl or a boy in the future. | No evidence given to support this claim. This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the moral decay of Europe and propaganda of the morally corrupt West. The Georgian government’s 2017 professional standards on preschool education outline an inclusive approach to children, i.e. that they should be equally involved in all preschool activities despite their religion, ethnic background, gender, etc. Teachers should not discriminate against children based on their gender and should facilitate their full and equal inclusion in the preschool education programme. These standards stipulate nothing about allowing children to choose their own gender. | children, Western values, European Union, Europe, Conspiracy theory |
9,802 | 26.05.2019 | Ukraine is under the external control of the US | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-under-external-control-of-the-us | NEWSONE - YouTube | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine need to play along with the Americans. They must do everything the United States like because it is they who introduced external control, which Mr. Zelenskyy is not ready to fight. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the EU and US relations with Ukraine. Ukraine is a sovereign state. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The USA recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25th December 1991. U.S. policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. | Ukraine |
9,803 | 26.05.2019 | "Big brothers" in Europe and beyond knocked down the Austrian Chancellor with a "Russian card" | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/big-brothers-in-europe-and-beyond-knocked-down-the-austrian-chancellor-with-a-russian-card | NTV - YouTube | Austria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | It is dangerous to run for leadership positions in the EU. Those who dared to show ambition were sent to knock-out with a “Russian card”. Just before the European Elections Austrian Chancellor is facing a no-confidence vote because of the scandalous video involving the vice-chancellor. […] A scandalous video was not an accident, it was released simultaneously by two German newspapers, the source of the video is not disclosed, the face of a blond woman is blurred out. Strange coincidence – half a year ago Austria media reported that a large Russian spy network is allegedly working in Vienna. The source: German intelligence, who later said they received the information from the Brits. […] The Austrian government resigned, experts are installed instead of ministers, and Kurz was shown he made a wrong bet. Austria with Kurz was the odd one out: supported the Nord Stream II, hosted Russian politicians at the highest level, offered itself as a ground for talks between Europe and Russia, and did not oust Russian diplomats. Kurz obviously wanted to play a unique role in Europe, and that was unacceptable for big brothers – not only in Europe. | Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russophobia and deep state. There is no evidence of Strache-campaign being part of an international 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. 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, Deep state, European Union, Secret services, Russophobia |
9,804 | 25.05.2019 | Russian evidence about Ukraine's implication in MH17 downing is ignored | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russian-evidence-about-ukraines-implication-in-mh17-downing-is-ignored | sputnik.by | The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine may be implicated in MH17 downing. The Joint Investigative Team (JIT) ignores Russian radar data and proof that the missile that fired the Malaysian Boeing 777 belonged to Ukraine. | A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Flight MH17 denying Russia's responsibility. One of many examples of competing and contradictory stories promulgated by Russian state-controlled media on MH17. The Dutch-led criminal investigation by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been ongoing since 2014. On 28 September 2016, the JIT announced that flight MH17 was shot down by a missile from the 9M38 series, which was launched by a BUK TELAR missile system. The system was transported from the Russian Federation to an agricultural field near the town of Pervomaiskyi in Eastern Ukraine, from where the missile was launched. After firing, the system - with 1 missing missile - went back to the Russian Federation. On the 24th of May 2018, the JIT announced its conclusion that the BUK TELAR used to shoot down MH17 came from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, a unit of the Russian armed forces from Kursk in the Russian Federation. On the basis of the investigation conducted by the JIT, consisting of law enforcement agencies from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, Ukraine and the Netherlands, the Dutch Public Persecution service will prosecute Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin, Sergey Nikolayevich Dubinskiy, Oleg Yuldashevich Pulatov and Leonid Volodymyrovych Kharchenko for causing the MH17 crash and murdering the 289 persons on board. The Public Prosecution Service alleges the four cooperated to obtain and deploy the BUK TELAR at the firing location with the aim of shooting down an aircraft. For that reason, they can also be held jointly accountable for downing of flight MH17. The conclusion is corroborated by Bellingcat research. | Conspiracy theory, MH17 |
9,805 | 25.05.2019 | Ukraine is one of the possible perpetrators of the attack on the MH17 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-one-of-the-possible-perpetrators-of-the-attack-on-mh-17 | Sputnik Germany | Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | Ukraine’s responsibility for the downing of the MH17 Boeing five years ago over eastern Ukraine can not be ruled out. The Boeing 777 of Malaysia Airlines crashed on 17 July 2014 in the fiercely contested East Ukrainian Donetsk region. The Ukrainian army and armed government opponents fought fierce battles in the region. The government in Kyiv and the people’s militias of the unrecognised Republic of Donetsk accused each other of shooting down the jet. Even before the investigation began, many Kyiv and Western politicians had blamed the East Ukrainian people’s militias for the alleged shooting and accused Russia of an involvement in the shooting down. | Conspiracy theory that the Ukrainian side was involved in the shooting down of MH17, with no evidence provided. An example on the many competing and occasionally contradictory stories promulgated by Russian state-controlled media on 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 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. Several images of the BUK-TELAR with which MH17 was downed are available. Analysis of these produces a number of characteristics. The combination of these is so special that that can be considered as a fingerprint. This fingerprint has been compared with numerous images of BUK-TELARS, both Ukrainian and Russian ones. 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 LNR, 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. | Conspiracy theory, MH17 |
9,806 | 25.05.2019 | The US is sending a hospital ship to the Caribbean as preparation for an intervention in Venezuela | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-sending-hospital-ship-to-caribbean-as-preparation-intervention-venezuela | actualidad.rt.com | Venezuela | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | The decision to send US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort to the Caribbean is part of the preparations for a military intervention in Venezuela against the government of Nicolas Maduro. | There is no evidence to support the claim that this is part of a wider deployment for a military intervention even if the decision to send the hospital ship near Venezuela has been criticised for alleged contributing to a rise in tensions. The USNS Comfort carries no weapons, has a clearly defined status as a non-combatant vessel and its crew are mostly composed of navy specialists in non-fighting roles and civilians. Similar allegations were made when the same ship was sent to the Colombian coast to treat Venezuelan refugees last November. You can see other examples of disinformation regarding alleged preparations for a military intervention in Venezuela here, here and here. | Nicolas Maduro |
9,807 | 25.05.2019 | Ukraine might be involved in MH17 catastrophe | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-might-be-involved-in-mh17-catastrophe | pl.sputniknews.com | The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Polish | Ukraine might be involved in the MH17 catastrophe when a Boeing Malaysia Airlines air plane crashed in Donbas in 2014. The military unit supplied with the type of missile that hit the plane was located in Stryi town of the Lviv region. | A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Flight MH17. Many competing and contradictory stories are promulgated by Russian state-controlled media on 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. | Donbas, MH17 |
9,808 | 25.05.2019 | Kerch confrontation was a planned provocation | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kerch-confrontation-was-a-planned-provocation | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The incident in the Kerch Strait was a planned provocation used by Petro Poroshenko to impose martial law in Ukraine in the run-up to the presidential elections. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea. No evidence given that the confrontation was a planned provocation. 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 in 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. For further reporting see the Bellingcat, DFRLab and Polygraph. | Azov sea, Kerch, Crimea, Petro Poroshenko |
9,809 | 25.05.2019 | International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has no jurisdiction over Kerch Strait dispute | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/itlos-has-no-jurisdiction-over-kerch-strait-dispute | sputnik-abkhazia.ru,RIA | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has no jurisdiction over the Kerch Strait dispute. The tribunal has no jurisdiction either over naval vessels nor warships. | This is one of the narratives promoted by the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign on Azov sea and the Kerch Strait incident. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ratified by Russia in 1997 and Ukraine in 1999 regulates the legal order for the seas and oceans. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) was established in 1996 on the basis of the Convention. According to Article 288 of the Convention, the tribunal shall have jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention. In its April 16 2019 decision the tribunal ruled that it has jurisdiction over the Kerch Strait dispute. According to Article 298 of the UN Convention, the state has the right not to recognize the tribunal’s jurisdiction over the disputes concerning military activities. This provision, however, refers to military activities rather than warships, as claimed. ITLOS ruled on May 25 after deliberation that the Russian Federation shall immediately release the Ukrainian naval vessels and detained servicemen. Background: On November 25th, 2018, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat 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 in the treaty are considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. | Azov sea, Kerch |
9,810 | 25.05.2019 | Poroshenko instigated the provocation in Kerch Strait to extend his power | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poroshenko-instigated-the-provocation-in-kerch-strait-to-extend-his-power | ukraina.ru | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s ex-president and the author of the provocation in the Kerch Strait, used the conflict to impose martial law in the country and extend his powers. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea. 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 this stretch to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. | Ukraine, Kerch, War in Ukraine |
9,811 | 25.05.2019 | The decision of the UN Tribunal for the Ukrainian sailors is illegitimate | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-decision-of-the-un-tribunal-for-the-ukrainian-sailors-illegitimate | ukraina.ru | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The decision of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to free Ukrainian sailors, whom Russia seized together with ships in the Kerch Strait in 2018, is illegitimate. This incident is not under the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal. | This is another piece of Russian propagandafake about the seizure by Russia of Ukrainian sailors in the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body that deals with legal disputes based on the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Russia's seizure of warships and military personnel violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and customary international law, which guarantees the full immunity of naval ships and their personnel. At a meeting in Hamburg on 25 May, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ordered Russia to immediately release 24 captured Ukrainian servicemen, and also to return to the control of Ukraine warships Berdyansk, Nikopol and Yany-Kapu. The court also stated that it did not find evidence of the Russian version of a provocation by Ukraine in the Kerch Strait. | Azov sea, Kerch |
9,812 | 25.05.2019 | One million Latvian citizens boycotted the EU elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/one-million-latvian-citizens-boycotted-the-eu-elections | Baltijas Balss.lv | Latvia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | One million Latvian citizens boycotted the EU elections. | Manipulative headline. We do not know about the motives of the people who did not cast their ballot. Turnout in Latvia was 33.5%, a slight improvement on the previous figure of 27% in 2014, but far behind the 54% participation rate a decade ago. | EU elections 2019 |
9,813 | 25.05.2019 | NATO’s new military strategy aims to defeat Russia in the new nuclear arms race and to ruin Russia’s economy | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/natos-new-military-strategy-aims-to-defeat-russia-in-the-new-nuclear-arms-race-and-to-ruin-russias-economy | it.sputniknews.com | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Italian | NATO’s new military strategy aims to eliminate Russia as a military and economic competitor. According to this new strategy, NATO must defeat Russia in the nuclear arms race and ruin [“bleed”] Russia’s economy. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, portraying NATO as a threat to peace and having a belligerent agenda. There is no evidence that the new NATO strategy seeks to “eliminate Russia as a military competitor”, nor that it aims to “defeat Russia in the nuclear arms race” and to “ruin the Russian economy”. On the 22nd of May 2019 NATO Allied Chiefs of Defence met in Brussels for the 181st Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session. At the meeting the Allied Chiefs of Defence discussed and signed NATO’s new military strategy. As NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg explained to Welt am Sontag, since 2014 NATO faces a new security environment and new security challenges from the East and from the South. Among the new challenges , according to Stoltenberg, is a heightened Russian nuclear threat. The new NATO military strategy has been developed in order to adapt to this new security environment. Stoltenberg had previously expressed NATO’s concern about Russia’s military build-up and non-compliance of the INF Treaty. He also stated that NATO would not engage in a nuclear arms race with Russia: “NATO has no intention of deploying land-based nuclear missiles in Europe…. but NATO will always take the necessary steps to provide credible and effective deterrence.” | NATO |
9,814 | 24.05.2019 | Victoria Nuland is one of the organisers of Euromaidan in 2014 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/victoria-nuland-is-one-of-the-organizers-of-euromaidan-in-2014 | Russia - Ukraine - YouTube | US, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Former US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was denied a Russian visa, because she is one of the organisers of the Euromaidan in 2014. | The claim that Ms. Nuland is one of the organisers of Euromaidan in 2014 in Ukraine is a part of a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that claims that protests were organised by foreign forces. The Euromaidan protests were a spontaneous reaction among large parts of the Ukrainian population, ignited by the decision of former President Yanukovych not to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. More similar cases here. Background Former US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was indeed denied a Russian visa. Sources in the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Nuland is on the "black list", drawn up in response to US sanctions against Russian citizens. Nuland applied for a Russian visa to take part in a closed international conference in Moscow from May 20 to 21. | Ukraine, Victoria Nuland, Euromaidan |
9,815 | 24.05.2019 | Ukraine might be responsible for the Boeing MH17 crash over the Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/netherlands-admitted-the-guilt-of-ukraine-in-the-crash-of-boeing-mh17-over-the-donbas | russian.rt.com | The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In The Netherlands suspicions are voice that Ukraine might be involved in the crash of the Malaysian Boeing flight MH17, which was shot down on 17 July 2014 in the Donetsk region. The 298 people on board all died. The credibility of the reports, presented by the Joint Investigation Team, have also been questioned. | This is another fake and Russian disinformation about the crash of flight MH17 over the Donbas. The official position of the Netherlands about the catastrophe over the Donbas remains unaltered: Russia's involvement in the attack on the Malaysian Boeing has been proven, it is the Kremlin that was responsible for deploying the Buk missile launcher in the occupied part of Donbas, which was used to destroy the MH17. The conclusions of international experts have been supported by the Netherlands, Australia, the United States, the G7 countries, the EU and NATO. | War crimes, Hybrid war, Donbas, MH17 |
9,816 | 24.05.2019 | European Union will collapse soon | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-union-will-collapse-soon | ru.armeniasputnik.am | UK | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Britain will simply leave for free floating, leaving the European Union.The Brexit story dragged on, because the Euro-optimists did not want to completely sever ties with one of the leading European powers. After all, this can be a very dangerous precedent. The story of Brexit is indeed very undesirable for Brussels. Certain Western experts, political analysts predict the imminent collapse of the European Union. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the EU collapse. Similar cases are here, here, and here. In reaction to the June 23rd 2016 referendum on leaving the EU, President Tusk, President Juncker, President Schulz and Netherlands Prime Minister Rutte made a joint statement: "In a free and democratic process, the British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. We regret this decision but respect it." Furthermore, the heads of state of the remaining 27 EU countries, stated “We are determined to remain united and work in the framework of the EU to deal with the challenges of the 21st century and find solutions in the interest of our nations and peoples," after the informal meeting on 29th of June 2016. Support for the EU, as shown in the latest Eurobarometer poll, remains at historically high levels. | European Commission, Brexit, European Union, Europe |
9,817 | 24.05.2019 | Bucharest leads a "raider" policy towards Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/bucharest-leads-a-raider-policy-towards-ukraine | fondsk.ru | Romania, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Romania intensified its territorial claims to Ukraine. It leads a “raider” policy towards Ukraine. Propaganda of Bucharest in Bucovina region is intended to help this process. In this context, the new unrecognised Ukrainian Church started to support Romanians. | No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy about Romania, with previous record of questioning Ukraine's integrity. There is no evidence that Romania would consider annexing parts of Ukraine. Romania is not conducting propaganda in the Bucovina region. According to the Romanian law, "persons who acquired the Romanian citizenship by birth or adoption and have lost it for reasons non-imputable to them or this citizenship has been revoked without their consent, as well as their descendants to the third degree, can apply to reacquire or can be granted the Romanian citizenship". This refers to Romanian ethnics from different regions, countries. | Occupation, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood |
9,818 | 24.05.2019 | "Chernobyl" series intended to help Rosatom's competitors | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/chernobyl-series-intended-to-help-rosatoms-competitors | kp.ru | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The reason why the HBO series “Chernobyl” is released now (as it’s not linked to a proper anniversary) is because Rosatom, created in 2007, became a dangerous competitor to the US, France and Japan in the area of nuclear energy. Rosatom became a powerful player, especially after the sanctions introduces in 2014. And suddenly, the series tries to show how wild, stupid and careless Russians are, causing an unprecedented ecological catastrophe in Europe with sloppy built reactors. | No evidence given. This is a disinformation narrative about Chernobyl accident in 1986 and a pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory about the West trying to limit the power of Russia. According to HBO, Chernobyl, a "five-part miniseries co-production from HBO and Sky, dramatizes 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". | West, Rosatom, Chernobyl, USSR, Europe |
9,819 | 24.05.2019 | Poroshenko's corruption hampered the West's Russophobic programme | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poroshenkos-corruption-hampered-the-wests-russophobic-programme | news-front.info | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine’s new president Zelenskiy will continue the program, imposed by the West in 2014. This programme is designed to be against Russia. Poroshenko’s policies, the corruption he created, hampered the realisation of the West’s programme, set upon a Russophobic position. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the statehood of Ukraine, portraying it as a failed state under foreign control. Ukraine is a sovereign state. Neither the US, nor the EU control Ukraine. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world, but were violated by Russia in 2014. Also consistent with a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Sovereignty, Petro Poroshenko, Russophobia |
9,820 | 24.05.2019 | Business interests behind protests in Yekaterinburg | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/business-interests-behind-protests-in-yekaterinburg | southfront.org | Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | The protests against the construction of an Orthodox church in Yekaterinburg follow the same pattern as the Maidan movement in Ukraine. What is described as “popular protests” and the “voice of the people,” is nothing but the voice of the big business. The protests have nothing to do with the protection of ecology and the protection of democratic freedoms in Russia: pure commerce, nothing personal. | Conspiracy theory without any evidence. A recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative, describing non-governmental organisations as a tool of industry and foreign intervention. Similar cases here and here. For more information about protests in Yekaterinburg, see here and here. | Orthodox Church, NGO, Protest, Euromaidan |
9,821 | 24.05.2019 | Europeans start grasping Russia's evidence for Ukraine's responsibility for the MH17-disaster | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/europeans-start-grasping-russias-evidence-for-ukraines-responsibility-for-the-mh17-disaster | tsargrad.tv | The Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | More and more Europeans have begun to understand Ukraine’s role in the MH17-disaster. Europeans experts and public figures raise questions on why Ukraine’s guilt is ignored. Still, officials from the investigative team in the Netherlands refuse to comment the evidence, provided by Russian experts. | A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Flight MH17. Many competing and contradictory stories promulgated by Russian state-controlled media on 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. | MH17 |
9,822 | 24.05.2019 | Washington is clearly responsible for the war in Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/washington-is-clearly-responsible-for-the-war-in-donbas | fr.sputniknews.com,Sputnik France - YouTube | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
French | An escalation of violence and a revolt of which we know nothing or almost nothing in the West. 13 thousand deaths that are unknown because the cause seems heard. Not recognized by the international community and because it is pro-Russian self-proclaimed Republic of Donetsk would have no word to say. Who is responsible for these wars? Who continues to pour oil on the fire? Who wants to oppose the European peoples? It’s clearly Washington. Yugoslavia was destroyed because it did not correspond to the geopolitical strategy of Washington, the Atlantists, the neoconservatives, the hawks.. It’s the same situation in Ukraine. Who financed, who paid the Maidan? Who paid Ukrainian extremists to make them physically, violently bring down the democratically elected president of Ukraine? Yanukovich was ousted by Washington because Washington does not want Ukraine to remain in the Russian world at all. | No evidence given. Recurrent conspiracy narrative that there are no naturally grown, grass roots movement in Ukraine and other countries, and the protests are driven only "by Washington". In the case of Ukraine, the 2013 Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. See the previous debunk here. Overwhelming evidence confirms that Russia participates in the conflict with Ukraine sending mercenaries to Donbas. This is happening amid the absence of full Russia-Ukraine demarcation. Last time the demarcation was postponed in 2010. Russian ministry of foreign affairs does not recognize the unilateral demarcation declared by Ukraine after 2014. 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. Former French president François Hollande was a negotiator of the Minsk agreements. He wrote in his memories that it was obvious that Russia and Putin backed the "separatists". Putin said to Poroshenko "I'll crush you" during these negotiation, according to François Hollande. | Donbas |
9,823 | 24.05.2019 | European Union has Nazi Roots | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-union-has-nazi-roots | Sputnik on Twitter,Ukraina.ru,Katehon - English | null | Outlet language(s)
French, Russian, English | The European Union has Nazi Roots. The process of EU integration, from the outset, was coordinated by the CIA to create an anti-Russian geopolitical bloc in Europe. But the CIA did not build the European Union from scratch. The most important contributions were made earlier by the Nazis. | Repeating a disinformation that had been debunked many times before, see e.g. here. The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War.The founders of the EU have no connection with Nazis. The Nazi ideology and the EU are based on opposite values and principles. Read more here. | null |
9,824 | 23.05.2019 | Western embassies impose same-sex marriages to divide Belarusian society | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-embassies-impose-same-sex-marriages-to-divide-belarusian-society | Grodnodaily | UK, Israel, Sweden, US, Belarus | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The LGBT flag waved by the British embassy in Belarus brings destructive consequences to Belarusian society. The US, Swedish and Israel embassies as well as the UN and WHO offices in Belarus also issued statements in support of the LGBT community. Belarusian opposition forces, civic campaigners, human rights defenders and independent media support ‘holers’ [the term used to describe LGBT by former Belarusian Interior Minister Ihar Shunevich] consider May 17th a more important day than Victory Day (May 9th). The promotion of same-sex marriages by foreign actors is aimed to divide Belarusian society, which values family over foreign perversions. Nevertheless, the Belarusian opposition along with the British Embassy continues to impose their values on the whole society. | This message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the morally corrupt West and threatened traditional values, as well as the West's aggressive actions towards Belarus and Belarusian society. It is also aimed at discrediting the democratic Belarusian opposition, civil society and independent media. The UK and other Western embassies did not promote same-sex marriages in Belarus. The British Embassy in Minsk showed support for equal rights for Belarusian LGBT people by flying a rainbow flag for the International Day Against Homophobia. 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 Fiona Gibb posted a video stating "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." According to the May 2019 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, the systematic restrictions on the freedom of expression, assembly and association in Belarus lead to discrimination against the LGBTI community. Belarusian 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 earlier disinformation cases alleging that the UK embassy in Belarus promotes genocidal and self-destructive policies, that the whole Belarusian opposition has become an LGBT community to get financial assistance from the UK, that pro-Western Belarusian opposition prefers commemorating WWII events with swastikas and LGBT symbols and that Schengen visa fees for Belarusians are high, because the number of homosexuals per capita in Belarus is very low. | Western values, West, European Union, LGBT, Conspiracy theory |
9,825 | 23.05.2019 | No proof of Russian involvement in US elections, Salisbury poisoning | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/no-proof-of-russian-involvement-in-us-elections-salisbury-poisoning | sputniknews.com | UK, US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently stated that that Russia runs a global campaign of cyber warfare to target foreign governments. It is only the latest in a long string of unsubstantiated allegations which Western officials have made against Moscow. These include the Kremlin’s supposed election interference in the US and elsewhere, as well as a leading role in the Skripal poisoning. But now this “Russia Gate” has collapsed, thanks to the Mueller report, which found no conclusive proof of Russian interference. No evidence has been presented to support either of these claims. | The article advances recurring pro-Kremlin narratives denying any Russian role in Western election meddling or the Skripal poisoning. Any accusations made against the Kremlin, however well-founded, are invariably met with knee-jerk charges of Russophobia. Russia has a documented track record of interfering in Western elections -- see our list of reports and analyses on the subject here. The claim that the US Special Counsel investigation found no conclusive proof of Russian interference is false. The fact of Moscow's meddling was already established prior to the publication of the Mueller report. The report itself concurs with this assessment, stating that "[t]he Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion" (p. 1). See our debunking of the "no interference" narrative here. The Skripal poisoning was followed by one of the largest Russian disinformation campaigns to date, with more than 100 contradictory narratives promulgated within two weeks of the incident by pro-Kremlin outlets (pp. 36-38). Russia's role in the poisoning has been extensively documented by law enforcement, open source analysis, and media investigations. See our recent debunking of Moscow's denials here. | Sergei Skripal, election meddling, Robert Mueller, Anti-Russian, Propaganda, European Union, Manipulated elections/referendum, Conspiracy theory, Russophobia |
9,826 | 23.05.2019 | The EU is a neocolonial project | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-is-an-undemocratic-neocolonial-project | Sputnik Germany | null | Outlet language(s)
German | The EU is an undemocratic neocolonial project. We think that the undemocratic project of the European Union (EU) is losing its legitimacy. (…) The resistance of oppressed countries held in neocolonial status is often called “nationalism” by the oppressors to discredit this resistance. The EU is a construction of banks and corporations that secures their domination and profits. (…) Protests against it are suppressed by the comprehensive dismantling of democratic rights as well as new instruments of surveillance and repression. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and on the failed European values. The EU is not neocolonial, but a democratic Union of 28 Member States. The unique feature of the EU is that, although the Member States all remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. The decision-making structure in the EU is defined by the EU treaties. Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ensures the principle of subsidiarity, which guarantees that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Learn more here. | null |
9,827 | 23.05.2019 | The US plans to use Facebook big data analysis for staging colour revolutions in Russia and beyond | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-plans-to-use-facebook-big-data-analysis-for-staging-color-revolutions-in-russia-and-beyond | sputnik.by | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US wants to create an archive of billions of posts made by social media users to do a big data analysis. This will help to identify users in different countries who are critical of their respective Governments, to target these users with specific ads and to get them out on the streets. There was a similar leak after Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony to the US Congress when Bloomberg discovered a collection of Russian users in its Facebook Ads Manager who were ready to commit treason. Apparently, the US prepares a provocative response. | This is a recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory about the US and social media companies. It is consistent with questioning Russian attempts to interfere in the US elections and with a pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's deliberate plans to organise colour revolutions in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. The US Navy is indeed seeking to create an archive of at least 350 billion social media posts from around the world, in order to study how people talk online. There is no proof though that the research has political aims as alleged. In mid-2018, stories were published that Facebook’s advertising tools had algorithmically labelled 65,000 Russians as interested in treason. Facebook reacted by saying that treason was included as a category, given its historical significance. "Given that it is an illegal activity, we’ve removed it as an interest category,” a Facebook spokesperson said. See earlier disinformation messages alleging that Facebook is subservient to American government and security bodies here and here. | Facebook, Colour revolutions, Conspiracy theory |
9,828 | 23.05.2019 | EU Elections are a sham | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/eu-elections-are-a-sham | Sputnik Germany | null | Outlet language(s)
German | The EU elections are a sham democratic “hullabaloo” for an undemocratic and exclusive EU. | Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative questioning the EU institutions' legitimacy and powers..The European Parliament is a directly elected institution. Since 1979, it has been elected by EU voters every 5 years. The last elections were in May 2014 and May 2019.The European Parliament is one of the EU's two law-making bodies. It has constitutional-type and ratification powers. It passes EU laws, together with the Council of the EU, based on European Commission proposals. It has budgetary powers, scrutiny over the executive, hears citizens’ petitions, and appoints the European Ombudsman. A detailed overview of the European Parliament’s role in the European decision-making process can be consulted here.As EU co-operation evolved with time, the European Parliament progressed from a purely advisory role to one of co-decision on an equal footing with the Council. The Lisbon Treaty expanded the number of policies which are subject to ordinary legislative procedure to virtually all areas including the areas of freedom, security and justice, external trade, environmental policy and the common agricultural policy. | null |
9,829 | 23.05.2019 | Poland is concerned over its second-class status in NATO | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poland-is-concerned-over-its-second-tier-status-in-nato | sputnik-georgia.ru | Poland | Outlet language(s)
Russian | It will be hard for Georgia, with its military budget of 380 million USD, to get rid of the Soviet military heritage. Even NATO member Poland with its 9 billion USD military budget failed to get rid of Soviet-old armament. At the same time, Poland is concerned over its “second-class country” status in the alliance. | “Second-class” NATO membership does not exist. NATO is an organisation of collective defence established under the Washington Treaty. NATO member states make decisions through a consensus. Consensus decision-making is a fundamental principle which has been accepted as the sole basis for decision-making in NATO since the creation of the Alliance. Disposing of Soviet military equipment is a long-term process. Poland is undergoing a substantial military reform to strengthen its defense forces. For example, in 2015, it purchased 105 German tanks - Leopard 2A5 and also started to modernise the German Leopard 2A4. Poland also started to upgrade an important component of its airforce – the Mi-24 helicopters, equipping them with new sensors and guided missiles. On February 28th 2019, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed a military modernisation plan under which the country will spend 185 billion PLN (U.S. $49 billion) on new weapons and military equipment by 2026. | Military, NATO |
9,830 | 23.05.2019 | The EU supports fascists in Ukraine and threatens war against Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-supports-fascists-in-ukraine-and-threatens-war-against-russia | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The EU is fraternising with fascists in Ukraine, constantly tightening its sanctions and is threatening Russia with war. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about western support of Ukrainian authorities as part of anti-Russian policy, about the West preparing a war against Russia, about Nazi Ukraine, and the Russophobic and Nazi collective West.The EU neither supports fascists in Ukraine, nor threatens to go to war against Russia.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. | West, War preparation, Anti-Russian, European Union, Encircling Russia, Russophobia, Nazi/Fascist |
9,831 | 23.05.2019 | US AEGIS system in Romania ready to attack Russia with cruise missiles | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-aegis-system-in-romania-ready-to-attack-russia-with-cruise-missiles | RT Germany (old) | Romania, US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The US AEGIS system in Romania is ready to attack Russia with cruise missiles. According to information from military analysts, the USA is continuing to expand its missile base in Romania. The Mk 41 vertical launch facility there is designed to attack land targets with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Modernising the Deveselu site poses a real threat to Russia that should not go unanswered, and Moscow has a wide range of possible countermeasures at its disposal. The USA is probably planning to station the BGM-109 Tomahawk land-based US cruise missiles there, which had previously been banned by the INF Treaty. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about missile defence systems. The Aegis missile defence system (Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence System) is not in violation of the INF Treaty. The US State Department issued a detailed rebuttal of Russian allegations of US noncompliance with the INF Treaty in 2018. According to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (2016): the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System is part of the European Phased Adapted Approach, designed to protect European NATO allies, and U.S. deployed forces in the region, against current and emerging ballistic threats from the Middle East. U.S. Naval Forces ruled out the possibility of targeting the Russian Federation with the "Aegis Ashore" system. The Romanian Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu also reiterated on 7 February 2019 that "Aegis Ashore" was a strictly defensive system. The missile defence stations, also known as "Aegis Ashore", are technically based on the Mk41 launchers (in accordance with the INF Treaty) used on ships, which can also launch cruise missiles. According to the US government they are modified that they can only launch defence missiles and not offensive ground-to-ground missiles, concludes the Research Services of the German Bundestag in 2018 (P.2, in German). | Eastern Europe, Missile defence system |
9,832 | 23.05.2019 | The Baltic States are organising provocations against Russia to get NATO's attention | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-baltic-states-are-organising-provocations-against-russia-to-get-natos-attention | de.news-front.info | US, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Latvia | Outlet language(s)
German | The Baltic States perform provocations against Russia, hoping to get as much support from USA and NATO as possible. But there is a line when a presence from the NATO in those three countries changes from symbolic to offensive. This makes it necessary for Russia to set up a military rapid reaction Force along the borders to the NATO countries. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Western Russophobia and alleged anti-Russian projects in the West, as well as about Western attempts to encircle Russia. See similar cases here and here. | Provocation, Encircling Russia |
9,833 | 23.05.2019 | USA might change its name to Socialist States of America | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/usa-might-change-its-name-to-socialist-states-of-america | tsargrad.tv | US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | According to a survey, performed by the Gallup institute, 43 per cent of Americans have a positive view on Socialism. 44 per cent of the Americans born between 1980 and 1990 want to live under Socialism. This is because of a rapid decay of moral standards and economy. Of course the global elites are attempting to curb this development. During the Presidential campaign of 2016, Hillary Clinton, representing the Globalist Elites, managed to use manipulation and violent acts to stop “Socialist” Bernie Sanders, who would have had real chances to compete against Donald Trump. | Conspiracy theory, presented without evidence. | Socialism, Conspiracy theory |
9,834 | 23.05.2019 | Crimea was annexed by Russia on a legitimate basis | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/crimea-was-annexed-by-russia-on-a-legitimate-basis | it.sputniknews.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Italian | In March 2014 Crimea was annexed by Russia after a referendum carried out in accordance with the rules of international law. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming the annexation of Crimea was the result of a legal referendum by which the inhabitants of the Ukrainian peninsula chose to join the Russian Federation. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on 16th of March 2014. On the 27th of February 2014, when it was announced, 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. Later even the Kremlin admitted that the Crimea annexation plan was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum. On the 5th anniversary of the so called referendum the EU, through Federica Mogherini, its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement confirming the EU’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that EU does NOT recognize this referendum and continues to condemn this violation of international law. | illegal annexation, Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea, Referendum |
9,835 | 23.05.2019 | Strikes of the Russian and Syrian Air forces are inflicted solely on the confirmed terrorist targets | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/strikes-of-the-russian-and-syrian-air-forces-are-inflicted-solely-on-the-confirmed-terrorist-targets | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Syria, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Russia calls on the USA and its partners to recognise responsibility for the crimes committed by the coalition in Syria. Strikes of the Russian and Syrian air forces are inflicted solely on the confirmed terrorist targets. Therefore, there can be no talk of peaceful coexistence with them. | Pro-Kremlin regular narrative that Russian Forces do not target civilians. There is a growing body of evidence documenting Russian and Syrian bombing of civilian targets. According to Amnesty International, Russian warplanes deliberately targeted civilians and rescue workers during their bombing campaign. The human rights group has documented attacks on schools, hospitals and civilian homes. The director of Amnesty's crisis response program, Tirana Hassan, said that after bombing civilian targets, the Russian warplanes "loop around" for a second attack to target the humanitarian workers and civilians who are trying to help those have been injured in the first sortie. More information about Russian military intervention in Syria, about civilian deaths. Reports from international organisations: Humar Rights Watch, UN Human rights office, Atlantic council. Read the Bellingcat investigation. And the most recent case is here. | Russia's Ministry of Defence, Syrian War |
9,836 | 23.05.2019 | Unpublished OPCW report confirms Douma chemical attack staged | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/unpublished-opcw-report-confirms-douma-chemical-attack-staged | sputniknews.com | Syria | Outlet language(s)
English | An unpublished report by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission confirms that the April 2018 chemical incident in Douma was a false-flag operation perpetrated by the rebels. | Recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from the Assad regime and aiming to discredit the OPCW. The "unpublished 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 organization. The individual, however, was affiliated with the OPCW as an engineer and apparently had access to materials gathered in the course of the Douma Fact-Finding Mission, 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 leaked document's authenticity, its conclusion that the cylinders could not have been dropped from helicopters:a) has been addressed in the actual OPCW report on Douma (Annex 6, pp. 55-56);b) does not support the claim that the incident was staged.See the original debunk here. | false flag, OPCW, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,837 | 22.05.2019 | West assigns blame for chemical attacks without investigating them | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/west-assigns-blame-for-chemical-attacks-without-investigating-them | sputniknews.com | Syria, US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | Western governments and organisations continue to accuse Damascus of perpetrating chemical attacks, while being unwilling to actually investigate these alleged incidents. This undermines trust in the expertise and impartiality of the OPCW, whose recent findings seem to be based on political cues from the West. In addition, Moscow has repeatedly warned the international community of false flag attacks and provocations which are constantly being prepared in Syria. Washington and its allies continue to ignore this vital information. | The story advances recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from Damascus and aiming to discredit the OPCW. Claims of the OPCW's bias and subservience to Western governments began featuring in pro-Kremlin narratives around mid-2018, when the organisation was being granted new powers to assign blame for chemical attacks. The OPCW conducts probes into all allegations of chemical weapons' use in Syria, and its findings serve as the basis for publicly available reports and expert notes. The most recent document by the Technical Secretariat offers a detailed response to notes verbales in which both Russia and Syria questioned the credibility and legality of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Douma. Despite endless appeals for impartiality and transparency, in the immediate aftermath of the Douma attack in April 2018, Russian military police denied OPCW inspectors access to the area citing “lack of coordination” with the UN Secretariat, a claim which prompted concerns over possible evidence-tampering and was later refuted by the UN. Meanwhile, admission was quickly granted to friendly journalists. Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, Russia has vetoed a dozen UN Security Council resolutions concerning Syria, of which six called for the launch or renewal of joint enquiries into chemical attacks in the country. More recently, the Syrian government denied entry to a senior OPCW investigator and head of the Investigation and Identification Team, arguing that it "does not recognise" the newly established unit. | United Nations, false flag, OPCW, West, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,838 | 22.05.2019 | US defence companies are restructuring missile defence base in Romania into an offensive base with "Tomahawk" missiles | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-defence-companies-are | Sputnik Germany | Romania, US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | Defensive position as attack ramp: Are “Tomahawk” missiles already in Romania? US defence companies are working on expanding their missile defence base in Deveselu, Romania. This allows Washington to station nuclear-capable cruise missiles on European soil. The start of this work coincides with the withdrawal of the United States from the INF Treaty. Could it be that the Romanian “Aegis Ashore” is currently being prepared for other missions? The modernisation work could serve to equip the defensive position in Romania as a launch pad for cruise missiles. In any case, this would correspond to the measures announced by the United States when it withdrew from the INF Treaty. This would mean that, for the first time since the Cold War, “Tomahawk” missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometres would be stationed in Europe. […] Equipped with cruise missiles capable of flying 2,500 km, the American “defensive position” in Romania would be a concrete threat to Russian cities. Moscow must react, must take measures to strengthen national security as a reaction. […] The Romanian leadership must, […] be aware that the redevelopment of the base in Deveselu makes this region a possible target for a nuclear first strike. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about missile defence systems and the INF Treaty. The Aegis missile defence system (Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence System) is not in violation of the INF Treaty. The US State Department issued a detailed rebuttal of Russian allegations of US non-compliance with the INF Treaty in 2018. According to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (2016): the Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System is part of the European Phased Adapted Approach, designed to protect European NATO allies, and U.S. deployed forces in the region, against current and emerging ballistic threats from the Middle East. U.S. Naval Forces ruled out the possibility of targeting the Russian Federation with the "Aegis Ashore" system. The missile defence stations, also known as "Aegis Ashore", are technically based on the Mk41 launchers (in accordance with the INF Treaty) used on ships, which can also launch cruise missiles. However, they are modified that they can only launch defence missiles and not offensive ground-to-ground missiles, concludes the Research Services of the German Bundestag in 2018 (P.2, in German). The Romanian Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu also reiterated on 7 February 2019 that "Aegis Ashore" was a strictly defensive system. | INF Treaty, Eastern Europe, Missile defence system |
9,839 | 22.05.2019 | The EU Association Agreement with Ukraine triggered the coup d'état in Kyiv and the war in Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/pending-check-the-eu-association-agreement-with-ukraine-triggered-the-coup-detat-in-kyiv-and-the-war-in-ukraine | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
German | The EU Association Agreement with Ukraine triggered the coup d’état in Kyiv and the war in Ukraine. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Euromaidan protests, the war in Ukraine and an alleged EU involvement in the events in Ukraine.There was no coup d’état in Ukraine in 2014. The Euromaidan protests were a spontaneous reaction among large parts of the Ukrainian population, ignited by the decision of former President Yanukovych not to sign the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. The Maidan movement resonated with widespread discontent with corruption and mismanagement under Yanukovych’s rule.It was not the European Union, but Russia, which triggered military conflict in 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." Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015.See here for more information about the EU's support for Ukraine. | Eastern Ukraine, Eastern Partnership, European Union, Euromaidan, Coup, War in Ukraine |
9,840 | 22.05.2019 | No proof of Russian meddling in Western elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/no-proof-of-russian-meddling-in-western-elections | RT Germany (old) | Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | For weeks and months, the media and governments in the EU have been warning against Russian influence in the elections. Now the elections to the EU Parliament are just around the corner – only we are still waiting for indications of manipulation by the evil Russians. Despite the EU elections and the drama, there seems to be no trace of any Russian interference. This was also the case with other elections in Europe, the results of which ran counter to the wishes of the political and media establishment. Whenever things went wrong, it was simply the Russians. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that allegations of Russian interference in electoral processes in the EU and in the West are spread by European elites in order to divert attention from the real problems of the EU countries. Attempts of election meddling by Russia are already well documented. Investigations were conducted by the authorities of various countries, Parliament's committee (UK) , as well as by journalists. Numerous investigations have provided convincing evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum and in elections across Europe and in the US. Thus, in the US, 126 million people were reached on social media by Russia-linked users, 29 million of them have seen the content "directly". See more information here, here and here. Ahead of the European elections 2019, Microsoft registered cyberattacks targeting think tanks and non-profit organisations working on topics related to democracy, electoral integrity, and public policy, that are often in contact with government officials. Microsoft continues to investigate the source of these attacks, but is confident that many of them originated from a group called Strontium, also known as APT 28 or Fancy Bear – which is believed to be associated with Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. Read more here. See here for the list of the reports on Russian efforts to influence elections in various European countries. | EU elections 2019, election meddling, West, Anti-Russian, European Union, Russophobia |
9,841 | 22.05.2019 | New OPCW-report questions official findings about chemical attack in syrian Douma | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/new-opcw-report-questions-official-findings-about-chemical-attack-in-syrian-douma | RT Germany (old) | Syria | Outlet language(s)
German | A new report written by an engineer from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) emerged. The report challenges the official OPCW report from March, which accused Damascus of being behind the Douma incident from last April. However, the new report now suggests that the gas canisters were placed by hand at the site of the attack, possibly by rebels active in the area. In the West, these revelations were virtually ignored. Several prominent activists criticised the mainstream media for their lack of coverage. In addition, the White Helmets operate exclusively in areas controlled by militants and are accused of cooperating with extremists and staging chemical attacks. | Recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from the Assad regime; painting the White Helmets as cooperating with extremists; and aiming to discredit the OPCW. The "never-before-seen-report" appears to be an engineering assessment carried out by one individual who, contrary to RT Deutsch'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 leaked document's authenticity, its conclusion that the cylinders could not have been dropped from helicopters: 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 designed to frame the Syrian government." The White Helmets have not once been "busted" staging anything, see our debunking on the subject for more details. | false flag, White Helmets, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,842 | 22.05.2019 | The Ukrainian Navy deliberately violated Russian territorial waters during the Kerch strait incident | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-navy-deliberately-violated-russian-territorial-waters-during-their-kerch-strait-incident | RT Germany (old) | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | On 25 November 2018, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy deliberately violated Russian territorial waters during their passage from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. When the three warships reached Russian territorial waters, they received a warning from the security forces of the Russian Navy and were asked to change course. However, they ignored the calls, triggering a chase in the Kerch Strait, in which shots were fired and three Ukrainian marines were lightly wounded. As a result, the Ukrainian warships were detained and brought to Kerch. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and the Azov Sea. In this incident, Russia deliberately blocked the Kerch Strait in order to prevent the passage of a naval group of the Ukrainian Navy. On 25 November 2018, three Ukrainian war ships were moving “in accordance with the provisions of all effective multilateral and bilateral international treaties and navigation rules”. The Ukrainian war ships were seized and their crews were detained, despite the fact that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that “all ships, including foreign warships, enjoy the right of “innocent passage” within another state’s territorial sea under international law.” On 25 November, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized the two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their whole crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. 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 in the treaty is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. | Azov sea, Kerch, Black Sea |
9,843 | 22.05.2019 | The US does not want peace in Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-does-not-want-peace-in-ukraine | sputnik-abkhazia.ru | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The US does not want peace in Donbas. Unlike the US, Europe is a civilised political space and does not need an armed conflict in the area. In order to settle the problems in east Ukraine, the country must leave the American political arena and move towards Europe. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the US destabilising the world. Both Kyiv and Washington have stated that only the Minsk agreements can stop the war and ensure peace in this region.The US has called on Russia to cease hostilities and institute a full and comprehensive ceasefire, including cancelling illegal sham elections it is organizing in the Russia-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine. The US is firmly committed to supporting Ukrainian security and stability. The US has contributed funding and personnel to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) that is monitoring and providing daily reporting, particularly in the conflict regions in the east. Similar disinformation cases can be found here, here and here. | Ukraine, Minsk agreements, Donbas |
9,844 | 22.05.2019 | Europe is not united, Europe is tired of USA dictates | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/europe-is-not-united-europe-is-tired-of-usa-dictate | armeniasputnik.am | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Armenian | Europe is not united. Relations between Russia and EU, between European countries are difficult. The reason is the presence of US. Everywhere.EU doesn’t carry out its obligations within international agreements. For example in Ukraine, EU doesn’t keep pressure on Ukraine to follow the Minsk agreements, EU closes its eyes on situation in Donbas. EU recognised Guaido immediately in Venezuela. The case with Iran was Europe’s disgrace. And all is because of pressure from USA. It is true that Europe is tired of US dictates. EU wants to cooperate with Russia, Iran, and China. But the USA don’t allow it. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on the United States dictating EU and member state policies. Europe is not occupied by the US. Sovereignty of the EU member states is not limited. Similar examples can be found here, here and here.This is a classical pro-Kremlin narrative, trying to undermine sovereignty of the West. Member states of the EU are independent and sovereign countries. | West, US presence in Europe, Europe |
9,845 | 22.05.2019 | The Strache-scandal: An operation by German and Spanish secret services | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/strache-scandal-an-operation-by-german-and-spanish-secret-services | VK.com Resource | Austria, Spain, Germany | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The political scandal in Austria was an operation by German intelligence, with the help of Spanish and two other countries’ secret services. | No evidence given, conspiracy theory. Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign due to allegations of corruption, after offering government contacts to a supposed Russian investor in exchange for help to his Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the 2017 national elections. The video was first reported on by the German magazine Spiegel and the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. The two media outlets didn’t reveal the source of the video. There is no evidence to support the theory that the video is a result of a Western secret service operation. 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, Secret services |
9,846 | 22.05.2019 | Unlike Russia, the West degrades traditional values and endangers societies | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/unlike-russiathe-west-degrades-traditional-values-and-endangers-societies | sputnik-abkhazia.ru | null | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Western media describe Russia is a danger to Western “liberal democracy”. But the West puts all efforts in degrading and discrediting traditional values, the deliberate rejection of these values and the transition to fictional, unstable and malignant structures, pseudo-values, which endanger society. The Russian system of values, although different from the Western one, is something that should be sought. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the right-wing parties in the West want to cooperate with Russia. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at portraying the West as depraved, an immoral actor fighting against traditional values and endangering societies. The idea of Moscow being the protector of traditional values is not new and is part of the notion of Moscow being the Third Rome.'Threatened values' is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets. | null |
9,847 | 22.05.2019 | Poland plans to take over Minsk after extensive subversive activities in Belarus | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poland-plans-to-take-over-minsk-after-extensive-subversive-activities-in-belarus | ross-bel.ru | Poland, Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In 2006, Poland adopted a state programme for building the Fourth Rzeczpospolita. Its goal is to extend Poland’s cultural and political domination over the territories which were part of the first Rzeczpospolita until the late XVIII century. This geopolitical project directly concerns Belarus and Ukraine. The state programme has both humanitarian and military elements. Under the latter, an increasing militarisation of Poland must be taken into account. The former envisages increasing Polish influence over Belarus by issuing the Pole’s Card to Belarusian citizens and the promotion of Polish historic views among Belarusian intelligentsia, officials and students. The humanitarian element is a first phase, its objectives are to trick, deceive, derussify and to take away the sense of self-preservation from Belarusian society as well as to disrupt the allied relations between Belarus and Russia. Following this phase, Poland plans to send its troops to take over Minsk as in 1919. Given this, only a strong Union with Great Russia is a true guarantee of Belarus’ territorial integrity and its sustainable development. | This is a conspiracy theory with no evidence given. It is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about Polish plans to re-establish its empire at the expense of its Eastern neighbours, and about the West's plans to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations and to destabilise Belarus. Poland respects the territorial integrity of its neighbouring states and does not have a state programme to establishing the Fourth Rzeczpospolita. The IV Rzeczpospolita, or Fourth Republic, was a plan for a moral revolution and political change put forward in the late 1990s by the Polish conservative philosopher Rafał Matyja and used in public discourse to describe the 2005-2007 period, when the Law and Justice party was in the government for the first time. However, this concept has nothing to do with establishing a Polish empire at the expense of Poland's eastern neighbours, including Belarus. Read more about the use of conspiracy here. Other examples of disinformation messages include alleging that Poland has plans to turn Belarus into a vassal, anti-Russian state with Belarus’ western part being an eastern part of a new Polish state, and that the Polish doctrine of IV Rzeczpospolita is part of the US doctrine of global dominance. | Military, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory |
9,848 | 21.05.2019 | Three Ukrainian ships violated the Russian border | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/three-ukrainian-ships-violated-the-russian-border | pl.sputniknews.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Polish | On the morning of the November 25th (2018), three Ukrainian navy ships, Berdiansk, Nikopol and tugboat Yany Kapu violated the Russian border and were carrying out dangerous manoeuvres for several hours, ignoring the orders from the Russian military. Ukrainian navy officers were accused of illegal crossing the Russian border and arrested. | A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the Kerch strait incident. On November 25th 2018, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat 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 in the treaty are considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. | Territorial dispute, Azov sea, Kerch, Crimea |
9,849 | 21.05.2019 | There is no evidence of Russian intervention in Ukrainian elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/there-is-no-evidence-of-russian-intervention-in-ukrainian-elections | russian.rt.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | A panel of experts from the American Atlantic Council and Ukrainian NGOs has prepared a report stating that Russia allegedly intervened in the presidential election in Ukraine. However, specific examples or evidence of this theory are not given, and the document itself contains only general information about the anti-Russian character and the statements of Kyiv officials. | This is another attempt to deny Russia's attempts at interference in elections and referenda. The Atlantic Council, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, and the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity established the Ukrainian Election Task Force. Working with other Ukrainian institutions — StopFake and the Razumkov Centre — the three partners created a rapid-response team with the ability to monitor, evaluate, and disclose the full range of foreign subversive activities in Ukraine, and to propose suitable responses. Regarding disinformation: "According to task force monitors and analyses the majority of disinformation messages targeted at the Ukrainian elections stemmed from the grand narrative claiming that the elections would be rigged, illegitimate, and should not be trusted no matter the result." Also: "Kremlin outlets voiced many false accusations about the alleged spread of Nazism in Ukraine, or about the Ukrainian state planning terror attacks and contract killings on its territory in order to influence the elections. In one of the more erratic attacks, the Ukrainian army was accused of cannibalism and occultism." See here for other disinformation cases about Russian interference in different elections. | Ukraine, election meddling |
9,850 | 21.05.2019 | The report highlighting Russian interference in Ukrainian election is preparation for further aggravation of relations with Moscow | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-report-highlighting-russian-interference-in-ukrainian-election-is-preparation-for-further-aggravation-of-relations-with-moscow | russian.rt.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Russian experts suggest that the joint report of the US Atlantic Council and Ukrainian NGOs on alleged Russian interference in the Presidential election in Ukraine could be part of preparation for a new aggravation of relations between Moscow and Kyiv. | No evidence given.The Atlantic Council, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, and the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity established the Ukrainian Election Task Force. Working with other Ukrainian institutions—StopFake and the Razumkov Centre—the three partners created a rapid-response team with the ability to monitor, evaluate, and disclose the full range of foreign subversive activities in Ukraine, and to propose suitable responses. There is no goal to aggravate relations with Moscow with this report.Here are more disinformation cases about Russian interference in different elections. | Ukraine, election meddling |
9,851 | 21.05.2019 | Ukraine is under foreign control | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-under-foreign-control | russian.rt.com | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | A panel of experts from the American Atlantic Council and Ukrainian NGOs has prepared a report stating that Russia allegedly intervened in the presidential election in Ukraine.Russian experts stressed that it would be much more interesting to conduct a study on the impact of the EU and the US on elections and other processes in Ukraine. Ukrainian experts say straightforwardly that the country is under external control. | No evidence given. Recurring Kremlin narrative about Ukraine, which allegedly is under external control from the US or EU.Ukraine is a sovereign state, not controlled by any foreign government. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world, including the EU.You can find several disinformation cases on Ukraine being under foreign control here. | Ukraine, election meddling, European Union |
9,852 | 21.05.2019 | Petro Poroshenko and the Verkhovna Rada deliberately delayed Zelenskyy’s inauguration | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/petro-poroshenko-and-the-verkhovna-rada-deliberately-delay-the-process-of-inauguration-of-zelenskyi | russian.rt.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The Central Elections Committee of Ukraine concluded the elections on April 30, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inauguration took place on 19 of May. Experts believe that Petro Poroshenko and the Verkhovna Rada deliberately tried to delay the process. According to analysts, this way they were trying to prevent the dissolution of parliament, as well as to strengthen their positions before the parliamentary elections in late 2019. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Petro Poroshenko, with recent examples about him allegedly harming the newly elected president Volodymyr Zelenskyy or suggesting he instigated the provocation in Kerch Strait to extend his power. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his team proposed 19th of May as the date of the inauguration. Zelenskyy's inauguration actually took place on 20th May 2019. The political party of Petro Poroshenko opposed the date of 19th May because on that day Ukraine commemorates the victims of political repressions. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, election meddling, Elections, Petro Poroshenko |
9,853 | 21.05.2019 | The language law signed by Poroshenko is a huge, unjustified bomb that splits Ukrainian society | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-language-law-signed-by-poroshenko-is-a-huge-unjustified-bomb-that-splits-ukrainian-society | russian.rt.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The language law signed by Poroshenko is a huge, unjustified bomb that splits Ukrainian society and makes it very difficult for Zelenskyi to take office, because he will have to react to it somehow. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and discrimination against Russian speakers. Find more disinformation cases on the Ukrainian language law here.On 25 April, The Verkhovna Rada passed the law "on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language". The law establishes mandatory use of the Ukrainian language in most areas of public and communal life, including the mass media.However, the language rights of national minorities have to be in line with the obligations of Ukraine under the European Charter for Regional Languages and Languages of National Minorities, guaranteed by a separate law, the draft of which the government must develop and submit to the parliament six months after the law on the state language will enter into force.The usage of Russian language is not limited in private communication and religious ceremonies. Just like the languages of other minorities, Russian can be present in book publishing, the press, television and education and in the service sector. But the Ukrainian language in these areas is preferred.. the Ukrainian language is positioned as the main language of publishing activity, and circulation in other languages can not exceed the circulation in Ukrainian.For discrimination of the Ukrainian language, including in favour of Russian, administrative responsibility is given. In the humanitarian sphere - education, science, culture, sports - for violating language policy, there is a fine of 200 to 300 times the non-taxable minimum wage (now it is from 3400-5100 hryvnias). The entry into force is delayed for three years. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Rule of law, Russian language, Petro Poroshenko |
9,854 | 21.05.2019 | Russia opposes any attempts to "destroy the post-WWII security architecture" | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-opposes-any-attempts-to-destroy-the-post-wwii-security-architecture | Pervyi Kanal | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Russia is complying to the international security architecture formed after World War II, and will always counter attempts to undermine strategic stability, as well as attempts to replace the norms of international law with certain rules, including the UN Charter. | There are several well-documented cases of Russia violating international law, as well as ruining the international security architecture formed after World War II. Over the course of the past decade, Russia has gone to war with Georgia; repeatedly interfered in the domestic political affairs of neighbouring countries; exerted various forms of economic pressure on states like Ukraine, Moldova, and Lithuania; and expanded its network of military bases in the post-Soviet region. For example, according to international law, Crimea is part of Ukraine, and Russia violated international law, as well as the key principles of the European security framework, by illegally annexing the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. On March 27th, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it 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. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, recognised on April 17th, 2015 that "our soldiers were deployed in Crimea to help the inhabitants express their opinion". Here are several disinformation cases on this issue. | United Nations, World War 2, security threat, New World Order, Russian world |
9,855 | 21.05.2019 | Ukraine is the West’s "Anti-Russia" project | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-the-wests-project-called-anti-russia | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine is an anti-Russian project of the West. It doesn’t matter who the president is – Zelenskyy or Poroshenko. The leadership of this country is forced to conduct an anti-Russian policy, since the state is fed by the West. Ukraine’s mission is to create problems along the entire perimeter of Russia’s borders. Even if Ukraine, theoretically, starts persecuting Jews, stops recognising the Holocaust, the West will close its eyes to this. It will continue as long as it plays the role dictated by the Western geopolitical centres. While the geopolitical role of Ukraine will satisfy the West, everything will be allowed to it. | This is recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation conspiracy narrative about Ukraine, Ukraine's hyper-dependence on the West , and Ukraine as an anti-Russian 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 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.Relations between Ukraine and the EU are based on the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, which recognises and reaffirms independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. Due the all legal instruments, like Association Agreement, Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), Visa liberalisation dialogue and visa-free regime, Eastern Partnership Program etc Ukraine stays under the EU strong supervising and monitoring. | Ukraine, West, Anti-Russian |
9,856 | 21.05.2019 | Only thanks to Stalin did Poland receive the German Danzig (Gdansk) | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/only-thanks-to-stalin-did-poland-receive-the-german-danzig | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Poland, Germany | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Not so long ago, no Gdansk existed. It was the German city of Danzig. It became Gdansk thanks to one person. His name is Stalin. It is thanks to Comrade Stalin that Poland received German Danzig, later renamed to Gdansk. | Pro-Kremlin disinformation aimed at bolstering the reputation of Joseph Stalin by highlighting his unique role in the victory of WW2. First mentioned as a Polish city in 997 or 999, Gdańsk (Gdansk) was part of the Polish diocese of Włocławek. During its history, Gdansk has been under Polish, Prussian and German rule. From 1919 to 1939 Gdansk had the status of the free city of Danzig under the Treaty of Versailles. In 1938, Poland refused Hitler’s demand to give the city to Germany. This was used by Germany as provocation for an attack on Poland on September 1, 1939, which precipitated World War II. Gdansk was returned to Poland in March 1945 as part of the decisions made by the Allies at the Potsdam conference. | World War 2, Propaganda, Joseph Stalin |
9,857 | 21.05.2019 | The new language law will split Ukraine | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-new-law-on-language-can-lead-to-a-great-split-in-ukraine | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The new language law will split Ukraine. There are a lot of national minorities in Ukraine, including Armenians. The new law will lead to even greater divisions and tensions and, moreover, will intensify conflict. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and discrimination against Russian speakers and the new Law on the Ukrainian Language.The language rights of national minorities have to be in line with Ukraine’s obligations under the European Charter for Regional Languages and Languages of National Minorities. This is guaranteed by a separate law, the draft of which the government must develop and submit to the Parliament six months after the law on the state language enters into force.More background about new language law can be found here. | Ukraine, Human rights, Russian language |
9,858 | 21.05.2019 | French President Emmanuel Macron calls for certain countries to be expelled from the EU | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/emanuel-macron-calls-on-expelling-certain-countries-from-the-eu | sputnik-georgia.ru | France | Outlet language(s)
Russian | French President Macron is offering to expel member states from the EU. The union is falling to pieces. Thus, the talks about Georgia joining the EU are absurd and have to stop. | A misrepresented quote. The text is referring to a letter published by Emmanuel Macron ahead of the EU elections. In the opinion piece, Macron proposed a series of reforms to "ensure the future of Europe". Macron did not call for certain countries to be expelled from the EU but criticised members of the Schengen area who do not follow the unified policy on asylum and immigration."All those who want to be part of it [Schengen area] should comply with obligations of responsibility (stringent border controls) and solidarity (a single asylum policy with common acceptance and refusal rules). We will need a common border force and a European asylum office, strict control obligations and European solidarity to which each country will contribute under the authority of a European Council for Internal Security."This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the EU is falling apart. | Schengen, Emmanuel Macron, European Union |
9,859 | 21.05.2019 | The EU triggered conflict in Ukraine in 2014 | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-triggered-conflict-in-ukraine-in-2014 | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
German | The EU triggered conflict in Ukraine in 2014. Billion-euro programmes, such as those of the “Eastern Partnership of the EU” (EaP) with six former Soviet republics (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), dictate the so-called European values, expand the sphere of influence and markets. Unwise association agreements and interference by the so-called European politicians in the internal affairs of states sometimes even trigger conflicts, as was the case in Ukraine after the coup d’état in 2014 (and as is currently happening in Venezuela). Deepened free trade with Ukraine has so far had no desired effects: corruption, war, poverty. Do European values look like this? | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Eastern Partnership, the war in Ukraine and Ukraine's statehood. It was not the European Union, but Russia, which triggered military conflict in 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." Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015. Moreover, the European Union supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens. Read more about the Eastern Partnership and EU policy towards its Eastern neighbours here. | Eastern Ukraine, West, Eastern Partnership, European Union, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood, Coup, War in Ukraine |
9,860 | 21.05.2019 | Russia has not violated international law | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-has-not-violated-international-law | sputnik-georgia.ru | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Russia has not violated international law. The only thing Russia has violated is the “new world order” established by the US and its satellites, including Estonia. Neither Russia nor other sovereign states can cope with this unwritten world order. The US and Europe are unable to refer to any article allegedly violated by Russia because this article does not exist and often times Europe and Russia mean different things under the notion of international law. | A conspiracy theory on "The New World Order", presented without evidence. In fact, Russia violated international law when it launched the military aggression against Georgia in 2008, committed crimes against humanity and war crimes on the territory of Georgia, constantly violates the six-point ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia, annexed Crimea in 2014, attacked Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait in 2018, expropriated the assets of a Ukrainian oil company in the territory of Crimea, failed to declare its own Novichok production facilities and delays in destroying stockpiles of other chemical weapons. These violations were accompanied by the usual disinformation narratives. Several other examples of disinformation narratives are available below:Russia carried out a peacekeeping mission in Georgia in 2008.Crimea reunited with Russia through a democratic referendum.Ukrainian naval vessels violated the Russian border in Kerch Strait.Contradictory and different narratives about the Skripal poisoning can be found here.More about the violations of the certain articles of international law by Russia is available here. | International Law |
9,861 | 21.05.2019 | Romanians are not interested in European elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/romanians-are-not-interested-in-european-elections | ro.sputnik.md | Romania | Outlet language(s)
Romanian | Despite political agitation, Romanians are not interested in the European elections. The reason is that these European elections do not change anything and only Westerners are fighting for decision-making posts in the EU.Romanians realised quickly that their votes do not matter and that European Parliament does not have real policy-making power. | This message is in line with the pro-Kremlin narrative on the disintegration of the EU. Turnout at the European Parliament elections in Romania has significantly improved from 32.44% of the voters in 2014 to 49.22% of voters, according to the Central Electoral Bureau. Additionally, the latest Eurobarometer shows that six out of ten Romanians tend to trust the European Parliament. As for the powers of the European Parliament, it is fully involved in the EU's legislative process. It also exercises political scrutiny over the other EU institutions, including European Commission. Similar case undermining the level of support for the EU in Romania can be found here. For more disinformation cases about the European Parliament and its competences check here. | Euro-scepticism, EU elections 2019, European Parliament, EU disintegration, European Union |
9,862 | 20.05.2019 | Groundless accusation of ties to Russia became a classic trap aimed to discredit conservative candidates for EU elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/groundless-accusation-of-ties-to-russia-became-classic-trap-aimed-to-discredit-eu-conservative-candidates | fr.sputniknews.com | Austria, France | Outlet language(s)
French | The big scandal involving the Austrian Vice-Chancellor over his “Russian connections” starts to have repercussions in Austria as well as in the rest of Europe. As the European elections approach, the chances of success for the Vice Chancellor’s party diminish. But it is already proven that the “niece of a Russian oligarch” in origin of the scandal was Latvian. What competent organization has set up this classic trap? No one seriously associates Russia with the rise of the European nationalists and traditional conservatives from their marginal ghetto, nor their new popularity. This is the good old method of pointing to “Russian trace” by discrediting the “populists” by sending them so-called “Russians”. The search for the “Russian trace” is a tradition of European public policy even older than cathedrals. | Austrian political crisis called also "Strachegate" occurred because of the video showing vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache meeting a person pretending to be the niece of a Russian oligarch. Media outlets admit that the woman claims to also have Latvian citizenship. No other similar traps occurred so far, hence it is not "classic". The video as a whole exposed the far right Freedom Party’s eagerness to do business with allies of Mr. Putin, to bring Austrian media outlets under their control and find compromising material on their competitors in Austria. Despite reports on certain ideological support, financial proposals and a conspiracy meeting of European far right parties representatives with a Russian influencers, hacker attacks and suspicious social media accounts activity investigated under suspicion of being orchestrated by GRU and Russian "trolls factory", the recurring pro-Kremlin narrative purports that all the allegations of Russian interference in electoral processes in the EU and in the West are groundless and spread by European elites themselves. Their aim would be only to divert attention from the real problems of EU countries. At that, disinformation produced and/or spread by Russian sources has been reported in the context of several elections and referenda in the EU and elsewhere (see here for an overview), as noted in the EU's action plan against disinformation.Ahead of the elections, Microsoft faced cyberattacks targeting think tanks and non-profit organizations working on topics related to democracy, electoral integrity, and public policy and that are often in contact with government officials. Microsoft continues to investigate the sources of these attacks, but is confident that many of them originated from a group called Strontium, also known as APT 28 or Fancy Bear – which is believed to be associated with Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. Read more here.Numerous investigations have provided convincing evidence of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum and in elections across Europe and in the US - see more information here, here and here. | Heinz-Christian Strache, EU elections 2019, election meddling, European Union, Austria, Europe |
9,863 | 20.05.2019 | Western funding behind protests in Yekaterinburg, Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-funding-behind-protests-in-yekaterinburg-russia | southfront.org | Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | Events In framework of “Russia’s dissolution” are developing, backed by Western funds. The city of Yekaterinburg, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, has became a first target of this new campaign. On May 13, local activists blocked the start of construction of an Orthodox church (“Khram Svyatoy Yekateriny”) in one of the city’s parks. People rallying against the project clashed with its supporters. Some activists were detained. After this, local authorities intervened in the situation attempting to settle the conflict between the sides. However, after the more detailed look, it appears that there are multiple signals that the ongoing conflict over the church is created artificially, managed by some outside force and has little with the formally declared reason of protests. The goal of these efforts is to undermine the political system and create an instability factor in one of the key Russian regions. | Unfounded pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory, in line with a trope, claiming "The West" to be behind any kind of protests anywhere. | Civil Society, Protest, Christianity |
9,864 | 20.05.2019 | Mueller report refutes "Trump-Russia collusion" claim | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/mueller-report-refutes-trump-russia-collusion-claim | RT English | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | Mainstream media outlets such as The New York Times continue to peddle the “Trump-Russia collusion” conspiracy theory, despite the fact that the Mueller report refutes any such allegations. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The story deliberately conflates "collusion" (not a legal concept) and the actual scope of the Special Counsel investigation which, according to the Mueller report, was to establish "whether any Americans […] joined the Russian conspiracies to influence the election" (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). See our recent debunking of the "no-collusion" claim here. | election meddling, Robert Mueller, Mainstream media, Conspiracy theory |
9,865 | 20.05.2019 | Strache-scandal: Security services of Austria, Germany or US might be behind it | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/a-provocation-against-heinz-christian-strache-is-one-of-numerous-wests-attempts-to-shift-a-blame-on-russia-for-all-problems | sputnik.by | Austria, Germany, US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The provocation with a recorded conversation between Austrian politician Heinz-Christian Strache and ‘a niece of Russian oligarch’ could be staged by security services of different countries. It could be Austrians themselves, where the level of popularity of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) is a headache for some. It could be Germany which is confronted with a problem of anti-immigrant belt from Poland to Italy. Is could also be the US which dislike Austria’s active participation in gas projects jointly with Russia. | No evidence given, conspiracy theory. Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign due to allegations of corruption, after offering government contacts to a supposed Russian investor in exchange for help to his Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the 2017 national elections. The video was first reported on by the German magazine Spiegel and the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. The two media outlets didn’t reveal the source of the video. There is no evidence to support the theory that the video is a result of a Western secret service operation. 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, EU elections 2019, West, Anti-Russian, European Union, Conspiracy theory, Secret services |
9,866 | 20.05.2019 | Germany actively meddles in Austria's domestic affairs | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/germany-actively-meddles-in-austrias-domestic-affairs | sputnik.by | Austria, Germany | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Germany actively meddles in Austria’s domestic affairs. If Heinz-Christian Strache had met with a citizen of Germany or the US, the reaction of the Austrian public and media would probably be different. | An ungrounded conspiracy about the Strache-Affair as German meddling in Austria's domestic affairs. Although the so-called Ibiza scandal began after a joint report by the German news magazine Der Spiegel and the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, Austrian authorities have not claimed German interference in the country's domestic affairs. | Conspiracy theory |
9,867 | 20.05.2019 | Terrorists receive residence permits in EU countries | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/terrorists-receive-the-residence-permit-in-eu-countries | ru.armeniasputnik.am | Syria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | As time has shown, Europeans are not able to distinguish a terrorist from a refugee. As a result, residence permits in European capitals have been given to those who a couple of years ago were beheading, hanging and killing the civil population of Syria. | Recurring Kremlin disinformation narrative about the weak West, the migration crisis, islamisation of Europe, inability to fight terror and to distinguish terrorists from refugees. To receive a residence permit in EU countries, people go through lengthy checks, verifications and controls. Many can wait for years and be refused. Over the past 20 years, the European Union has put in place some of the highest common asylum standards in the world. More information can be found here. More information about the EU and its action to address the migration crisis can be found here. | European Union, Europe, Terrorism, Syrian War |
9,868 | 20.05.2019 | Political scandal in Austria is a part of Western Russophobic campaign | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/political-scandal-in-austria-is-a-part-of-western-russophobic-campaign | radiosputnik.ria.ru | Austria, US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The story with a leaked video in Austria is very similar to alleged Russian interference into American elections, it is the same scenario. Political parties in America and Europe use Russophobia to defeat their political enemies. It is telling that this particular campaign against Russia happens right after the attempts to prove Russian trace in the victory of Donald Trump suffered a complete fiasco. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia and Russian interference in 2016 US elections. Special counsel Robert Mueller’s report affirms that “the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities”. Nevertheless it states that interference activities took place, as already concluded earlier by US intelligence community and by Mueller’s own inquiry: “the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts”. German media has not disclosed the origins of the video, implicating former vice-chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache. There is no evidence of in the involvement of European political parties in the making of the video. | Heinz-Christian Strache, election meddling, Robert Mueller, Russophobia |
9,869 | 20.05.2019 | Heinz-Christian Strache was framed because he was against sanctions to Russia and supported Nord Stream II | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/heinz-christian-strache-was-framed-because-he-was-against-sanctions-to-russia-and-supported-nord-stream-ii | radiosputnik.ria.ru | Austria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Heinz-Christian Strache was framed because he did not go with political mainstream: he did not scold Russia, supported the Nord Stream II and did not like sanctions to Russia. The logic is simple: if you don’t scold Russia, it means you agree with it and you will not be in the European Parliament. | Conspiracy theory consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia. Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign due to allegations of corruption, after offering government contacts to a supposed Russian investor in exchange for help to his Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the 2017 national elections. German media has not disclosed the origins of the video, implicating former vice-chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache. | Heinz-Christian Strache, EU elections 2019, Russophobia |
9,870 | 20.05.2019 | Current socio-economic situation of Poland is worse than in the communist times | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/current-socio-economic-situation-of-poland-is-worse-than-in-the-communist-times | pl.sputniknews.com | USSR, Poland | Outlet language(s)
Polish | In many areas, the III RP (The Third Republic – a term used to describe Poland after 1989) is not even close to the achievements of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL – a term used to describe Poland under communist regime, 1944-1989), starting from unemployment levels.In no other EU country is the income inequality indicator as high as in Poland. | No evidence given. Examples used in the text are part of a recurring narrative glorifying repressive communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe. See examples here and here.Under the communist regime, unemployment didn't officially exist, and the full employment was named as a target in the constitution of 1952. In fact, the inefficient labour market, along with overblown state administration created a separate category of unemployment - so called 'unemployment in places of employment'. It meant that even though everybody was employed officially, many people were in fact redundant - some data say that this phenomenon reached as many as 50% of employed people. Moreover, no reliable data about economy in the Polish People’s Republic is available, as the state deceived their public and each other with the statistics.According to Eurostat and OECD data, the current unemployment rate in Poland is among the lowest in the EU.According to the latest available data by OECD (2016), the income inequality indicator for Poland is as high as 0.28 (where 0 means complete equality and 1 - complete inequality), which puts Poland on the 9th place among the EU countries. | Socialism, economy, USSR |
9,871 | 20.05.2019 | European mainstream parties and media use Russpohobia to win the European elections | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-mainstream-parties-and-media-use-russpohobia-to-win-the-european-elections | RT English | null | Outlet language(s)
English | With European Parliament elections looming, the establishment parties and mainstream media are reaching for the playbook of US Democrats and hyping the specter of ‘Russia’ to drive voters away from the rising tide of populism.It is the same as ‘Russiagate’ hysteria in the US – the same that failed to win the 2016 election for Hillary Clinton and the Democrats, failed to sway the electors into overruling the vote, failed to get Trump impeached, but succeeded in lining the pockets of various “experts” and think-tank grifters, as well as media figures willing to play fast and loose with facts. | Conspiracy theory consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia.Russia's attempts at interfering in democratic processes in the US and Europe have been well documented.There is no evidence to suggest US democratic party is behind the electoral campaign of pan-European political parties.For background read: EU Elections Update: Reaping What Was Sown | null |
9,872 | 20.05.2019 | European deep state murdered the pioneer of Austrian right-wing movement and set up trap for Strache | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-deep-state-murdered-the-pioneer-of-austrian-right-wing-movement-and-set-up-trap-for-strache | vz.ru | Austria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In Europe, the “deep state” is no less serious than in the US, although it is more refined. The fate of the late Jörg Haider, the pioneer of the right wing movement in Austria, whose Volkswagen flew off the road for an unknown reason in October 2008, is a clear confirmation of this. It is obvious that the whole story of the production and publication of the compromising video [implicating former vice-Chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache] most likely did not go without the intervention of one of the European special services. | Conspiracy theory consistent with recurring disinformation narrative of a "deep state". The police investigation ruled out foul play or technical glitches a day after the crash of Jörg Haider's car. Alcohol and speeding were involved. The video implicating former vice-Chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache was first reported on by the German magazine Spiegel and the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. The two media outlets didn’t reveal the source of the video. There is no evidence to support the theory that the video is a result of a Western secret service operation. 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, Deep state, European Union, Secret services |
9,873 | 19.05.2019 | Ukrainian language law intentionally discriminates half of Ukraine’s population | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-language-law-intentionally-discriminates-half-of-ukraines-population | ukraina.ru | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | It is not just about strengthening the state language in Ukraine. The new law is about discriminating against half of the country’s population. The law is directed against the Russian-speaking population, first of all, Russians, who are actually forbidden to speak their native language everywhere except at home. And this is almost half the population of the country. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and discrimination against Russian speakers. The Verkhovna Rada passed, on April 25, the law "on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language". The law establishes mandatory use of the Ukrainian language in most areas of public and communal life, including the mass media, education, science, etc. However, the law 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. For discrimination of the Ukrainian language, including in favour of Russian, administrative responsibility is given. In the humanitarian sphere - education, science, culture, sports - for violating language policy, there is a fine of 200-300 times the non-taxable minimum wage (now it is from 3400-5100 hryvnias).n The entry into force is delayed for three years. Similar disinformation cases are here and here. For background on the Ukrainian language laws, see here. | Ukraine, Russian language |
9,874 | 19.05.2019 | The West wages an information war against the Union State of Belarus and Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-wages-an-information-war-against-the-union-state-of-belarus-and-russia | teleskop-by.org | Belarus, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | In order to preserve its dominant positions, the West carries out both real wars around the world with millions of killed people and information wars. The West’s confrontation with the Union State of Belarus and Russia has turned in an open economic, political, and information war. | This message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Western anti-Belarus and anti-Russian activities.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 disinformation cases alleging that the West has started an information war against Russia and Belarus, about Western propaganda of feminine men in Belarus, and about Russian company Rosneft as an object of defamatory campaign in western media. | West, Conspiracy theory, Information war |
9,875 | 19.05.2019 | Despite emerging German imperialism, Germans remain subordinated to American culture | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/despite-emerging-german-imperialism-germans-remain-subordinated-to-american-culture | teleskop-by.org | Germany, US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Germans are subordinated to American culture. And this is despite the fact that German imperialism is being revived within the EU in a mild form. | This message contains ungrounded claim about a rising German imperialism, combined with a lost sovereignty narrative frequently promoted by pro-Kremlin disinformation sources.Imperialism is policy or ideology of extending a nation's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control of other areas. The allegation about a present-day revival of German imperialism is ungrounded.See earlier disinformation cases alleging that many European countries are under a new form of colonialism, Europe is occupied by the US and has limited sovereignty. | Imperialism/colonialism, European Union, Conspiracy theory |
9,876 | 19.05.2019 | European Commission Vice-President blusters about genocide on Europeans | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-commission-vice-president-blusters-about-genocide-on-europeans | Anonymousnews.ru | null | Outlet language(s)
German | The European Commission Vice-President rants about genocide on Europeans. He said: “Monocultural states have to disappear, mass immigration of Muslim men is a means to an end.” No country should escape the inevitable process of inter-racial mixture. Instead, immigrants should be encouraged to “reach even the remotest places on the planet to ensure that no more homogeneous societies remain anywhere. | Frans Timmermanns did not say this. The wrong quote appeared first in May 2016 at the German Website Frankfurter Erklaerung, where the article is offline and only available in Web-Archive. The article referred to a speech of Timmermanns at the EU Fundamental Rights Colloquium. On the website of the European Commission you can find the speech of 1 October 2015 at the opening of the colloquium in written form. The story is currently doing the rounds again in social media. Within the wrong quote, Timmermans had called on the members of the EU Parliament to contribute more to the disappearance of monocultural states. But within the actual speech there is no evidence for this claim. The quotation is purely fictional. Timmermans warned that the abandonment of values would cause our society to perish. He did not speak of "erasing" or "disappearing". The original quote in full length: "Diversity is now in some parts of Europe seen as a threat. Diversity comes with challenges, but diversity is humanity's destiny. There is not going to be, even in the remotest places of this planet, a nation that will not see diversity in its future. That's where humanity is heading and those politicians trying to sell to their electorates a society that is exclusively composed of people from one culture are trying to portray a future based on the past that never existed. Therefore that future will never be. Europe will be diverse like all other parts of the world will be diverse. The only question is, how do we deal with that diversity. And my answer to that is: by ensuring that our values determine how we deal with diversity and not giving up our values to refuse diversity. That will bring us down as a society. If we don't get this right, I truly believe, Europe will not remain the Europe we've built. Europe will not remain the place of peace and freedom for very long." The case was debunked by dpa’s Presseportal on 25th April 2019. The disproof was also picked up by the German fact-checking site CORRECTIV who published it here. | null |
9,877 | 19.05.2019 | Alleged chemical attack in Syria: new documents question final findings of OPCW | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/alleged-chemical-attack-in-syria-new-documents-question-final-findings-of-opcw | RT France - YouTube | Syria | Outlet language(s)
French | A report written by OPCW engineers who went on the ground in Syria to Douma says that all the images, all the videos of this famous day of April 7, 2018 day of the alleged chemical attack in Douma of the damage caused do not correspond with the hypothesis of gas cylinders released from the air. Another place, another incoherence. A cylinder that just could not get where it was found with its valve still intact. The only rational explanation for them and that the two gas bottles were already on the spot. But these explanations clearly contradict the official report. This new report changes everything. In summary, observations at the scene of the two locations, together with subsequent analysis, suggest that there is a higher probability that both cylinders were manually placed at those two locations rather than being delivered from an aircraft. The OPCW does not comment. But what we learned, thanks to those leaks,puts their final findings in question. | Recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from the Assad regime; painting the White Helmets as terrorists; and aiming to discredit the OPCW. The "never-before-seen-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 organization. The individual, however, was affiliated with the OPCW as an engineer and apparently have 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 leaked document's authenticity, its conclusion that the cylinders could not have been dropped from helicopters: 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 designed to frame the Syrian government." The White Helmets have not once been "busted" staging anything, see our debunking on the subject for more details. | OPCW, White Helmets, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,878 | 19.05.2019 | European Court of Justice forbids deporting of illegal refugees | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/european-court-of-justice-forbids-deporting-of-illegal-refugees | NTV - YouTube | null | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The decision of the court in Luxembourg [the European Court of Justice] court forbade Europeans to deport illegal refugees. The Europeans will remember that. | Intentionally misleading reporting. The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU Member States cannot automatically repatriate refugees and asylum seekers who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin, even if they are convicted of crimes. The ruling is based on the Geneva Convention and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. "The Charter prohibits, in absolute terms, torture and inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment, irrespective of the conduct of the person concerned, as well as removal to a State where there is a serious risk of a person being subjected to such treatment," the court said. This rule prevents EU nations from deporting criminal refugees in such cases, although it can enable them to revoke their refugee status and take other punitive steps. | null |
9,879 | 19.05.2019 | Strache-scandal is an information terrorist attack | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-scandal-with-the-former-vice-chancellor-of-austria-is-a-direct-provocation | ru.sputnik.md,RIA | Austria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The scandal surrounding the video recording with the ex-vice-chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache is a well-directed provocation and a trap. This is standard European hysteria about the intervention of the Kremlin in the affairs of other countries. This situation can be described as an information terrorist attack. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the political scandal in Austria. Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign due to allegations of corruption, after offering government contacts to a supposed Russian investor in exchange for help to his Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the 2017 national elections. On 17th of May, 2019, Der Spiegel and the Süddeutsche Zeitung published a secretly recorded video of a meeting in Ibiza, Spain, in July 2017. The two media outlets didn’t reveal the source of the video. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about the Strache case, without giving any evidence to back their claims. | Heinz-Christian Strache, Provocation, Terrorism |
9,880 | 19.05.2019 | Strache-scandal: A special operation to destroy the government of Austria by German intelligence, Merkel involved | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/merkel-and-german-intelligence-conspired-to-destroy-right-wing-parties-in-austria-and-germany-and-possibly-the-austrian-government | Vesti FM - YouTube | Austria, Germany | Outlet language(s)
Russian | It is not a coincidence that a video about Austrian vice-chancellor was leaked 4 days before the European elections and that it was leaked by German, not Austrian media. Merkel declared war to right-wing parties. Manfred Weber announced that he would fight anyone who is destroying Europe, including nationalists and populists. Austrian intelligence was turned into outcast in Europe by the Germans. It is all related and very similar to a provocation orchestrated by the secret service. German intelligence is conducting surveillance not only on German right-wing parties, but also those abroad. When right-wing parties came to power in Austria they stopped the German surveillance. Therefore it is logical that there was a special operation to destroy the government of Austria. Perhaps in one year we will learn whether it was an operation to diminish popularity of the right-wing forces in Austria and German, or if this was operation to destroy the government in Austria. Who is responsible? Germany is really prominent in this, in creating these informational waves. | No evidence given, conspiracy theory. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about the source of the video, without giving any evidence to back their claims. The video was first reported on by the German magazine Spiegel and the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. The two media outlets didn’t reveal the source of the video. There is no evidence to support the theory that the video is a result of German secret service operation. | Angela Merkel, Secret services |
9,881 | 19.05.2019 | Political scandal in Austria is a perfect provocation of European liberals against the right wing politicians | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/political-scandal-in-austria-is-a-perfect-provocation-of-european-liberals-against-the-right-wing-politicians | tass.ru | Austria | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The political scandal surrounding former vice-chancellor of Austria Heinz-Christian Strache is a perfect provocation of European liberal forces against right-wing politicians. The plot is obvious: the attack on the even of the European election, “Russian trace”, allegedly independent journalistic investigation… // The Strache-scandal is an international campaign, and other “sensations” with “Russian trace” will follow. | Conspiracy theory. No sign of Strache-campaign being part of an international master-plan. 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. There is no evidence to support the claim that that European liberal parties are involved. | Heinz-Christian Strache, EU elections 2019 |
9,882 | 18.05.2019 | Alyaksandr Lukashenka skipped the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels because the West could organise his killing | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/alyaksandr-lukashenka-skipped-the-eastern-partnership-summit-in-brussels-because-the-west-could-organise-his-killing | teleskop-by.org | Belarus | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Neither pro-West experts nor the Belarusian Foreign Minister, Uladzimir Makey, know why Alyaksandr Lukashenka did not accept the EU’s invitation to attend the Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Brussels to mark its 10th anniversary. Attending the summit meant that Lukashenka would have to meet and hug the failed robber of the Ukrainian people, Petro Poroshenko, hence, aggravating Belarus-Ukraine relations. Alyaksandr Lukashenka is well aware that such anniversaries and visits have no value. Furthermore, he rightly does not trust the West’s bureaucracy which, with assistance from Belarusian puppets can organise a vile provocation including the physical elimination of a politician disliked by all. | This message is a conspiracy consistent with extreme modification of recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's attempts to destabilise Belarus and to organise a colour revolution in the country. Belarusian FM Uladzimir Makey explained Alexander Lukashenko's decision to skip the summit through an insufficient level of Belarus-EU cooperation. See another extreme modification of this narrative in an earlier disinformation case alleging that the Belarusian opposition, civic activists and independent journalists make kill lists for Western security bodies. | West, Eastern Partnership, European Union, Alexander Lukashenko, Conspiracy theory |
9,883 | 18.05.2019 | OPCW leaked report contradicts official conclusions about Douma attack | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/opcw-leaked-report-contradicts-official-conclusions-about-douma-attack | actualidad.rt.com | Syria | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | A report prepared by engineers of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) contradicts the final report of this same UN institution about the events in the Syrian city of Douma (Eastern Ghouta) in April 2018, and raise questions about the existence of political pressure from the US, UK and France. According to the document, “there is a higher probability” that two gas cylinders found in Douma “were manually placed at those to locations rather than being delivered from an aircraft”, which means that Syrian rebels could perfectly have planted them there. “The dimensions, characteristics and appearance of the cylinders and the surrounding scene of the incidents, were inconsistent with what would have been expected in the case of either cylinder been delivered from an aircraft”, the engineers concluded. | Recurring disinformation narratives deflecting blame for chemical attacks from the Assad regime; painting the White Helmets as terrorists; and aiming to discredit the OPCW. The "never-before-seen-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 organization. The individual, however, was affiliated with the OPCW as an engineer and apparently have 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 leaked document's authenticity, its conclusion that the cylinders could not have been dropped from helicopters: a) has been addressed in the actual OPCW report on Douma (Annex 6, pp. 55-56); b) does not support the claim that the incident was staged "and designed to frame the Syrian government." The White Helmets have not once been "busted" staging anything, see our debunking on the subject for more details. | false flag, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,884 | 17.05.2019 | In contrast to Russia, western Europe is abandoning Christian roots | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/in-contrast-to-russia-western-europe-is-abandoning-christian-roots | Sozh | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Western Europe is moving away from its Christian roots. The western European society gets dominated by materialism and pursuit of money. Western Europeans are disappointed with the Christian church primarily because of the way of life of local priests, which is full of materialism and debauchery. European culture has abandoned Christianity, and is getting absorbed by Muslim migrants. In contrast, the Russian Orthodox Church has preserved the original Christian spirit. Eastern Slavs are more likely to sacrifice themselves and their lives for the others. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the Islamisation of Europe, in line with a similar narrative on the morally decaying West. Despite the dropping levels of religious practice in Europe, the majority of western Europeans still identify themselves as Christians, a 2018 survey by the Pew Research Center shows. According to the same survey, 31% of western Europeans who identify themselves as Christians attend religious services at least monthly. At the same time one of the 2018 polls in Russia concluded that 17% of Russians who identify themselves as Orthodox Christians attend church at least monthly. See a collection of earlier disinformation cases concerning the Orthodox church. | West, Russian superiority, Orthodox Church, Muslim/Islam, Christianity, Conspiracy theory |
9,885 | 17.05.2019 | Petro Poroshenko bargained for security guarantees from Washington but was eventually tricked | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/petro-poroshenko-bargained-for-security-guarantees-from-washington-and-was-eventually-cheated | teleskop-by.org | US, Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Petro Poroshenko was delaying the transition of power because, in exchange, he was bargaining with Washington for security guarantees. Poroshenko wants to be sure that after stepping down as President, he will not be imprisoned by the Ukrainian oligarch, Ihor Kolomoisky and his people. Such guarantees were imitated by Washington through the opening of a criminal case against Kolomoisky. This would demonstrate to Poroshenko that in order to avoid extradition, Kolomoisky would not dare to leave Israel and return to Ukraine. However, after the vote on Volodymyr Zelensky’s inauguration passed in the Ukrainian parliament, the Americans broke their guarantees. This is seen by Kolomoisky’s immediate arrival in Kyiv just hours after the parliamentary decision. Generally, Poroshenko lost the presidential elections because his external curators disliked two things. First, Donald Trump did not forgive Poroshenko for the arrest of Trump’s lawyer Paul Manafort on a tip off from Poroshenko. The second reason was Poroshenko’s autonomous ‘foray’ in the Kerch Strait. | Conspiracy and recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the US meddling in Ukraine's elections, Western control over Ukraine and concerning the conflict in Kerch Strait. It was indeed reported in early April 2019 that the FBI is investigating potential financial crimes by Ihor Kolomoisky. However, there is no proof that the investigation began because the US authorities decided to imitate certain security guarantees to Petro Poroshenko which were later violated, as alleged in the article. Robert Mueller's 448-page report, which mentions Ukraine a dozen times, mostly in a part which assesses Paul Manafort's ties to Russia and Ukraine, does not contain a single mention of Petro Poroshenko. See earlier cases alleging that the US introduced anti-Russian sanctions in exchange for anti-Trump damaging information from Poroshenko’s team and that the US did not allow Petro Poroshenko to win as he began leading the US into a war with Russia. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Kerch, Donald Trump, Conspiracy theory, Petro Poroshenko |
9,886 | 17.05.2019 | Russia lost PACE voting rights due to political discrimination | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-lost-pace-voting-rights-due-to-political-discrimination | RT English | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
English | European nations quickly billed Crimea’s reunification with Russia in 2014 as “annexation,” and proceeded to suspend Moscow’s PACE membership rights in a discriminatory and politically motivated move. | Recurring pro-Kremlin narratives on Ukraine, Crimea, and the alleged anti-Russian attitudes harboured by Western officials and organizations. The report mixes falsehood and gross understatement to mask the actual reason Moscow had its PACE voting rights suspended, which was explicitly named in Resolution 1990 of 10 April 2014: "the violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation in early March 2014," and the annexation of the Crimean peninsula in an "illegal so-called referendum" (p. 1). The "referendum" was held at gunpoint, in violation of the Ukrainian Constitution and international law, and condemned by a crushing majority of UN members (not just "European nations"). See our debunking of the "democratic referendum" claim here. More broadly, the Kremlin has long used the misnomer "Ukrainian crisis" to divorce itself from responsibility for events in Ukraine since 2014 -- particularly its brutal military campaign in the Donbas -- presenting them instead as a self-contained case of bad governance and poor geopolitical choices. See this report for a detailed refutal of this claim. | Council of Europe, Anti-Russian, Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea, Referendum, Russophobia, War in Ukraine |
9,887 | 17.05.2019 | The Crimean peninsula was reunified with Russia five years ago | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-crimean-peninsula-was-reunified-with-russia-five-years-ago | Sputnik Germany | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
German | The Crimean peninsula was reunified with Russia five years ago. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the annexation of Crimea claiming that Crimean citizens chose to rejoin Russia through a legal referendum. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on the 16th of March 2014. On the 27th of February 2014, when the so-called referendum was announced, 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. A year later Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum. Following the covert invasion of “little green men,” power in Crimea was vested in a makeshift executive headed by Sergey Aksenov, a former mafia enforcer. The new Crimean regime conducted the referendum hastily and at gunpoint, barred impartial observers from entering the peninsula, and instead invited dozens of fringe politicians and activists to “monitor” the procedure, most of them far-right Kremlin loyalists. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, recognised April 17th 2015 that "our soldiers were deployed in Crimea to help the inhabitants express their opinion" (Interfax). Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum. Five years after the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the EU issued a statement in which it confirms its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterates that it does not recognise and continues to condemn this violation of international law. | illegal annexation, Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea, Referendum |
9,888 | 17.05.2019 | Al Nusra Front plans to carry out a false chemical attack in Syria and blame Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/al-nusra-front-plans-false-chemical-attack-syria-blame-russia | mundo.sputniknews.com,actualidad.rt.com,mundo.sputniknews.com | Syria | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | Syrian terrorist group Al Nusra Front is preparing a false-flag attack in Saraqib, Idlib province, to accuse the Russian Air Force of using chemical weapons against civilians, according to the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Fighting Parts, which affirms that bomb shrapnel is being planted there from other regions of Syria. | No evidence is provided to support this claim. Alleged false-flag chemical attacks are a recurrent narrative in Russian disinformation. You can see other examples of this here, here and here. | false flag, Chemical weapons/attack, Syrian War |
9,889 | 17.05.2019 | The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine impedes the implementation of the Minsk agreements in the Donbas | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/verkhovna-rada-of-ukraine-impedes-the-implementation-of-the-minsk-agreements-in-the-donbas | Pervyi Kanal | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The new president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, should dissolve the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, because the deputies of the current convocation are preventing Zelenskyi from fulfilling the Minsk agreements. Russian mercenaries in Donbas do not violate international agreements and adhere to the Minsk agreements, unlike Kyiv. | The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is not responsible for violations of the Minsk Agreements because Russian mercenaries in the occupied Donbas violate international agreements by attacking the Ukrainian army on a daily basis. According to a report by the OSCE monitoring mission, in the first quarter of 2019, more than 83,000 cease-fire violations were recorded in Donbas. In addition, Russia and the "LDNR" militants refuse Ukraine’s proposals on the exchange of prisoners. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that Russia deliberately delays the process of exchanging prisoners, using Ukrainian citizens as a lever to pressure Ukrainian authorities. The last such exchange between Ukraine and Russia occurred at the end of December 2017. Since then, Russia has rejected any proposals from the Ukrainian side. You can read more about the Minsk Agreement. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Minsk agreements, Donbas |
9,890 | 16.05.2019 | Kyiv is not going to fulfil the Minsk Agreements | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-is-not-going-to-fulfil-the-minsk-agreements | russian.rt.com | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | Ukraine has repeatedly tried to solve this issue by force. This is what led to the Minsk agreements. The words of the commander of the military operation, Sergei Naev, that they ‘would need just one day of military action to liberate the occupied territory’, once again confirm that the Ukrainian side is not going to fulfil the Minsk agreements. | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Minsk agreements. In the interview with "TSN. Tyzhden", which is being discussed, General Sergiy Naev only answered the journalist's question about how long the liberation of occupied territories would take. At the same time, General Sergiy Naev noted in the same interview that at the moment there are no immediate plans for the returning the occupied territories, and the operation first and foremost has a stabilisation function. | Ukraine, Eastern Ukraine, Minsk agreements, War in Ukraine |
9,891 | 16.05.2019 | Saudi Arabia takes steps towards recognising Crimea as part of Russia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/saudi-arabia-takes-steps-towards-recognition-of-crimea-as-a-part-of-russia | fr.sputniknews.com,iz.ru,iz.ru | Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
French, Russian | The Saudi Embassy in Moscow issues visas to Russian Crimean Muslim pilgrims without informing the Ukrainian authorities. Riyadh has de facto recognised the Crimeans as citizens of Russia. Despite the absence of official recognition, the monarchy is changing its attitude towards Crimea and Russia as a whole. | Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Moscow confirmed that it has been issuing visas for Crimean Tatars willing to make a Hajj, in Moscow, in their Russian passports, since 2014. Since 2015, a Russian intermediary company with offices in Moscow and in Crimea has been operating as a Hajj tour operator. However, Saudi Arabia does not link the issue of visas with the recognition of Crimea. The Council of Muftis of the Russian Federation urged Russian media outlet "Izvestia", which raised the question itself, not to mix politics and religious pilgrimage. The practice of the Saudis issuing visas for pilgrims has been going on for five years. No recent changes showing a different attitude of Saudi Arabia to this issue can be demonstrated. In 2014, Saudi Arabia voted for the UN GA's resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia did not express any intent to recognise Crimea Russian since then. No direct international flights can go from Crimea to Saudi Arabia, following the ICAO sanctions, and the pilgrims use Russian airports. See more disinformation cases about the illegal annexation of Crimea. | Crimean Tatars, Crimea |
9,892 | 16.05.2019 | NATO is an offensive alliance | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/nato-is-an-offensive-alliance | RT Germany - YouTube | null | Outlet language(s)
German | NATO has always been an offensive alliance. (…) NATO is an artificial structure of a badly concealed power politics that wants to occupy the globe. (04:39-4:50) | Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, portraying NATO as a threat to peace and having a belligerent agenda. NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. Its exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. NATO is regularly updating the military requirements for civilian infrastructure, at a time when there are increased challenges to security. | null |
9,893 | 16.05.2019 | The European Commission suffers from Russophobia | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-european-commission-suffers-from-russophobia | tsargrad.tv | Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The European Commission is a Russophobic organisation that suffers because of its constant fear of Russia. It is time for European bureaucrats to stop treating Russia so badly. | The statement that the European Commission suffers from Russophobia is a classic narrative of Russian propaganda. No evidence provided. | European Commission, European Union, Russophobia |
9,894 | 15.05.2019 | Petro Poroshenko deliberately created complications for the Zelenskyi administration through a new law on the Ukrainian language | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/petro-poroshenko-deliberately-complicates-the-work-of-the-zelensky-administration-through-a-new-law-on-the-ukrainian-language | Rossia 24 | Ukraine | Outlet language(s)
Russian | At the end of his term, the fifth president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, managed to harm the new president of the country, Volodymyr Zelenskyi. In order to complicate the Zelenskyi administration’s work and provoke social tensions in Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, before the inauguration of Zelenskyi, specially signed a new law “On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language”. | Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the language law in Ukraine. See previous cases here. The Verkhovna Rada passed the law "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language", on April 29, 2019. The law establishes mandatory use of the Ukrainian language in most areas of public and communal life, including the mass media. The law was submitted to a vote by the Verkhovna Rada in back 2017. In October 2018, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the draft law on the state language in the first reading. At the end of February 2019, it began consideration of the second reading, which lasted almost two months. The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, signed the law, in line with his Constitutional powers at the time. | Volodymyr Zelensky, Petro Poroshenko |
9,895 | 15.05.2019 | Life in Western countries means living in dirt and constant fear, surrounded by criminals and homeless people | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/life-in-western-countries-means-living-in-dirt-and-constant-fear-surrounded-by-criminals-and-homeless-people | topcor.ru,Oko Planet,cont.ws | US, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Russian | The most problematic issues in the US are very high housing prices and high criminal rates. Above all, many Americans live in constant fear of nuclear war and attack from the Russians. It is worth thinking a lot before emigrating from Russia to the Western countries to live in the dirt and constant fear, surrounded by criminals and homeless people. | This message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's decline. Whereas the given publication focuses on adverse socio-economic factors, usually this narrative takes the form of criticism of the West from the 'moral values' perspective. It contains the illogical conclusion and ungrounded generalisation aimed to discredit Western countries. Although the publication provides only (mostly ungrounded) US-related claims, it discourages people from moving to the 'West' implying that living conditions are generally unfavourable there. | Western values, West, Conspiracy theory |
9,896 | 15.05.2019 | Rat poison is added to the tap water in the US because of the high rat population in US cities | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/rat-poison-is-added-in-the-us-tap-water-because-of-high-rat-population-in-us-cities | topcor.ru,Oko Planet,cont.ws | US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | One of the most problematic daily issues in the US is sodium fluoride, which is rat poison, in US tap water. This is connected with the fact that many rats live in US cities, caused by dirty streets, a huge number of fast food restaurants with leftovers and other rubbish. High numbers of homeless people also add to the rat problem. | This disinformation is based on an old myth saying that fluoride is used in rat poison, proving it’s dangerous. Most of the fluoride used to help teeth is called sodium fluoride (NaF), whereas rat poison often uses a different compound called sodium fluoroacetate (FCH2CONa). Although the US (just as in most of the countries in the world) indeed has some problems with water treatment systems and reports show that chemicals and hazardous substances are found in tap water throughout different US communities, the claim connecting the use of fluoride in tap water and the rats living in the US cities is an absurd ungrounded conspiracy. However, the fluoride compound in question is very different from the one used for water fluoridation, that is the process of controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply to reduce tooth decay. The myth about fluoride and rat poison is often debunked by dentists and scientists. Water fluoridation was, by the way, occasionally used in Russia and the USSR, too. It is reported that milk fluoridation is practised in Russia for the prevention of dental illnesses. After scientific studies suggested that fluoridated water may cause health problems, water fluoridation was stopped in a number of US communities. However one recent study shows that the end of this practice in a given community has worsened the oral health of its residents. | Virus / bacteria threat |
9,897 | 15.05.2019 | Prison population in the US is larger than in the USSR under Joseph Stalin | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/prison-population-in-the-us-is-larger-than-in-the-ussr-under-joseph-stalin | topcor.ru,Oko Planet,cont.ws | USSR, US | Outlet language(s)
Russian | One of the most problematic issues in the US is the high criminal rates. More people are imprisoned in the US than the number of prisoners in the USSR during Stalin times. Despite this, most criminals roam freely in the streets. | This message provides the facts out of context, thus, misrepresenting the US judicial system.At the end of 2016, nearly 2.2 million adults were held in US prisons and jails, which is approximately 655 people for every 100,000 people residing in the US. In 2015, in Russia around 642,500 people were held behind bars, which is around 432 prisoners per 100,000 people, the highest rate in Europe.When it comes to Stalin times in the USSR, the tentative historical consensus among archival researchers and historians who utilise such data is that around 18 million people passed through Gulag from 1930 to 1953, of them between 1.5 to 1.7 million people perished as a result of their detention.Furthermore, official figures (unofficial estimates give higher numbers) say that in the years of the Great Purge in 1937-1938 over 680,000 people were executed in the USSR on political charges.It is hardly correct and appropriate at all to compare the numbers of prisoners in the present-time US and the USSR under Stalin, given that during Stalinism, millions of people received their prison terms following inadequate and often ungrounded accusations rather than fair criminal proceedings.The United States is placed high (20th) in the global rank on Criminal Justice and 19th in the global rank of Rule of Law Index prepared by authoritative World Justice Project's research team. | Western values, Joseph Stalin, Conspiracy theory |
9,898 | 15.05.2019 | Spanish government may know a secret US plan to attack Iran | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/spanish-government-may-know-a-secret-us-plan-to-attack-iran | mundo.sputniknews.com | Iran | Outlet language(s)
Spanish | Spain may be aware of a secret US plan to attack Iran. That could be the reason why they decided to pull out Spanish frigate Méndez Núñez from the naval attack group accompanying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. | No evidence is provided to support this claim. Actually, the Spanish government explained very clearly that the reason why they decided to order the Méndez Núñez frigate to leave the group was because it changed its stated original mission. Spain’s acting defence minister, Margarita Robles, said that the decision is technical and military, not political, and that the frigate will rejoin the fleet once it reaches the Indian Ocean, according to Spanish newspaper El País. You can see other examples of disinformation about alleged war plans against Iran here and here. | War preparation |
9,899 | 15.05.2019 | Crimea became part of Russia following a referendum five years ago | https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/crimea-became-part-of-russia-following-the-referendum-five-years-ago | pl.sputniknews.com | Ukraine, Russia | Outlet language(s)
Polish | Crimea celebrates the fifth anniversary of the referendum which was followed by its integration with Russia. Five years ago, the vast majority of Crimea chose the first option from the two possible on the ballot paper: For Crimea’s integration with Russia, based on its rights as subject of the Russian Federation. | A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Crimea and the referendum of 2014. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on the 16th of March 2014. On the 27th of 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. Five years after the referendum, the EU re-affirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. | Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea, Referendum |