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18.01.2023

Washington and Brussels planning war against Russia, similar to Napoleon and Hitler

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/washington-and-brussels-planning-war-against-russia-similar-to-napoleon-and-hitler

tj.sputniknews.ru,sputnik.by

US, Russia, Ukraine

Russian

Washington and Brussels are going to war against Russia until the last Ukrainian. The West lacks instruments and options to win, whereas the Russian troops are successfully demolishing the Ukrainian forces and reaching the goals of the special military operation. The West fails to learn from history. Napoleon and Hitler once mobilised the whole of Europe in an attack against Russia. Today Washington has mobilised all western powers to reach a “decisive solution of the Russian issue”. Nato has not seriously calculated the consequences of US military and political adventurism. The Ukrainian case will be another shameful US military loss after Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

This article contains wrong historical analogies and disinformation aimed at discrediting the EU / West as a whole, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about alleged Western aggressiveness towards Russia and its anti-Russian activities. It also includes the narrative that Ukraine is a Western "tool" against Russia aiming to deflect any Russian responsibility for the unjustified wide-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022. The Russian war against Ukraine began in 2014 with the Russian illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia's military involvement and support of separatists in Donbas.The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine and some NATO countries are supporting Ukraine with weapons to help it uphold its right for self-defence.The article also draws a link to Nazi Germany and Napoleon, which is one of the favourite techniques of pro-Kremlin outlets. Learn more about the reasons behind the Kremlin's obsession with Nazism in the EUvsDisinfo analysis titled "Nazi east, Nazi west, Nazi over the cuckoo's nest" and "Why does Putin portray himself as the tamer of neo-Nazism".The European Union was set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. The Nazi ideology and the EU are based on opposite values ​​and principles. Read more here. In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.The article misuses the Holocaust, speaking about the “decisive solution of the Russian issue”. On 19 January 2023, the Diplomatic Service of the European Union issued a Statement by the High Representative on this matter, following similar comments by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. The statement called them “entirely misplaced, disrespectful and trampling on the memory of the six million Jewish people, and other victims, who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust”.See earlier disinformation cases claiming that the Anglo-Saxons rule America “from abroad” and are now trying to control Russia, that Anglo-Saxons are on the edge of an anti-Russian attack, that the West has approved a new ‘Barbarossa’ plan to attack Russia, and that the West is about waging a war against Russia from Belarusian territory.

War in Ukraine, Nazi/Fascist, Adolf Hitler, Anti-Russian

18.01.2023

The West has only inefficient scrap metal weapons for Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-has-only-inefficient-scrap-metal-weapons-for-ukraine

novorosinform.org

Ukraine, US, EU, UK

Russian

First, these [donated to Ukraine] weapons will not reach the frontline. Anything that is more or less mobile will be neutralised by Russian forces, and the rest of those rusty machines will just stop working.

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Western military-industrial complex and inferiority of NATO weapons.The claim that Western military aid delivered to Ukraine is made of “scrap metal, junk and rusty tanks” is ungrounded and wishful thinking. In recent months, Ukraine has received the most advanced and hi-tech weapons from Western countries such as the Javelin and Stinger complexes, HIMARS missile complexes and dozens of other types of advanced military equipment. Besides this, as a response to the Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, the US announced the delivery of the Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. The UK recently announced the delivery of 14 Challenger 2 tanks, the newest British main battle tank, in service since 1998. Moreover, all donated weapons undergo maintenance and, if necessary, repair. See similar disinformation cases claiming that the West provides Ukraine with scrap metal weapons; US weapon and military technology providers benefit from prolonging the war in Ukraine; Europe is a colony serving the interests of the American military-industrial complex and US companies promote war in Ukraine to sell weapons.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

18.01.2023

Dnipro missile was intercepted by Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/dnipro-missile-was-intercepted-by-ukrainian-anti-aircraft-fire

lantidiplomatico.it

Ukraine, Russia

Italian

Zelensky's top advisor, Alexey Arestovich, claimed that the Russian missile that crashed into a building in Dnipro, causing over eighty deaths, had been intercepted by Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire and confirmed Moscow's version. Later he was forced to deny and he had to resign.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claim trying to deflect responsibility for strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia.On 14 January 2023 a Russian cruise missile struck a nine-storey apartment building killing at least 44 people and injuring another 75, with 40 people reported missing (figures as of 17 January).Russia has been systematically attacking civilian targets throughout its war of aggression against Ukraine.Although initially Ukrainian presidential adviser said it appeared that the Russian missile had fallen on the building after it was shot down by Ukrainian air defence, he later retracted the statement and said he made a fundamental error.Ukraine said the building was hit by a Russian Kh-22 missile, which it does not have the capability to shoot down.This strike became the most destructive Russian attack on a residential building in Ukraine in the last six months. The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.Russian strike on a civilian residential building has been widely condemned. EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell called Russian strike inhumane aggression directly targeting civilians. The UN Secretary-General condemned the strike, saying it was “another example of a suspected violation of the laws of war.”Read a similar case claiming that apartment building in Dnipro was destroyed by Ukrainian air defense.

Missile defence system, war crimes, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine

18.01.2023

Dnipro tragedy was the fault of Kyiv

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/dnipro-tragedy-was-the-fault-of-kyiv

sputnik-ossetia.ru

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

The tragedy in Dnipro was the fault of Kyiv. A Russian missile launched at an energy infrastructure facility was hit by Ukrainian air defences. And since the air defence system was placed in a residential area in violation of international humanitarian law, the downed missile fell on a residential building.

A recent disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that a Ukrainian air-defence missile hit an apartment building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on 14 January 2023.It was not a Ukrainian missile that killed at least 40 people and wounded 76. It was a Russian Kh-22 missile that hit that apartment building. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) published the names of some Russian servicemen involved in the attack.While international humanitarian observers have expressed concern about some isolated breaches of international humanitarian law by Ukrainian forces in the war, such as occasional mistreatment of Russian prisoners (which the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights described as “sporadic cases of torture and ill-treatment”) or suspicions of executing Russian soldiers who had surrendered, they didn’t find a systematic pattern of abuse. In addition, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly expressed their willingness to address, investigate and punish potential abuses and war crimes by its own forces.Contrary to what this disinformation story affirms, Russian forces have systematically violated international humanitarian law, including mass executions and torture, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the forceful abduction of children.Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

18.01.2023

Helicopter crash in Brovary caused by Ukrainian air defence

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/helicopter-crash-in-brovary-caused-by-ukrainian-air-defence

geworld.ge

Ukraine

Georgian

Media and Telegram channels immediately claimed that the helicopter crash in Brovary was caused by Ukrainian air defence, not bad weather or a crew error. The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been deliberately killed because of the deep division in Ukrainian leadership. Unofficially, it is reported that the helicopter, was targeted by a portable anti-aircraft missile system of one of the territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

A conspiracy theory attempting to portray the recent helicopter crash in Brovary as the result of an internal struggle in Ukraine. No evidence has been provided to show this.It is premature to state the reason for this tragedy. The Security Service of Ukraine launched an official investigation to find out the cause of the crash. It states that, as of now, three versions are being considered: violation of flight rules, technical malfunction of the helicopter, or deliberate actions to destroy the aircraft.The Prosecutor General's Office said "all possible versions" of the helicopter crash are on the table.The Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat told that investigations in such cases take a lot of time because it is necessary to establish all factors and to reconstruct the sequence of events."Each part of the helicopter is collected, each detail can say something, give more information on what had happened. Air crashes can have various reasons that might have had effect. A combination of factors could have contributed, as well as the weather conditions that had not been very favorable. The established commission will determine all the factors and give an assessment,” Ihnat told.See more of the Kremlin's disinformation narratives on Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Conspiracy theory, Information war

17.01.2023

US pumps capital out of EU countries to boost its economy

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-pumps-capital-out-of-eu-countries-to-boost-its-economy

bgr.news-front.info

US, EU

Bulgarian

Crises in allied countries have always been a chance for America to boost its economy and its military-industrial complex as well as make sure the EU capital is moving to the US. The economic rivalry between the EU and the US is further exacerbated thanks to EU investments outflowing to the US, along with EU industry and jobs.

The article utilizes a popular pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the US taking advantage of the EU whilst the economies of European countries are collapsing. This is an effort to convince readers that the US is exploiting the EU, as well as to deflect responsibility for the war from the Kremlin by claiming that the US has a hidden agenda to benefit from the invasion.While the US is the most important ally of the EU, EU Member States are independent sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own internal, economic, foreign and security policies. The EU is created by the voluntary initiative of European nations and its citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament. EU countries are represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU. The EU is explicit on the subject of national sovereignty: “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 US is not part of the EU’s institutions and has no say in their decision-making processes.The US is not siphoning investment out of Europe. Instead, economic data shows that US direct investment in Europe has been growing steadily in the last few years. The EU and the US have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. Тhe EU and the US are each other’s biggest sources of foreign direct investments which support millions of working places in both entities. The EU and US have a high-level dialogue on the US Investment Reduction Act. See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Europe doesn’t support peace negotiations in Ukraine because of US pressure, Europe has become a US military and political colony that Europe is happy with being cannon fodder for the US or that the EU is a cover-up for the anti-Russian game of Anglo-Saxons.

US presence in Europe, Sovereignty, European Union

17.01.2023

Ukrainian air defense missile destroyed a residential building in Dnipro

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-air-defense-missile-destroyed-a-residential-building-in-dnipro

tsargrad.tv

Ukraine

Russian

The Ukrainian media and public were quick to blame the Russian military for this [attack on the Dnipro apartment block], but it was the Ukrainian air defense system that was to blame for the tragedy.An analysis of the impact site [...] shows that it is right next to the Pridneprovska thermal power plant. So it becomes obvious that the missile was shot down from its trajectory, most likely, aiming at the thermal power plant and did not fly specifically to the residential building. And the trouble for the inhabitants was brought by the air defense, which is located right in the cities.In the city, military facilities are easier to cover behind civilians, and if the latter are hit, you can raise a media wave. Which, in fact, is already happening, Kyiv immediately launched another cynical session of "unforgettable and unforgivable".

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claim trying to deflect responsibility for strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia.On 14 January 2023 a Russian cruise missile struck a nine-storey apartment building killing at least 44 people and injuring another 75, with 40 people reported missing, by 17 January (the death toll may rise as the as rescue workers continued to sift through the mountain of concrete).Russia has been systematically attacking civilian targets throughout its war of aggression against Ukraine.Although initially Ukrainian presidential adviser said it appeared that the Russian missile had fallen on the building after it was shot down by Ukrainian air defence, he later retracted the statement and said he made a fundamental error.Ukraine said the building was hit by a Russian Kh-22 missile, which it does not have the capability to shoot down.This strike became the most destructive Russian attack on a residential building in Ukraine in the last six months. The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.Russian strike on a civilian residential building has been widely condemned. EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell called Russian strike inhumane aggression directly targeting civilians. The UN Secretary-General condemned the strike, saying it was “another example of a suspected violation of the laws of war.”The claim that Russia is only striking military targets have been debunked many times. The Russian military regularly bomb civilian infrastructure and residential areas to weaken Ukraine’s resolve and terrorize its population. UN have recorded at least 18,358 civilian casualties since the latest armed conflict began on 24 February, including 7,031 killed and 11,327 injured. However, the exact figures are likely to be much higher as ongoing hostilities have hindered the authorities’ ability to verify possible cases in many parts of the country.Most of the civilian casualties are from airstrikes and explosive weapons used by Russian forces with wide area effects, including heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. As a result, hundreds of residential buildings in many cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol and Kyiv have been damaged and destroyed.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

Invasion of Ukraine

17.01.2023

Kyiv passed from rejecting nuclear weapons to preparing a dirty bomb

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-passed-from-rejecting-nuclear-weapons-to-preparing-a-dirty-bomb

sputniknews.lat

Ukraine, Russia, US, EU

Spanish

In February 2022, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a speech in the Munich Security Conference in which he announced that he would start consultations about the Budapest memorandum and pointed that Ukraine could revoke its status as a country without nuclear weapons. Weeks later, in March 2022, Russian intelligence announced that it had information that Kyiv was actively working on a nuclear weapon. In October, the Russian army declared that it had intel on Ukrainian and British contacts to acquire nuclear weapons technology, while Russian defence minister accused Kyiv of “planning a provocation with the detonation of a so-called ‘dirty bomb’”.

This is a mix of several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives, part of a wider disinformation campaign whose ultimate goal is to present Ukraine as a threat to Russia and therefore justify Russia’s unprovoked aggression against its peaceful neighbour. Moscow violated the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, through which Ukraine agreed to turn its USSR-inherited nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from signatory countries, one of which was Russia, later turned into aggressor. Russian officials and propaganda have deliberately distorted president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech at the Munich Security Conference to portray him as threatening to acquire nuclear weapons, when he actually meant that the Budapest Memorandum would be null if the security guarantors failed to protect Ukraine.None of the claims made by Russia about Ukraine’s plans to acquire or detonate a nuclear artifact have been backed by any evidence, and some of them have been positively proven as false. For example, pictures presented by the Russian Foreign Ministry to illustrate allegations about Ukraine’s ‘dirty bomb’ were actually from 2010 and originally posted by the Slovenian Radioactive Waste Agency, and therefore totally unrelated to the current situation. Western leaders have rejected Russia's 'dirty bomb' claim, and EU High Representative Josep Borrell dismissed the allegations as false. In addition, diplomats from France, Britain and the United States called Russia’s allegation a pretext that Moscow has developed for escalating the war. However, pro-Kremlin outlets continue amplifying this unproven claim, since repeating previous baseless allegations as established facts while introducing minor variations is a frequent pro-Kremlin disinformation technique.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Ukraine is going to use a dirty bomb to accuse Russia of using tactical nuclear weapons, that Ukraine asked NATO for preemptive nuclear strikes against Russia, that Ukraine wanted to acquire nuclear weapons because of American pressure, or that Zelenskyy is pushing the world towards a nuclear war.

Nuclear issues, Budapest memorandum, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

17.01.2023

Russia is not at war with Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-is-not-at-war-with-ukraine

aif.ru,rg.ru

Ukraine, Russia, US, UK

Russian

The sooner the citizens of Ukraine realize that the West is fighting against Russia with their hands, the more lives will be saved. The Americans, the British and other Europeans often create the illusion that they are protecting civilization from barbarism, while implying Russia.The West, for the sake of its ambitions, is practically destroying the Ukrainian people, forcing the active generation to die on the battlefield and bringing the rest of the population to poverty. The events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kyiv, this is a military confrontation between NATO, and above all the United States and UK, with Russia.Fearing direct contact, NATO instructors are driving Ukrainians to certain death. With the help of a special military operation, Russia is liberating its regions from occupation and must put an end to the bloody experiment of the West to destroy the fraternal Ukrainian people.

On 24 February 2022 Russia started an unprovoked full scale invasion of Ukraine, bombing cities all over Ukraine starting from Kyiv. On 30 September 2022 Russia amended its Constitution, adding to its territory the occupied parts of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporyzhya regions. Pro-Ukrainian activists were tortured and killed in the temporarily occupied territories and Ukrainian children were abducted for adoption in Russia.The West is not at war with Russia, despite the pro-Kremlin narrative that "always blames the West". The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In several Western countries instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weapons and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.Different narratives of why Russia started the war against Ukraine have been advanced since 24 February 2022: protection of the "people of Donbas" from "Ukrainian nazis", biological weapons and nuclear weapons developed in Ukraine, returning of historical Russia's lands. None of these narratives was proven in any international instance, despite Russia's attempts. Thus, IAEA did not find any traces of work on a nuclear dirty bomb in Ukraine. As for "biological weapons", pro-Kremlin media published fabricated "evidence" with glaring Ukrainian language mistakes.The creation of a special tribunal on Russia for the crime of aggression is being discussed by European diplomacies.

Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine

17.01.2023

The EU-NATO agreement aims to weaken the European Union

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-nato-agreement-aims-to-weaken-the-european-union

oroszhirek.hu

Russia, US, Europe

Hungarian

NATO seeks to weaken the European Union and use its resources to prolong its own existence. NATO, as an organisation, has long since lost its purpose, and is sparing no energy to prolong its existence by deliberately creating enemies for itself, is trying to increase tensions in the South China Sea region. Washington is trying to turn the EU into a military and logistical base and to redeploy European capital, resources, manpower and even military power to the Asia-Pacific region.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about an allegedly aggressive NATO, and a weakened EU.On 10 January 2023, the EU and NATO signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation – this Declaration underlined a NATO-EU strategic partnership, condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine and presented NATO as a foundation of the European and American collective defence. The EU-NATO Cooperation Declaration is aimed at strengthening the mechanism of collective defence – this document does not assume any aggressive actions against Russia. The agreement is not about NATO’s attempt to rule over the EU either, since the members of these international organisations are mostly similar. Since Russia began its aggressive actions against Ukraine, Russian officials have accused NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions. NATO is a defensive alliance with the primary aims of maintaining peace and safeguarding the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Read five myths concerning NATO debunked here.Additionally, a loss of sovereignty to the US is a common narrative of pro-Kremlin media when writing about the European Union. EU Member States are sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own internal, economic, foreign and security policies. The European Union is explicit on the subject of national sovereignty: “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.”See similar cases in our database: Disinfo: The madmen of EU and NATO are planning a world war, The role of NATO is to increase the confrontation with Russia; NATO aims to destabilise Europe; Russophobic Baltic NATO States are responsible for turning defensive NATO-alliance into a confrontation with Russia; NATO is leading humanity to WWIII.

NATO, European Union, US presence in Europe

17.01.2023

Russian missile to hit a residential building in Dnipro is a fake, it was a gas explosion

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russian-missile-to-hit-a-residential-building-in-dnipro-is-a-fake-it-was-a-gas-explosion

t.me,dnepr-news.ru,spbdnevnik.ru,Bloknot Russia

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

Ukrainian media lied about a Russian missile hit a residential building in Dnipro. In fact, there was a gas explosion in the building.Similar destruction can be seen in photographs of the aftermath of domestic gas explosions in Kyiv and Novaya Odessa.Most likely, a Ukrainian air defence missile failed to hit a Russian missile aimed at a military facility and hit a residential building, as a result of which the gas exploded. This is confirmed by satellite images, which show that in the direction of the flight of the Russian missile there was a military facility, where, apparently, expensive and tactically important military equipment was stored, and which was covered by Ukrainian air defence forces.

On 14 January 2023 a Russian heavy cruise missile struck a nine-storey apartment building overlooking a park near the river, killing at least 44 people and injuring another 75, with 40 people reported missing, by 17 January (death toll is rising as the as rescue workers continued to sift through the mountain of concrete). This strike became the most destructive Russian attack on a residential building in Ukraine in the last six months.The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.On January 16, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that it had identified the Russian military involved in the missile attack. Criminal proceedings were opened against them under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war). Six soldiers, whose data was published by the SBU, are from the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. It is deployed in the village of Shaikovka in the Kaluga region.After inspecting the site of the tragedy, the type of Russian cruise missile - Kh-22, which the enemy used to hit the residential building, has been preliminarily confirmed. After relevant examinations, the individuals involved will be notified of suspicion of committing a particularly serious crime against Ukraine, says SBU.On the available video recordings, no interception of any missile is seen or heard, and only one explosion is heard - when it hits the house, says Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT). What was the purpose of the missile? In this case, the nearest important target - Pridneprovska combined heat and power plant - is located 4 km from the building that was hit. It is possible that the missile itself was defective, due to which it deviated from the given trajectory by such a large distance. During the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were cases when outdated coordinates were used (there used to be a military facility in one place or another, and now it is residential development), says Conflict Intelligence Team.Several pro-Kremlin media outlets, as well as Putin's press officer Peskov, refer to Oleksiy Arestovich's (adviser to the President of Ukraine) earlier statement that it could have been a Ukrainian air defence missile. (Arestovich apologised and wrote a letter of resignation after his words were amplified by pro-Kremlin media).Arestovich refers to an unnamed source from the air defence, who said that he heard two pops near the explosion site. In urban conditions, it could be a reflected echo, a bang from the passage of a supersonic missile, air defense work on a different target. Therefore it is not a hard evidence, says CIT. "Oleksiy Arestovich is undoubtedly right about one thing: in any case, it is Russia [Russian invasion of Ukraine] that is responsible for this incident", - reminds CIT.

Invasion of Ukraine

17.01.2023

The West uses losses in Ukraine to channel human organ exports

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-uses-losses-in-ukraine-to-channel-human-organ-exports

bgr.news-front.info

Ukraine, Europe, US

Bulgarian

The US and Europe are using not only the territory of Ukraine as a military-biological testing ground but the Ukrainians themselves. The West is reaping medical dividends from Kyiv through medical experiments and illegal organ trafficking. Some members of the Ukrainian army who end up in Western hospitals are turned into experimental subjects. Furthermore, on the front line, a few hundred dollars can be paid for a seriously or mortally wounded soldier who is willing to agree to have his organs harvested in a field hospital.

The article utilises a sensational pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative to obscure the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine through a highly emotional topic. No evidence is given to support accusations that after the start of the invasion, trade in the organs of the armed forces is taking place.Allegations about organ trafficking during military activities in Ukraine are part of the Kremlin’s disinformation toolbox and have been in circulation since 2014. In the past, accusing others of organ trafficking has been a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation technique, be it NATO, Syria’s White Helmets, the Ukrainian army with its own soldiers, or even former Georgian president Mikhail Sakhashvili’s wife.The transplantation of organs is a complex and time-constrained medical procedure and is impossible to be carried out in field conditions. Spontaneously removing an organ with the aim of selling it is nonsensical, as the body of the deceased person should be thoroughly examined. In case of spontaneous removal, nobody knows whether the donor has a sort of chronic disease. Furthermore, if the death occurred due to trauma or injury, as it is with many deceased soldiers, there is a high risk of organ damage. Even if the organ itself is not damaged, problems caused by the damage in the organism often make the organ not suitable for transplantation. Read the full debunk of the story at Myth Detector.As to the claims that Ukrainian soldiers end up in Western hospitals as guinea pigs, it is well documented that Ukrainian soldiers receive adequate treatment at hospitals in the US and EU. A video posted in July by Anton Geraschenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Minister for Internal Affairs, showed soldiers testing the prosthetic legs they were fitted with at a Chicago medical facility.Read other related cases: Children's medical records found in Mariupol suggest an organ trafficking ring, Wounded Ukrainian warriors' blood is pumped out and internal organs sold and Ukraine’s Health Ministry allows dead Ukrainians to be sold for organs.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Human rights, experiments

17.01.2023

The World Economic Forum aims to reduce the human population

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-world-economic-forum-aims-to-reduce-the-human-population

Laivaslaikrastis.lt

Switzerland

Lithuanian

The World Economic Forum (WEF) aims to reduce the human population to 1 billion “chosen” people because there are not enough places and sources in the world for the whole population. For this, the WEF created a “Reset” plan. The plan is in the implementation stage through wars and pandemics, using the poison named “COVID-19 vaccine”.

Recurring conspiracy theory about the so-called “Reset” plan.The claim is presented without any evidence. The World Economic Forum is a well-known independent international organisation. As mentioned in the programme of the Forum's 2023 Annual Meeting, the current event addresses different crises, including the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda of the Forum “will have the dual focus of looking at levers to address the current challenges while at the same time setting them against the backdrop of attendant system transformation imperatives”.A conspiracy theory about ”the Great Reset”, the so-called global plan to change the world in the interest of ”economic elites”, is still repeated periodically, even if it was debunked in November 2020 by BBC's reality check.See other cases linked to this conspiracy: The US created COVID-19 and biological weapons in Ukraine; The globalists at WEF are worse than Hitler and plan to alter human biology; Global elite instigate ethnic conflicts to save their decadent hegemony.

Conspiracy theory, coronavirus, vaccination, Secret elites / global elites

17.01.2023

The switch to LNG dependency is unfavourable to Europe

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-switch-to-lng-dependency-is-unfavourable-to-europe

Sputnik Poland

Russia, EU

Polish

The European hopes to implement an energy transition without LNG are unlikely to come true. Moving away from Russian energy resources made Europe dependent on other suppliers, what can hardly be considered beneficial. By the end of 2022, the share of LNG deliveries to Europe increased to 89%, while the pipeline gas reduced to 11% - the European consumers had to pay for gas almost two times more.Apparently, the European dream to diversify Russian gas supplies did not come true – the dependency on pipeline gas was replaced by dependency on LNG deliveries. It is a very unfavourable situation for European countries – that is why the EU is actively trying to change the gas map in order not to go from one extreme to the other.

This message is a part of a popular pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, claiming that the energy crisis in Europe is caused by an “irrational” European plan to get rid of its dependency on Russian gas. This narrative promotes a traditional pro-Kremlin message that Russia is the only reliable source of gas for Europe, while the American LNG is too expensive.In 2022, the European countries actively switched to LNG deliveries as the main alternative source of gas after the Russian decision to cut off gas supplies to Europe.After the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities completely destroyed the European trust in Gazprom as a predictable and solid partner. Throughout 2022, Russia deliberately cut the gas supplies to the EU and made impossible further gas supplies through the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines.During recent decades, Russia has used its energy resources on multiple occasions as a weapon against other countries, attempting to coerce them into following a pro-Kremlin line.The diversification of energy supplies is one of the cornerstones of the EU’s energy policy – it helps to strengthen European energy security, to prevent the monopolisation of the energy market and to introduce more competition to the energy market.See more disinformation cases on energy issues amid the invasion of Ukraine.

gas, Economic difficulties, Anti-Russian

17.01.2023

Apartment building in Dnipro was destroyed by Ukrainian air defense

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/apartment-building-in-dnipro-was-destroyed-by-ukrainian-air-defense

oroszhirek.hu

Russia, Ukraine

Hungarian

The Russian army did not strike any residential buildings, while the Ukrainian side also said that the collapse of the apartment building in Dnipro on Saturday was the result of an anti-aircraft missile strike. The Russian armed forces do not strike residential buildings or social infrastructure. Strikes are carried out against military targets, whether obvious or camouflaged.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claim trying to deflect responsibility for strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia.On 14 January 2023 a Russian cruise missile struck a nine-storey apartment building killing at least 44 people and injuring another 75, with 40 people reported missing, by 17 January (the death toll may rise as the as rescue workers continued to sift through the mountain of concrete).Russia has been systematically attacking civilian targets throughout its war of aggression against Ukraine.Although initially Ukrainian presidential adviser said it appeared that the Russian missile had fallen on the building after it was shot down by Ukrainian air defence, he later retracted the statement and said he made a fundamental error.Ukraine said the building was hit by a Russian Kh-22 missile, which it does not have the capability to shoot down. This strike became the most destructive Russian attack on a residential building in Ukraine in the last six months. The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.Russian strike on a civilian residential building has been widely condemned. EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell called Russian strike inhumane aggression directly targeting civilians. The UN Secretary-General condemned the strike, saying it was “another example of a suspected violation of the laws of war.”The claim that Russia is only striking military targets have been debunked many times. The Russian military regularly bomb civilian infrastructure and residential areas to weaken Ukraine’s resolve and terrorize its population. UN have recorded at least 18,358 civilian casualties since the latest armed conflict began on 24 February, including 7,031 killed and 11,327 injured. However, the exact figures are likely to be much higher as ongoing hostilities have hindered the authorities’ ability to verify possible cases in many parts of the country.Most of the civilian casualties are from airstrikes and explosive weapons used by Russian forces with wide area effects, including heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. As a result, hundreds of residential buildings in many cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol and Kyiv have been damaged and destroyed.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

war crimes, Invasion of Ukraine, Missile defence system

17.01.2023

The nature of the destruction of the house in Dnepropetrovsk suggests it was not a missile

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-nature-of-the-destruction-of-the-house-in-dnepropetrovsk-suggests-it-was-not-a-missile

vesti.ru

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

During large-scale hostilities, civilians often die. But [Russia] is not to blame for this. Those who provoked this conflict are to blame. Any normal decent person understands that [Russia] did not shoot at a residential building. If only because it makes no sense from a military point of view and the missile costs a lot of money. It makes no sense to spend it on non-military purposes. It seems, by the extent of the destruction, that the missile could not have caused this. Well, it would have destroyed one apartment there. On the Ukrainian Internet, there is a version that this was an explosion. This is a provocation aimed at blaming Russia. One has already heard more than once about the dirty bomb, which everyone has already forgotten about, chemical weapons.

On 14 January 2023 a Russian cruise missile struck a nine-story apartment building overlooking a park near the river, killing at least 44 people and injuring another 75, with 40 people reported missing, by 17 January (the death toll is rising as rescue workers continue to sift through the mountain of concrete). This strike became the most destructive Russian attack on a residential building in Ukraine in the last six months.The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.On 16 January, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that it had identified the Russian military involved in the missile attack. Criminal proceedings were opened against them under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war). Six soldiers, whose data was published by the SBU, are from the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. This regiment is deployed in the village of Shaikovka in the Kaluga region.After inspecting the site of the tragedy, the type of Russian cruise missile - Kh-22, which the enemy used to hit the residential building, has been preliminarily confirmed. After relevant examinations, the individuals involved will be notified of suspicion of committing a particularly serious crime against Ukraine, says SBU.On the available video recordings, no interception of any missile is seen or heard, and only one explosion is heard - when it hits the building, says the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT). The version that there was no missile at all is a conspiracy. On 24 February 2022 Russia started an unprovoked full scale invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin disinformation media pretend that Russia does not conduct a war in Ukraine, only a "special military operation" and that NATO is to blame for the Ukrainian "crisis". Since 2 March 2022, the ICC is conducting an investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine. See other disinformation narratives on the "staged" massacre in Bucha, Ukrainian provocations against Russia, dirty bomb. Pro-Kremlin media pretended that Ukraine was developing a dirty bomb to use it and blame Russia but IAEA did not find any evidence of that.

Invasion of Ukraine, war crimes

17.01.2023

Polish Public Broadcaster uses a map of the country with part of Western Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/polish-public-broadcaster-uses-a-map-of-the-country-with-part-of-western-ukraine

iz.ru,topwar.ru,Moskva 24,Moskovskij Komsomolets

Ukraine, Poland

Russian

Warsaw does not intend to abandon its plans to annex the territory of Western Ukraine, the population of Poland is slowly accustomed to the idea that Lviv and the territories around it are Polish. An example is a regular weather forecast, in which part of the Ukrainian territory is shown as Polish.The Polish Public Broadcaster (TVP 1) aired an updated map of the country which included part of the territory of present-day Western Ukraine. The map appeared on the air of the weather forecast, where Lviv was designated as Polish territory, together with Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn and a number of other regions of Ukraine.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative challenging Ukraine’s statehood and presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions. Apart from smearing Poland, the aim is also to deflect attention away from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The circulated photo of a weather forecast accompanying the claim is a pure fabrication, and it was not broadcast on the Polish Public Broadcaster. The graphic design of the weather forecast of the Polish public broadcaster differs from the one presented by pro-Kremlin outlets and includes only the official territories of Poland. Read the full debunk at Myth Detector.The disinformation message about Poland’s imperial intentions has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland wants either to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or annex these territories or that it is President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land due to his “Polish origin”.Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports and respects the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it does not have any territorial claims against its neighbours and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It is Russia that started an unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover, Poland is also actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Imperialism/colonialism, Occupation

17.01.2023

NATO is Washington’s territorial expansion mechanism

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/eunato-is-washingtons-territorial-expansion-mechanism

sputniknews.lat

EU, US

Spanish

Europe neglected its security and it is now at the mercy of the US and NATO. The US managed to control many European interests without the need of a war, but rather through its military, political and economic weakening. The US found in NATO a territorial expansion mechanism, which quickly became the spearhead of the US in Europe and left the continent without any political independence.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about NATO and Europe’s alleged lack of sovereignty. Contrary to what this disinformation narrative affirms, NATO is not a “US territorial expansion mechanism” nor “left Europe without political independence”, but it is a collective defence alliance whose membership is voluntary, and where decisions are adopted through consultation and consensus. NATO member countries don’t follow US orders but have their own agency, as proven by multiple episodes of disagreements inside the alliance, such as the refusal of Germany, France and other countries to let it take part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 against US wishes or, more recently, Hungary and Turkey’s obstruction for Sweden and Finland to join the block.Countries apply, according to their own democratic procedures, for becoming NATO-members, the Organisation does not "expand" or "swallow" countries. See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that NATO became US armed wing ensuring the control of energy resources, that­ Europe has become a US military and political colony, that Russia should negotiation only with Washington because 90 percent of NATO is the US, or that Europe is happy with being cannon fodder for the US.

European Union, US presence in Europe, NATO, Sovereignty

17.01.2023

Kyiv persecutes Ukrainian Orthodox Church

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-persecutes-ukrainian-orthodox-church

lantidiplomatico.it

Ukraine

Italian

Since last autumn, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been under pressure from the authorities in Kyiv, with searches of its temples and monasteries across the country looking for evidence of alleged anti-Ukrainian activities, amid church seizures and accusations of treason against many of its leaders for an alleged pro-Russian stance.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Ukraine as an enemy of the Orthodox Church.There is no “persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”. In late 2022, the Ukrainian government announced a law banning churches affiliated with Russia, following a series of investigations related to parishes that Kyiv says could be taking orders from Moscow. This mostly affected the activities of the so-called Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate [UOC-MP] in Ukraine, which is affiliated with Russia and considered a key influence tool for Moscow in the country, and whose leadership has voiced its full support for the Russian war on Ukraine including siding closely with Putin, blessing soldiers and Russian guns and offering the church's support.Spravdi, the Centre for Strategic Communications under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, has explained why the government decided to ban the activities of UOC-MP. Spravdi found that in the churches of the UOC-MP, Russian propaganda is being spread; activities of enemy secret services are being covered and that Russian agents are being recruited.The Ukrainian government does not plan to ban Orthodoxy. The parishes of the UOC-MP are free to switch to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which far from being a “pseudo-religious institution”, as this disinformation story claims, received the tomos of autocephaly in January 2019. It is also the most popular Orthodox church in Ukraine: 78% of orthodox believers claim their allegiance to the church.Read similar cases on claiming that Kyiv wants to exchange its Satanists for Orthodox priests, that Borrell's remarks on Russian patriarch give Kyiv 'sanction' to persecute canonical church that the West wants to destroy Eastern Christianity through the war in Ukraine, that Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church aims to open way for neopaganism in Ukraine and that The Kyiv regime is destroying the canonical Orthodox church.

Orthodox Church, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Religion

17.01.2023

Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church aims to open way for neopaganism in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/persecution-of-the-ukrainian-orthodox-church-aims-to-open-way-for-neopaganism-in-ukraine

t.me

Ukraine

Russian

The persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the hands of the Kyiv regime has the goal of opening the way for neopaganism in Ukraine. At first sight it could seem that it is about to replace the old Church, which has historical ties to Moscow’s Patriarchate, by a pseudo-religious institution called the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”. However, the aim of this action disguised as an ecclesiastic dispute is not to create an alternative to the canonic Church but to destroy the Orthodox religion. There are reasons to believe that the goal is to replace canonic orthodoxy with neopaganism which is deeply rooted not only among neo-Nazis but also among members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as shown by the amulets and other elements they use.

This is a mix of several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Ukraine as an enemy of the Orthodox Church and a cradle for paganism, Satanism and neo-Nazism.The claims are baseless. There is no “persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church”. In late 2022, the Ukrainian government announced a law banning churches affiliated with Russia, following a series of raids on parishes that Kyiv says could be taking orders from Moscow. This mostly affected the activities of the so-called Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate [UOC-MP] in Ukraine, which is affiliated with Russia and considered a key influence tool for Moscow in the country, and whose leadership has voiced its full support for the Russian war on Ukraine including siding closely with Putin, blessing soldiers and Russian guns and offering the church's support.Spravdi, the Centre for Strategic Communications under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, has explained why the government decided to ban the activities of UOC-MP. Spravdi found that in the churches of the UOC-MP, Russian propaganda is being spread; activities of enemy secret services are being covered and that Russian agents are being recruited.The Ukrainian government does not plan to ban Orthodoxy, much less to promote “neopaganism”. The parishes of the UOC-MP are free to switch to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which far from being a “pseudo-religious institution”, as this disinformation story claims, received tomos of autocephaly in January 2019. It is also the most popular Orthodox church in Ukraine: 78% of orthodox believers claim their allegiance to the church.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Zelenskyy is trying to eradicate the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, that “Kyiv Satanists” are the enemies of Christ and the Orthodox faith, that the US is behind the religious split and persecution of the Orthodox in Ukraine, or that Ukraine is built on a pagan cult.

Religion, Invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Orthodox Church

16.01.2023

The West and Kyiv are responsible for the Ukrainian deaths in Bakhmut

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-and-kyiv-are-responsible-for-the-ukrainian-deaths-in-bakhmut

Ukraina.ru,mobile.twitter.com,fr.sputniknews.africa

Ukraine, Russia, France

Russian, English, French

The Bakhmut slaughter was predictable. The Ukrainians waited for help from the West which never arrived. [It was] a real massacre, with huge losses on the Ukrainian side.Unfortunately, the Kyiv government preferred to let the majority of its soldiers die in a slaughter.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about the large losses of Ukrainian army, allegedly because of lack of European support.The important level of losses in Bakhmut is partially true, but Russia is the only one responsible for those deaths. The argument that Europeans did not provide enough defensive military equipment to sustain massive Russian assaults, and therefore that Russian responsibility for the deaths could be transferred to European is specious. Just like the argument that Kyiv is responsible for the destruction of the country because it resists the Russian invasion as stated Sergey Lavrov in May 2022, this is wrong. Moreover, the Russian losses are one order of magnitude higher than those of the Ukrainians. Particularly among the Wagner PMC, many convicts are considered as a one-time-use soldiers and suffer huge casualties.Read also related stories: France is a puppet state like the Vichy government, Western media are not reporting that Ukrainians are shelling <donbass, French secret services organised the murder of Daria Dugina, The West is responsible for the death of civilians in Donbas and Ukraine.

West, Invasion of Ukraine, Military, Donbas, Eastern Ukraine

16.01.2023

Russia hits only military targets in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-hits-only-military-targets-in-ukraine

russian.rt.com

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

The Russian armed forces do not strike at residential buildings or social infrastructure facilities. Only military targets – whether obvious or camouflaged – are being hit.

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that Russian troops do not hit civilian objects and accusing Ukrainian troops of doing so.In reality, there are numerous cases of Russian troops hitting residential buildings and civilian facilities. Russian forces regularly strike at civilian objects in Ukraine, killing and wounding dozens of people. On 14 January 2023, at least 40 people were killed and 76 were wounded in a Russian missile attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro when an apartment building was hit. According to spokesman of Ukraine's Air Force Yuri Ihnat, a Russian Kh-22 missile hit the building. 72 flats were destroyed and more than 230 flats were damaged in the attack. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) published the names of some Russian servicemen involved in the attack.Three Russian missiles struck several civilian objects in Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022, killing at least 22 people, among them several children. Russian forces hit a hotel, a shopping mall and several other civilian objects in Mykolaiv on 14 July 2022 as well. A residential area was pounded in Kryvyi Rih on 9 July 2022. Russian forces also targeted a shopping mall in Kremenchuk on 28 June 2022.Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, War crimes

16.01.2023

A French witness proved that the crimes in Bucha were organised by Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/a-french-witness-proved-that-the-crimes-in-bucha-were-organised-by-ukraine

Ukraina.ru,mobile.twitter.com,fr.sputniknews.africa

Russia, Ukraine, France

Russian, English, French

In the spring of 2022, Adrien Bocquet arrived in Ukraine on a humanitarian mission as a volunteer. Following his trip, he said he witnessed numerous war crimes committed by the Kyiv armed forces. The Frenchman claims to have witnessed the preparation of a staging of the massacre of civilians in Bucha by the Ukrainian side.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about staged imaginary war crimes fabricated by Ukraine to damage Russia's reputation.Adrien Bocquet, expressed in autumn 2022 his desire to receive Russian citizenship and in the winter of 2022 he applied for political asylum. In France he made strong declarations about so-called "staged war crimes" in Bucha that were proved to be completely fabricated when fact-checked. Journalists also proved that many stories about his trip to Ukraine and his past were also the result of his fruitful imagination, he also photoshopped pictures to support his (mis)representation of events.Accounts of violence against civilians in Bucha have been collected by the Human Rights Watch. See the full debunk here.Read also related stories : France is a puppet state like the Vichy government, Western media are not reporting that Ukrainians are shelling the Donbass, the French secret services organised the murder of Daria Dugina, the West is responsible for the death of civilians in Donbas and Ukraine.

NATO, war crimes, Donbas, War in Ukraine, Ukraine, fake news

16.01.2023

Zelenskyy sends his soldiers to be slaughtered for Western money

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/zelenskyy-sends-his-soldiers-to-be-slaughtered-for-western-money

almatareed.org,nabd.com,rtarabic.com,arabic.rt.com

Ukraine, Russia, France, Germany, UK

Arabic

Russia is winning, but the truth is that Zelenskyy needs a victory. If he does not achieve it, he will not get money from the West. Thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives for this.The "presidential reserve" forces consists of military personnel who were trained in France, Germany and Britain. They number about 15,000 soldiers, and they have been prepared and kept for the spring offensive announced by Zelenskyy. He won't send them all into battle otherwise he will have nobody left. Maybe five thousand will be sent to their slaughter.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative aiming at whipping up resentment against Western support to Ukraine and forcing a capitulation to Russian military aggression and targeting personally the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.The idea that Zelenskyy uses the war for personal embezzlement does not fit with reality. Western support to Ukraine is used for Ukraine to defend itself against the unjustified and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine which started on February 24, 2022, and to support the economy in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion.The European Union, for example, made the decision to provide 18 billion euros to Ukraine in 2023 to help run the country while it defends itself against Russia. The money will support the economy and the general Ukrainian populace, and not for the personal enrichment of any single leader or group.Read also related cases: Volodymyr Zelenskyy will steal money from the EU, Western arms are supplied directly to the black market, not Ukrainian army, Ukraine is the most corrupted country in the world, helping it is suicide; European aid to Ukraine a corruption scheme for Zelensky.

West, Volodymyr Zelensky, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Military

16.01.2023

US and NATO fighting proxy war against Russia in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-and-nato-fighting-proxy-war-against-russia-in-ukraine

lantidiplomatico.it

Russia, Ukraine, US

Italian

The US and NATO are engaged in a proxy war against Russia on the territory of Ukraine, and the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Federation does not contribute in any way to the end of the conflict.

Recurring disinformation about the war in Ukraine and about about Western sanctions on Russia.Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weaponry and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.The EU and other countries around the world adopted several sanction packages against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Not all trades restrictions are yet enforced as the energy sector needs longer transition periods, so it is too early to assess the full effect of the sanctions. However, it is incorrect to state that Russian economy would be barely affected or would even benefit from the sanctions. Otherwise, the Russian leadership would not feel the need to constantly demand the sanctions be removed.A recent study from Yale University takes a detailed look into the effects sanctions are having on the Russian economy, concluding that "business retreats and sanctions are catastrophically crippling the Russian economy."See also the assessment of EU HRVP Josep Borrell demonstrating that sanction policy is working and strongly impacts Russian economy.See similar examples of disinformation accusing NATO of leading humanity to WWIII, arguing that Western weapons supplies to Ukraine are exacerbating the conflict, claiming that military conflict in Ukraine caused by the US and NATO and that sanctions that were supposed to destroy Russia may disintegrate the EU.

NATO, Sanctions, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Puppets

15.01.2023

US behind the religious split and persecution of the Orthodox in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/us-behind-the-religious-split-and-persecution-of-the-orthodox-in-ukraine

asd.news

Ukraine, US

Russian

Washington is behind a religious schism and persecution of the Orthodox in Ukraine. The regime, acting on its orders, takes away churches and deprives the clergy of citizenship.The United States is conducting an experiment in the field of social engineering in Ukraine. It wants to create a nationwide pseudo-religious organisation, which should completely oust Christianity. What is the model for the “church” they are creating? The "religious construction" of the Nazi regime, which is under the control of American governors, almost completely copies Hitler's programme to create an "Imperial Church" in the Third Reich.

This is a pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory, without any evidence aimed at portraying Ukraine as "Satanist", in line with the recurring disinformation narrative that Ukraine is "Nazi". The article also alleges that the Ukrainian government bans the only canonical Orthodox church of Ukraine, and that Ukraine is a US puppet. The claim that the US plans to ban Orthodoxy in Ukraine and to create a separate church is unfounded. It serves as another attempt to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.No purges or prosecutions against Christians in Ukraine were initiated. The Ukrainian authorities are carrying out counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The measures are conducted jointly with the National Police and the National Guard as part of the Security Service of Ukraine's systemic efforts to counter subversive activities of the Russian special services in Ukraine.In early December 2022, the Ukrainian government announced that it will draw up a law banning churches affiliated with Russia, following a series of raids on parishes that Kyiv says could be taking orders from Moscow.The Ukrainian government does not plan to ban Orthodoxy. It plans to limit the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate [UOC-MP] in Ukraine, which is affiliated with Russia.The parishes may switch to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The latter received the tomos of autocephaly in January 2019 and is officially recognised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarchate of Alexandria, Church of Greece, and Church of Cyprus. A number of other churches are leaning towards recognising it. Moreover, it is also the most popular Orthodox church in Ukraine: 78% of orthodox believers claim their allegiance to the church.Read more disinformation cases on the topic: Zelenskyy initiated anti-Orthodox purges in Ukraine; the Kyiv regime is destroying the canonical Orthodox church; Zelenskyy is trying to eradicate the Orthodox church in Ukraine; the West wants to destroy Eastern Christianity through the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine, Orthodox Church, Religion

15.01.2023

The US supplies Ukraine with obsolete combat vehicles

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-supplies-ukraine-with-obsolete-combat-vehicles

u-f.ru,rueconomics.ru,dzen.ru

Ukraine, US, Israel

Russian

The United States is supplying Ukraine with obsolete combat vehicles that are banned from use on the front lines in modern armies.The biggest among the combat vehicles of the NATO countries transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine [...], the American M113 armoured personnel carrier [is] not only obsolete, but also dangerous in modern combat. In Israel, the M113 is banned from use, because they are completely unsuited to the modern line of fire, they cannot withstand the slightest hit by a serious projectile.

A pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western weapons supplies to Ukraine.Contrary to the claim, the M113 armored armored personnel carriers have not been banned from use in NATO countries and Israel. Even though today the production of M113s is stopped, according to various reports, the US Army still uses 5,000 units of the M113 for various purposes. In addition to the US, the M113 is still in service with a number of NATO member countries; for instance, Lithuania, which has already transferred part of its M113s to Ukraine. Ukraine, in addition to NATO member countries, also received the specified equipment from Australia. Read the full debunk at Myth Detector.

NATO, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Military

15.01.2023

Ukrainian militants use chemical weapons in Donbas

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukrainian-militants-use-chemical-weapons-in-donbas

asd.news

Ukraine

Russian

Recently, a new video confirmed the use of banned toxins by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in battles in the Donbas. Footage shows Ukrainian militants assembling kamikaze aircraft designed to drop makeshift munitions loaded with chemical weapons.

The claim that Ukraine uses chemical weapons is unfounded. Claims about nuclear or chemical weapons attacks are a staple of the pro-Kremlin disinformation apparatus. Such claims are a part of a broader pro-Kremlin information manipulation campaign supporting the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and trying to place the blame for the war’s atrocities on Ukraine, as our recent analysis explains. There is no evidence to back the claim that Ukraine is preparing or committing a chemical provocation. Оn the contrary, many Western leaders have real concerns Russia could use chemical weapons.Both sides use drones to drop grenades and small-scale bombs. Ukrainian munitions are not fitted with toxins or other types of chemical weapons. Moscow has a history of falsely accusing its opponents of staging "provocations" which either never happened at all, or were subsequently carried out by themselves or their allies.Read similar disinformation cases on the topic: US contractors help prepare chemical provocations in Ukraine; Ukraine aims to use Turkish Bayraktars for chemical attacks; Ukraine is preparing a false flag chemical attack to damage the image of Russia; Kyiv will detonate a “dirty bomb” to accuse Russia.

Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Donbas, Eastern Ukraine, Chemical weapons/attack

15.01.2023

Dnipro block of flats hit by Ukraine missile

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/dnipro-block-of-flats-hit-by-ukraine-missile

tass.com

Ukraine, Russia

English

The block of flats in Dnipro was hit by an Ukrainian air defence missile. Russian forces do not attack residential buildings.

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of war crimes and claiming that Ukrainian anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence systems cause more damage than Russian weapons.This claim is based on a statement by Oleksiy Arestovych, an aide to the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, who said that a Ukrainian air-defence missile might have hit a block of flats in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on 14 January 2023. In reality, Arestovych said it was one of the possible versions, which later proved to be false. According to spokesman of Ukraine's Air Force Yuri Ihnat, it was a Russian Kh-22 missile which hit the building in Dnipro. As of 16 January 2023, at least 40 people were killed in the attack and 76 were wounded. As many as 29 people were missing. 72 flats were destroyed and more than 230 flats were damaged in the attack. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) published the names of some Russian servicemen involved in the attack.Russian forces regularly hit civilian objects in Ukraine, killing and wounding dozens of people. Three Russian missiles struck several civilian objects in Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022, killing at least 22 people, among them several children. Russian forces hit a hotel, a shopping mall and several other civilian objects in Mykolaiv on 14 July 2022 as well. A residential area was pounded in Kryvyi Rih on 9 July 2022. Russian forces also targeted a shopping mall in Kremenchuk on 28 June 2022.Read more disinformation cases about Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine which broke out on 24 February 2022.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, War crimes

14.01.2023

Ukraine has become a private military company of NATO

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-has-become-a-private-military-company-of-nato

cz.sputniknews.com

Ukraine, Russia

Czech

Ukraine has become a private military company of NATO – the country receives money, weapons, and intelligence data, they are told where to shoot and where to attack. The Ukrainian people suffer because of this forced fight for foreign interests.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Western countries are fighting a proxy-war against Russia in Ukraine. This narrative aims to frame Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a confrontation with a Russophobic and belligerent NATO.Contrary to what this disinformation story claims, the Ukrainian state is under attack by Russia, while the US and Western countries are providing support to Ukraine. The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.”Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In several Western countries instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weapons and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.Moreover, NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. The primary aim of the alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine. NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression and not because of their alleged animosity towards Russia.See similar cases that Russia is at war with NATO and the Pentagon and only the soldiers are Ukrainians; that NATO is at war with Russia with the hands of Ukrainians; that NATO was turning Ukraine into an enemy of Russia; that Ukraine is forced to fight on behalf of NATO; and that the West is using Ukrainians to fight against Russia.

NATO, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Sovereignty

13.01.2023

Kyiv forces are about to launch a chemical attack against Russian soldiers

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-forces-are-about-to-launch-a-chemical-attack-against-russian-soldiers

nabd.com,rtarab.com,alayyam.info,gate.ahram.org.eg,rtarabic.com,arabic.rt.com,ru4arab.ru

Ukraine, Russia

Arabic

Kyiv forces are about to launch a chemical attack against Russian soldiers; this is suggested by a video released by Ukrainian soldiers supplying highly toxic gas canisters to drones. The video released by Ukrainian soldiers shows their preparations to use a chemical weapon. It may be phosgene gas that is banned under the United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention.

The claim that Ukraine uses chemical weapons is unfounded. Claims about nuclear or chemical weapons attacks are a staple of the pro-Kremlin disinformation apparatus. Such claims are a part of a broader pro-Kremlin information manipulation campaign supporting the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and trying to place the blame for the war’s atrocities on Ukraine, as our recent analysis explains. The claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.There is no evidence to back the claim that Ukraine is preparing or committing a chemical provocation. Оn the contrary, many Western leaders have real concerns Russia could use chemical weapons.Both sides use drones to drop grenades and small-scale bombs. Ukrainian munitions are not fitted with toxins or other types of chemical weapons.Moscow has a history of falsely accusing its opponents of staging "provocations" which either never happened at all, or were subsequently carried out by themselves or their allies.Read similar disinformation cases on the topic: US contractors help prepare chemical provocations in Ukraine; Ukraine aims to use Turkish Bayraktars for chemical attacks; Ukraine is preparing a false flag chemical attack to damage the image of Russia; Kyiv will detonate a “dirty bomb” to accuse Russia.

false flag, Chemical weapons/attack, Conspiracy theory, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

13.01.2023

France, and other Western countries will face war crimes charges in Donetsk

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/france-and-other-western-countries-will-face-war-crimes-charges-in-donetsk

Ukraina.ru,mobile.twitter.com,fr.sputniknews.africa

Ukraine, France, Russia

Russian, English, French

There is no military unit in Donetsk. Bombings are crimes committed mainly with French and American weapons. One day or another, France and other countries will have to answer for these crimes. They are indirectly involved.

A pro-Kremlin narrative about civilian casualties in Ukraine trying to deflect blame away from Russia onto France and Western countries.It is incorrect both to say that no Russian military units are defending Donetsk and that Ukrainians target civilians in this city. On the contrary, Donetsk is highly militarised and the Ukrainian army aims exclusively at military targets.This claim that western countries are committing war crimes in Ukraine is a smokescreen to deflect responsibility away from war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian forces. Such claims were also recently formulated by a former high rank Russian official injured in Donetsk. Earlier, bodies of tortured and executed civilians were found in Bucha and Irpin, cities liberated from Russian occupation during spring 2022. Many Russian war crimes in Ukraine have been investigated and are documented, others are under investigation.On 19 January 2023, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to establish a special international tribunal that will prosecute Russia’s political and military leadership and its allies for “the crime of aggression against Ukraine.” The European Parliament stated that "the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Irpin and many other Ukrainian towns reveal the brutality of the war and underscore the importance of coordinated international action to bring those accountable to justice under international law. MEPs urge the EU, in close cooperation with Ukraine and the international community, to push for the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute Russia’s political and military leadership and its allies".Read also related stories: France is a puppet state like the Vichy government, Western media are not reporting that Ukrainians are shelling Donbas, French secret services organised the murder of Daria Dugina, The West is responsible for the death of civilians in Donbas and Ukraine.

NATO, war crimes, Donbas, Eastern Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, fake news

13.01.2023

Prime Minister Fiala is a Russophobe destroying Czech-Russian relations

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/prime-minister-fiala-is-a-russophobe-destroying-czech-russian-relations

cz.sputniknews.com

Russia, Czech Republic

Czech

Czech-Russian relations will remain dead under either of the two Czech presidential candidates. They will remain in that state as long as the current government stays in power because the Prime Minister is an ideological Russophobe with whom is any dialogue impossible. The upcoming election can only show us the level of Russophobia in the Czech society.Russia now sees the Czech Republic as a hostile country, one that is not independent but rather entirely dependent on the US.

There is no evidence which would suggest the Czech Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, is a “Russophobe”. His government has merely stood against the Russian aggression in Ukraine, alongside the EU and NATO. Kremlin routinely accuses everybody not having the same positions as Moscow of 'being russophobe'. The Czech government approved numerous weapon and material deliveries to Ukraine. Petr Fiala repeated during a conference on Ukraine`s resilience that it is crucial to support Ukraine in all areas, from military to humanitarian and economic support. Czechia acted in line with Europe’s response and its contribution to Ukraine’s defence against this unjustified attack.Additionally, other NATO member states also provided Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In several Western countries instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weapons and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts.

Russophobia

13.01.2023

Ukraine is forced to fight on behalf of NATO

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-forced-to-fight-on-behalf-of-nato

nabd.com,rtarab.com,sana.sy,arabic.rt.com,rtarabic.com,ru4arab.ru,tishreen.news.sy,almarsad.co,syriafriends.net

Ukraine

Arabic

Ukraine has become one of the private military companies affiliated with NATO, and they [NATO] pay it money, provide it with weapons and intelligence information, and specify the targets that it must hit. The Ukrainian people suffer as a result of these actions, in which their country is forced to fight on behalf of others.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It also uses the Kremlin claim about lost sovereignty. The claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.Ukraine is not fighting on behalf of any foreign government or organisation. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. Ukraine's sovereignty has been violated only as a result of continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since 2014, culminating with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine starting on 24 February 2022.The West supports Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. The primary aim of the alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine. NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression and not because of their alleged animosity towards Russia.At the Madrid Summit, NATO Leaders stated that the Alliance will continue political and practical support to Ukraine "as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression. In the longer term, we will assist Ukraine, and support efforts on its path of post-war reconstruction and reforms."Since Russia began its aggressive and unprovoked actions against Ukraine, Russian officials have accused NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions. Read here about Russian Myths on NATO.See similar cases that Russia is at war with NATO and the Pentagon and only the soldiers are Ukrainians; that NATO is at war with Russia with the hands of Ukrainians; that NATO was turning Ukraine into an enemy of Russia; that NATO has no interest in peace in Ukraine; and that the West is using Ukrainians to fight Russia in Ukraine.

NATO, Sovereignty, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

13.01.2023

Wagner PMC fighters are courageous selfless volunteers

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/wagner-pmc-fighters-are-courageous-selfless-volunteers

RT English

Russia, Ukraine

English

The assault on the urban quarters of Soledar, occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was fulfilled through the courageous and selfless actions of the volunteers from the Wagner Group strike teams.

The claim advances a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly the involvement of the Wagner group in the conflict.The Wagner private military company (PMC) is a quasi-legal mercenary group which, at least formally, runs its combat operations independently of the Russian Armed Forces. However, the Wagner operations are closely integrated with the regular Russian army and its foreign policy. The equipment comes from the Russian state arsenals and the group is fully dependent on supplies via the Russian army logistics. Wagner is as "private" as the Kremlin needs it to be in order to a escape command responsibility for the atrocities committed by the group or its murky engagement in conflicts across the world. The group can be understood as another auxiliary armed formation under the Kremlin umbrella. The group's fighters are not "selfless volunteers" but paid employees reportedly earning between $3,000 and $10,000 monthly, depending on rank and area of deployment - substantially more than a Russian average income. A substantial part of the force is made up of convicts from Russian prisons and camps who is given the choice to fight in Ukraine or perish in prison. The casualty rate among Wagner soldiers is estimated above 70% by independent military observers. Poorly trained units are used as cannon fodder. According to multiple investigative accounts, the company has engaged in countless human rights abuses and outright war crimes since its founding in 2014. See here for comprehensive debunking by POLYGRAPH.info.Previous cases on Wagner in EUvsDisinfo can be seen here.

mercenaries, Foreign mercenaries, Invasion of Ukraine, Donbas, War in Ukraine, Eastern Ukraine

12.01.2023

Ukraine is ready to sacrifice itself for West's geopolitical victory over Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-ready-to-sacrifice-itself-for-wests-geopolitical-victory-over-russia

antimaydan.info,wpristav.su

Ukraine, Russia, US, EU

Russian

Ukraine is ready to lie on the sacrificial altar of the West under the knife of a priest, only for the sake of (the collective West) achieving a geopolitical victory over Russia. This is precisely the role of Kyiv in the current conflict.

Recurring disinformation about the war in Ukraine.Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, independence, and territorial integrity. Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression. Moreover, Russia was not forced to invade Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.NATO, the EU, and their member states are not involved into war with Russia. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It acts in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, which acknowledges self-defence as an exception to the prohibition against the use of force.See similar narratives on the war in Ukraine claiming that since 2014 the US has unleashed a real proxy war against Russia; that the USA wants Ukraine to “fight to the last Ukrainian”; or that the US will push Lithuania for war against Russia after the collapse of Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

12.01.2023

The West is using Ukrainians to fight against Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-is-using-ukrainians-to-fight-against-russia

novorosinform.org

Ukraine, Russia, EU, US, UK

Russian

The money Western countries spent on the military needs of Kyiv speak of a desire to confront Russia, if not to the "last Ukrainian," then to a number of victims comparable to that in Iraq.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Western countries are fighting a proxy-war against Russia in Ukraine. This narrative aims to frame Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a confrontation with a Russophobic and belligerent NATO.Contrary to what this disinformation story claims, the Ukrainian state is under attack by Russia, while the US and Western countries are providing support to Ukraine. Western nations did everything they could to prevent the war and have only been reacting to Russia’s full invasion. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In several Western countries instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weapons and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that the West is lying when it claims that Russia “invaded” and “attacked” Ukraine, that Russia’s special operation prevented Ukraine’s attack, that Russia’s special operation in Ukraine is due to NATO’s persistent expansion, or that the US and the West are fighting a hybrid war against Russia in Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood

12.01.2023

Schismatics seized the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and expelled the canonical church

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/schismatics-seized-the-kyiv-pechersk-lavra-and-expelled-the-canonical-church

asd.news

Ukraine

Russian

[Ukrainian] schismatics seized the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the main shrine of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The “self-consecrated” schismatics held a “service” in the main temples of the Lavra, and this action was carried out by self-proclaimed structures formed exclusively non-canonically. Therefore, this action has no holiness.

This is a part of a pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory aimed at portraying Ukraine as a "Satanist" country that bans the Orthodox Church, in line with the recurring disinformation narrative that Ukraine is "Nazi".The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was not seized by Ukraine or the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. In fact, it is state property. It is managed by the National Kyiv-Pechersk History and Culture Preserve. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church had only been renting it until 31 December, 2022, when its rental contract expired and a part of the premises was returned to the direct management of the state. On 7 January, the government of Ukraine gave permission to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to hold a church service in the Uspensky Cathedral, the main church of the Lavra. The claim that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is non-canonical is false. In January 2019 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine received a Tomos of autocephaly from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which ranks first among the Orthodox Churches. It was also recognised by four Orthodox churches, namely the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Cyprus and Greece.Read more disinformation cases on the topic: Zelenskyy is trying to eradicate the Orthodox church in Ukraine; Kyiv wants to exchange its Satanists for Orthodox priests; Borrell's remarks on Russian patriarch give Kyiv 'sanction' to persecute canonical church; the West wants to destroy Eastern Christianity through the war in Ukraine.

Orthodox Church, Ukraine

11.01.2023

The Nazi Kyiv regime creates “Hitler-Jugend” and conscripts women en masse

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-nazi-kyiv-regime-creates-hitler-jugend-and-conscripts-women-en-masse

uz.sputniknews.ru,sputnik.by

Ukraine, Russia, Poland

Russian

Neo-Nazi organisations are preparing child soldiers for the Ukrainian armed forces. Zelenskyy had to urgently create his own “Hitler-Jugend” from teenagers between 14 and 16 years old. With each new stage of mobilisation the Ukrainian armed forces receive less trained soldiers, increasingly incapable of successfully fighting and dying for US interests and the Nazi Kyiv regime. Ukrainian women are now conscripted en masse into the army. In the Kharkiv area, foreign languages are heard more often in radio interceptions – “volunteers” from Poland dominate. Influential western media now have to recognize Russian successes and acknowledge the imminent loss of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazi Ukraine, often presented as justification for the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022. This is part of a disinformation campaign aiming to deflect attention away from Russian actions and justify Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. The article also uses a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s military successes and inevitable loss of Ukraine in the ongoing war, aiming to prove that its “special military operation” is actually going to plan.The claim about high numbers of Polish fighters in Ukraine aims to obfuscate the reality of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin media has made similar claims in the past, in attempts to substantiate a disinformation narrative that Russia is fighting NATO in Ukraine. They reported, among other things, that over 1,200 Polish mercenaries died in Ukraine.Claims about the en masse conscription of women to the Ukrainian army and training of teenagers as combatants are disinformation. There is no factual evidence that Ukraine has used minors as combatants. The claim about en masse conscription of women is equally false because military service in Ukraine for women is voluntary. Nevertheless, according to a September 2022 Aljazeera report, about 50,000 women were serving in the Ukrainian armed forces in combat and non-combat roles, whereas about 32,000 women were in the army prior to the Russian large-scale invasion.The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has been the cornerstone of Russian disinformation about the country since the very beginning of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, when it was used to discredit the pro-European popular uprising in Kyiv and, subsequently, the broader pro-Western shift in Ukraine's foreign policy. The accusation of Nazism and building a link to Nazi Germany is one of the favourite techniques of pro-Kremlin outlets. Read our past analysis Nazi east, Nazi west, Nazi over the cuckoo's nest.Learn more about the reasons behind the Kremlin's obsession with framing Ukraine as a Nazi state in the EUvsDisinfo analysis titled "Why does Putin portray himself as the tamer of neo-Nazism".See similar cases claiming that Ukrainians are the new Nazis, their actions directed by Europe against Russia, Ukraine is ruled by a Nazi junta, Ukrainian army has been attacking civilian areas in Donetsk with artillery for eight years and a Nazi symbol was found on the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Nazi/Fascist, Adolf Hitler, Volodymyr Zelensky

11.01.2023

The new Polish division on the border is a threat to Belarus and the Union State

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-new-polish-division-on-the-border-is-a-threat-to-belarus-and-the-union-state

Ritm Evrazii

Poland, Belarus

Russian

Polish plans to deploy a new division near the borders of Belarus can only be regarded as aggressive Polish policy and unfriendly disposition towards not only Belarus, but also towards the Union State [with Russia], and towards the CSTO as a whole.Both Poland and the Baltic states aim to militarise, increasing the military component and activity, deploying new formations and military units, and arming with new models of military equipment - not defensive, but offensive. This can only be assessed as preparation for aggression.

Аn unfounded statement intending to divert attention from the role of Belarus in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Conspiracy about the Polish hostile and aggressive plans towards Belarus and the so-called Union State.The claim about neighbouring countries preparing to attack Belarus is ungrounded. Poland and the Baltic states adhere to international law regarding state borders and have no territorial claims upon Belarus or other neighbouring countries. With the ongoing Russian aggressive war against Ukraine, European countries are forced to strengthen their borders, increase the defense capability of their armies, in order to resist any external aggression. The Polish government has approved the formation of a new infantry unit, operating primarily in the northeastern Podlaskie Voivodeship (province) bordering Belarus.The article does not address the fact that Russia has started an unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and its people, and that Belarus is an accomplice in aggression in this war. Belarus has served as a staging post for Russian troops, missiles and aircraft, both before and after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.Although Lukashenko claims Belarusian troops have not joined the escalating conflict, Russian troops in Belarus have been allowed passage into Ukraine by Belarusian border guards and Belarus’s air defense and traffic control systems, along with the country’s fueling stations, have also been made available to Moscow. Furthermore, Lukashenko has said his troops will partake in military action “if it is necessary for Belarus and Russia.” Lukashenka confirms that rockets are fired at Ukraine from the territory of Belarus.On 2 March 2022, the Council of the EU imposed further sanctions on Belarus for its role in the Russian military aggression of Ukraine. The UK and the U.S. Treasury have also imposed similar measures.Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland plans to restore its control over Western Belarus and Western Ukraine, that imperialistic Poland and Lithuania are the springboard for Belarusian Maidan, that Poland training Belarusian opposition for terrorist attacks in Belarus and that that Belarus moves towards complete colonisation by the West.

Warmongering, Union State of Belarus and Russia, War preparation, Baltic states, security threat, Alexander Lukashenko, War in Ukraine

11.01.2023

The madmen of EU and NATO are planning a world war

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-madmen-of-eu-and-nato-are-planning-a-world-war

Sputnik Poland

US, EU, Russia

Polish

The EU and NATO want to start a world war. The declaration of cooperation signed by the EU and NATO definitely places the European Union in the American bosom of NATO. The heads of these organisations want to unleash large-scale warfare. This hyperaggressive deal is aimed against Moscow - these madmen are planning a world war.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and the EU, portraying them as belligerent organisations.On 10 January 2023, the EU and NATO signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation – this Declaration underlined a NATO-EU strategic partnership, condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine and presented NATO as a foundation of the European and American collective defence. The EU-NATO Cooperation Declaration is aimed at strengthening the mechanism of collective defence – this document does not assume any aggressive actions against Russia.Since Russia began its aggressive actions against Ukraine, Russian officials have accused NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions. NATO is a defensive alliance with the primary aims of maintaining peace and safeguarding the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Read five myths concerning NATO debunked here.See similar cases in our database: The role of NATO is to increase the confrontation with Russia; NATO aims to destabilise Europe; Russophobic Baltic NATO States are responsible for turning defensive NATO-alliance into a confrontation with Russia; NATO is leading humanity to WWIII.

NATO, Anti-Russian, World War 2, Encircling Russia, Military, US presence in Europe, Sovereignty

10.01.2023

SBU digs corpses up to stage provocations and accuse Russia of imaginary war crimes

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/sbu-digs-corpses-up-to-stage-provocations-and-accuse-russia-of-imaginary-war-crimes

sputniknews.com,fr.sputniknews.africa

Russia, Ukraine

English, French

Ukrainian special services have prepared a new large-scale anti-Russian provocation aimed at discrediting the Russian armed forces and accusing Russian servicemen of allegedly committing war crimes.Representatives of the State Bureau of Investigation and the SBU arranged for graves to be dug up in the villages of Kazachya Lopan, Veliky Burluk, Shipovatoye and Khatnoye in the Kharkov region, where local residents who died from natural causes were buried while Russian troops were in these areas from February 24 to September 6, 2022.After the exhumation, the bodies of these Ukrainian citizens were mutilated and thrown into pits prepared for this occasion on the outskirts of these villages, in order to create false evidence of "torture" and "executions" of civilians by Russian soldiers. Currently, the Secret Service and police agents are photographing and filming these bodies and 'imitating the work of forensic experts and other experts' in front of fake 'witnesses'.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about false flag operations. This is an attempt of pro-Kremlin outlets to deflect any Russian responsibility for war crimes committed by Russian troops. There is enough well-documented evidence of Russia's direct involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity during its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.The Ukrainian authorities, their international counterparts like France, the UN, International criminal court investigate real crimes and have no need to stage provocations to blame Russia. The EU supports the International Criminal Court investigation with €7.25 million.Establishing justice is one of the priorities of Ukrainian peace plan, at point seven. From February to September 2022 Ukraine had investigated 30,000 potential war crimes according to the country’s prosecutor general Andriy Kostin.Russian atrocities in Bucha and adjacent towns and villages in Kyiv Oblast were documented after these areas were liberated from Russian troops in early April. Dozens of civilians were found in a mass grave there, as well as killings, rape and other crimes against civilians were registered in in those areas.There is also ample evidence of Russian involvement in mass killings and torture of civilians during the Russian occupation of the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum and surrounding places. Local residents told reporters about life under Russian occupation. Hundreds of dead bodies were found in Kharkiv Oblast, some with hands tied, which indicate the killing of prisoners.Bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were found among civilians.Russian troops heavily shell and bomb residential areas, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, orphanages, churches and other civilian objects. Russian missiles struck several civilian objects in Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022, killing and wounding dozens of civilians. Russian forces hit a hotel, a shopping mall and several other civilian objects in Mykolaiv on 14 July 2022 as well. A residential area was pounded in Kryvyi Rih on 9 July 2022. Russian forces also targeted a shopping mall in Kremenchuk on 28 June 2022. They also plant mines in cities and use cluster and vacuum bombs.Russia also regularly shells the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is creating a radioactive threat for Ukraine and the whole of Europe. EU High representative Borrell condemned Russia’s military activities there and labelled them as a serious and irresponsible breach of nuclear safety rules and another example of Russia’s disregard for international norms. IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi said he was "extremely concerned" by reports of shelling at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is Europe's largest. Since early October 2022, Russia has been regularly staging massive missile attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine cities, launching dozens of missiles at a time.

SBU, war crimes, Anti-Russian, War in Ukraine, fake news, Mainstream media

10.01.2023

The West supported neo-Nazis in Ukraine, using them to weaken Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-supported-neo-nazis-in-ukraine-using-them-to-weaken-russia

oroszhirek.hu

Russia, Ukraine, Europe, US

Hungarian

For years the Western elites have assured Russia of peaceful intentions, including in relation to Donbass, but in reality they have been supporting the neo-Nazis and preparing for aggression. Now they are talking about it openly and using the Ukrainian people to divide and weaken our country.

This is a recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazi Ukraine, and an aggressive West presented as justification for the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022.The accusation of Nazism and building a link to Nazi Germany is one of the favourite techniques of pro-Kremlin outlets. Read our past analysis Nazi east, Nazi west, Nazi over the cuckoo's nest.Russia has also been pushing for a long time the narrative that it is fighting not only Ukraine but also NATO and the West as a whole. Western countries are only supporting lethal military aid and financial aid to Ukraine for the country’s efficient self-defence against the unprovoked Russian invasion. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no US/NATO troops fighting on the front.NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's war on Ukraine. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine. In fact, Western actions adopted against Russia, such as sanctions or diplomatic measures, are a reaction to these actions including the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, the long-term destabilisation of Ukraine or the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of this peaceful country.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Russia is under US and NATO attack, that the West wants to weaken and ruin Russia and make everyone a colony, that Russia is fighting NATO in Ukraine, nor the Ukrainian army, or that Ukraine commits acts of terrorism in Crimea to intimidate civilians.Learn more about the reasons behind Kremlin's obsession with framing Ukraine as a Nazi state in the EUvsDisinfo analysis titled "Why does Putin portray himself as the tamer of neo-Nazism".

West, Donbas, Nazi/Fascist, Russophobia

10.01.2023

Russia's superiority over NATO in Ukraine is evident

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russias-superiority-over-nato-in-ukraine-is-evident

bgr.news-front.info

Ukraine, Russia

Bulgarian

The conflict in Ukraine shows Russia's superiority over NATO for several reasons. The economic sanctions against Russia actually have a heavier impact on the West. Russia's combat superiority is also evident given that it far away from using all its military might. If the military confrontation drags on, NATO is in danger of breaking up, especially because European countries cannot find an alternative to Russian energy resources.

Recurring disinformation campaign surrounding the energy sector and sanctions on Russia, aiming to downplay the effects of sanctions and cause distress and panic over energy insecurity. The article also utilizes a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia not exploiting its full military potential yet, aiming to prove that its “special military operation” in Ukraine is actually going according to plan. All the aforementioned narratives fit well into the Kremlin’s claims that the West is collapsing.The EU adopted in December 2022 the ninth package of economic and individual sanctions on Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. Not all trade restrictions are yet enforced as the energy sector needs longer transition periods so it is too early to assess the full effect of the sanctions. Given the damaging consequences of the sanctions on the Russian economy, it is incorrect to claim that Russia is barely affected. Otherwise, the Russian leadership would not feel the need to constantly demand the sanctions be removed. Furthermore, EU countries recently agreed to set a price cap on Russian oil at $60 per barrel. The price cap applies to oils which that originate in or are exported from Russia. The cap comes on top of the EU import ban on Russian seaborne crude oil and petroleum products, and the corresponding bans of other G7 partners. The price cap is a larger problem for Russia, not Europe. It is predicted that Russian oil output is set to fall by 1.4 million barrels per day next year. It is important to note that the sanctions do not target Russian society. Their purpose is to send a strong signal of resolve and unity to the Kremlin and degrade Russia’s ability to wage war. When judged on the basis of these criteria, sanctions are clearly working.Despite Russia's energy blackmail, European members of the Alliance are prepared to face this winter. EU underground gas reserves have been filled by more than 95% of their capacity, much more than the 1 November deadline set to achieve 80% capacity. This means that with the predicted gas consumption reduction and filled gas reserves, Europe won’t be out of gas for the rest of the winter, even without Russian supplies. Despite numerous setbacks in Ukraine for the Russian armed forces, many Russians continue to believe the narrative that Russia has yet to deploy its full military potential. Putin has personally fueled such wishful thinking by declaring that he has not even yet begun to wage a real war in Ukraine. However, this cannot disguise the significantly less imposing reality of a demoralized Russian army increasingly dependent on poorly trained mobilized troops, outdated armor, and Iranian drones.Finally, it must be stressed that there is no basis to the claims that NATO will collapse or that it is involved in combat operations in Ukraine. There are no NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

NATO, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Energy, Sanctions

10.01.2023

The West is using Ukraine as a proxy in the war against Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-is-using-ukraine-as-a-proxy-in-the-war-against-russia

baltnews.com

Russia, Ukraine, US, EU

Russian

The West is prolonging the conflict (between Russia and Ukraine) by supplying Ukraine with weapons. The West wants to wear Russia down. It shows that in reality, the US, the EU and NATO fight against Russia using Ukraine as a proxy.

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about so-called provocative actions by the US in the run-up to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, claiming that the West (EU/NATO) is involved in the war on the Ukrainian side. The war began in 2014 with Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia's military involvement and support of separatists in Donbas. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. Russia’s protracted invasion of Ukraine is unprovoked and unjustified.Neither the US nor European countries have declared war on Russia or want to escalate the war in Ukraine. The US, the EU and NATO condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked. Western weapons being delivered to Ukraine are to allow this country to repel Russia’s brutal aggression. Peace cannot be achieved by letting an unarmed Ukraine facing a highly militarised Russia that denies its sovereignty.Article 51 of the UN Charter states the following: “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.”This article – when applied to the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 – gives Ukraine the right to defend its territory, not to Russia to invade it.See other similar cases accusing the West of providing Ukraine with scrap metal weapons, claiming that the West is using Ukrainians as cannon fodder, or proving that the conflict in Ukraine was provoked by Washington.

NATO, West, Puppets, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

10.01.2023

Ukraine’s defeat is coming and is widely acknowledged in the West and Kyiv alike

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraines-defeat-is-coming-and-is-widely-acknowledged-in-the-west-and-kyiv-alike

sputnik.by,tj.sputniknews.ru

Ukraine

Russian

A few hundred NATO-made vehicles and a dozen tanks will only prolong the agony of the Kyiv regime and the suffering of the Ukrainian people.The “utilisation” of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers does not bother the Kyiv regime. The guaranteed devastating loss of the Ukrainian military forces and the defeat of NATO is an open secret for high-ranking officials in Washington, Brussels, London, and Kyiv. However Washington has spent that much money on Ukraine that the US just cannot stop on the way to the abyss.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative aiming at whipping up resentment against Western support to Ukraine and forcing a capitulation to Russian military aggression. The article also utilises a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s military successes and inevitable loss of Ukraine in the ongoing war, aiming to prove that its “special military operation” in Ukraine is actually going according to plan.Designed to break the fighting spirit of Ukrainians, it exaggerates the military losses inflicted on the Ukrainian military by Russia and promotes the false claim that high-ranking officials in western capitals and Ukraine consider Ukraine’s loss in the ongoing war inevitable. By the end of 2022, Ukrainian forces have liberated about 40% of territory Russian occupied following the February 2022 invasion.There is no basis to the claims about “NATO’s defeat” as it is not involved in combat operations in Ukraine. There are no NATO forces on the frontline. Several NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine in its self defence, as enshrined in the UN Charter Article 51. This is to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.Read also related cases: By supplying weapons, the United States is pushing the Ukrainians to war, Ukraine has no chance of survival if it tries to fight Russia, The crisis in Ukraine is the fault of the deep state in America.

War in Ukraine, NATO

10.01.2023

Events in Ukraine not a military confrontation between Moscow and Kyiv

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/rm-see-events-in-ukraine-not-a-military-confrontation-between-moscow-and-kyiv

lantidiplomatico.it

Russia, Ukraine, UK, US

Italian

The West, in the name of its ambitions, is practically destroying the Ukrainian people. In Ukraine, there is not a clash between Moscow and Kyiv, but a military confrontation between NATO, and especially the US and Britain, and Russia.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the UK, the US, and NATO are involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This disinformation narrative aims to deflect Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked military aggression.It was Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. Neither the US nor European countries have declared war on Russia or want to escalate the war in Ukraine. The US, the EU and NATO condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.There are no US or NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. NATO and EU countries are supporting Ukrainian defence efforts by providing humanitarian, economic, and military aid, and imposing carefully targeted sanctions on Russia.Article 51 of the UN Charter states the following: “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.”This article – when applied to the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 – gives Ukraine the right to defend its territory, not to Russia to invade it.See similar claims of disinformation: The conflict in Ukraine was provoked by Washington; The conflict in Ukraine is a Western proxy war against Russia; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine; Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians are a single nation, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine are three Russian political nations; Ukraine is a Western puppet that creates problems for Russia, Russia is not at war with Ukraine: It's a military confrontation between NATO against Moscow.

NATO, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Nikolay Patrushev, Ukrainian disintegration, Destabilising Russia

10.01.2023

Poland has aggressive military plans against Belarus and the entire CSTO

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poland-has-aggressive-military-plans-against-belarus-and-the-entire-csto

Sputnik Poland

Poland, Belarus, Russia, Baltic states

Polish

The Polish plans to deploy another division [in the Belarusian direction] and the process of replenishing existing troops with new weapons are perceived by Belarus as a preparation to aggression. Poland and the Baltic states are moving towards further militarisation, developing the Army, intensifying military activities, deploying new military units, and arming them with new types of offensive, not defensive, military equipment. A plan to deploy a new Polish division near Belarus shows that Poland has an aggressive policy not only towards Belarus but also towards the Union State [with Russia] and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).

This message is a part of the Kremlin’s widespread disinformation narrative about aggressive and militaristic anti-Russian Poland.The claim that Poland modernises and develops its Army because the Polish authorities want to use the Army for aggressive actions against Russia and Belarus is unfounded.The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchases of advanced military equipment is a Polish response to the current security crisis taking place in Eastern Europe – this situation is a result of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat for this country is the neo-imperial policy of the authorities of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in eastern Ukraine).See other examples of similar messages claiming that constant intimidation with Russia is used to make Poland economically dependent on the USA, the Polish authorities created an insane hysteria of intimidation with Russia, used for the needs of domestic politics and the Polish authorities want to use the Army to fight domestic riots, not Russia.

Encircling Russia, Military, Union State of Belarus and Russia, Baltic states, security threat

10.01.2023

Afghanistan was a prelude to NATO's proxy war against Russia in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/afghanistan-was-a-prelude-to-natos-proxy-war-against-russia-in-ukraine

oroszhirek.hu

Ukraine, Russia, US, Afghanistan

Hungarian

Washington's decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan was a prelude to NATO's proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Events in Ukraine are not a confrontation between Moscow and Kyiv. It is a military confrontation between NATO - primarily the United States and Britain - and Russia. They are afraid of direct confrontation, so NATO trainers are pushing the Ukrainian guys towards certain death.

A new pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, and its involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine trying to shift the blame for the war to the US.The withdrawal from Afghanistan of the US and several other NATO countries and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are two separate issues. These are not connected and there, is not and was not, a Western conspiracy to undermine Russia. The US and western allies started to aid Ukraine after it was attacked by Russia in 2014. Ukraine exercises its right to self-defence as enshrined in the UN Charter Article 51.Russia has also been pushing for a long time the narrative that it is fighting not only Ukraine but also NATO and the West as a whole. Western countries are only supporting lethal military aid and financial aid to Ukraine for the country’s efficient self-defence against the unprovoked Russian invasion. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no US or NATO troops fighting on the front.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Russia is under US and NATO attack, that the West wants to weaken and ruin Russia and make everyone a colony, that Russia is fighting NATO in Ukraine, nor the Ukrainian army, or that Ukraine commits acts of terrorism in Crimea to intimidate civilians.

Terrorism, US presence in Europe, Invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood

10.01.2023

The EU has transformed from an economic and political organisation into the economic arm of NATO

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-has-transformed-from-an-economic-and-political-organisation-into-the-economic-arm-of-nato

oroszhirek.hu

Russia, Ukraine, Europe

Hungarian

In the 1990s, the EU became a political alliance, while NATO began to expand in Eastern Europe, which Moscow saw as an existential threat and a breach of promises made at the end of the Cold War. Following the 2014 coup, NATO's expansion in Ukraine was one of the main reasons for the current military operation. The EU has transformed from an economic and political organisation into the economic arm of NATO.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about an allegedly belligerent NATO and its involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, alongside its puppet the EU.The loss of sovereignty to the US is a common narrative of pro-Kremlin media when writing about the European Union. EU Member States are sovereign countries and make sovereign decisions about their own internal, economic, foreign and security policies. The European Union is explicit on the subject of national sovereignty: “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.”NATO is a defensive alliance with primary aims to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. NATO's official policy is that "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia."NATO did not make any promises not to expand into eastern and central Europe back in 1990, which was confirmed by the former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. Back in 2014, Gorbachev said that “The topic of ‘NATO expansion’ was not discussed at all, and it wasn’t brought up in those years. I say this with full responsibility”.Declassified White House transcripts also reveal that, in 1997, Bill Clinton consistently refused Boris Yeltsin's offer of a 'gentlemen's agreement' that no former Soviet Republics would enter NATO: "I can't make commitments on behalf of NATO, and I'm not going to be in the position myself of vetoing NATO expansion with respect to any country, much less letting you or anyone else do so…NATO operates by consensus."Furthermore, the claim about NATO "expansion" misrepresents the process of NATO enlargement. NATO does not "expand" but considers the applications of candidate countries that want to join. NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states.Russia has also been pushing for a long time the narrative that it is fighting not only Ukraine but also NATO and the West as a whole. Western countries are only supporting lethal military aid and financial aid to Ukraine for the country’s efficient self-defence against the unprovoked Russian invasion. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no US/NATO troops fighting on the front.in the early 2000'ies Russia was at ease with the process of Central and Eastern European states becoming members of the EU - see references here. Additionally, in 2014, there was no coup, nor a western orchestrated protest in Ukraine. This has already been widely addressed on EUvsDisinfo.

Invasion of Ukraine, Coup, NATO, EU/NATO enlargement

09.01.2023

Poland is harbouring dreams of expanding into western Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poland-is-harbouring-dreams-of-expanding-into-western-ukraine

de.news-front.info

Poland, US, Ukraine

German

The Polish government continues to ignore the national interest and the urgent needs of its citizens. In an effort to gain favour with Washington by harbouring morbid dreams of expanding its territory at the expense of the western areas of Ukraine, Warsaw has created a rather dangerous situation for itself by interfering as much as possible in the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. The US continues to pump weapons into Poland, provoking a confrontation with Russia. Ordinary Poles are sensible people who realise that the hegemon is pushing them into the meat grinder of war instead of a weakened Ukraine.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative presenting Poland as having imperial ambitions and claims to Ukrainian territories. This is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative denying the statehood of Ukraine, while also anticipating its imminent disintegration.No evidence is given about Poland's alleged attempts to occupy territories in Western Ukraine or other states to please the US. No factual basis is provided for the claim that the the US is Poland's hegemon. Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it does not have any territorial claims against its neighbours and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.It is Russia that started an unprovoked war in Europe, capturing more and more territories of a neighbouring country and has created a serious danger to European security.Poland was the first country to recognise Ukraine’s independence, in 1991. Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine's territorial integrity.Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover Poland is also actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

Invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian disintegration, War in Ukraine

09.01.2023

Ukraine is setting up to accuse Russia of war crimes

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-setting-uto-accuse-russia-of-war-crimes

sputniknews.lat

Ukraine, Russia

Spanish

Ukraine’s special services have staged a big-scale anti-Russian setup to discredit Russia’s armed forces. During the Orthodox Christmas Eve, they opened graves of local residents who died of natural causes in several cemeteries of the region of Kharkiv. After the exhumation, the corpses of Ukrainian citizens were mutilated and thrown in mass graves to create a false “evidence base” of alleged “tortures” and “shooting” of civilians by Russian troops. Representatives of the Ukrainian security forces took pictures and filmed the corpses and, in the presence of false “witnesses”, they imitated the work of “forensic experts”. The goal is to maintain the attention of the Western public and to convince the foreign partners of the Kyiv regime to continue supporting it.

Conspiracy theory not backed by any evidence, aiming to deny Russia’s well-documented war crimes in Ukraine. Contrary to what this disinformation story alleges, there is massive evidence of Russian atrocities against civilians and other crimes throughout the invasion of Ukraine, including footage, drone and satellite images, incriminatory radio conversations, testimonies of witnesses and survivors, and forensic proof. Further, these atrocities and war crimes follow a similar patter in most territories previously occupied by Russian troops, as in Bucha, Borodyanka, Chernihiv, Hostomel, Lyman, Kherson, Izyum or other areas of the Kharkiv region. This evidence has been documented by personnel of the Ukrainian prosecutor office backed by international advisors, as well as by UN investigators, International Criminal Court experts and reputed human rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch, and international reporters. EU supports the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators - see here. The Ukrainian General Prosecution Office, 13 EU Member States and the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC have opened investigations on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that war crimes accusations are war propaganda against Russia, that ‘Izyum atrocities’ were staged by Ukraine through controlled media, that the West fights Russia through psy-ops like Bucha and the Mariupol maternity hospital, or that Ukraine staged fakes about Bucha, Mariupol and Kramatorsk.

war crimes, false flag, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Ukraine, Intelligence services

09.01.2023

Russia successfully retaliatiated for Ukrainian shelling of Makiivka

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-successfully-retaliatiated-for-ukrainian-shelling-of-makiivka

5-tv.ru,tvzvezda.ru,RIA,md.tsargrad.tv,vz.ru,rg.ru,

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

Russian Armed Forces carried out a retaliation operation in response to Ukrainian shelling of Russian servicemen in Makiivka. More than 600 Ukrainian servicemen were killed as a result of a massive missile attack on the temporary deployment locations of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kramatorsk. Within 24 hours of the Ukrainian strike on Makiivka, Russian intelligence facilities uncovered and reliably confirmed these locations of temporary deployment, enabling a successful Russian retaliatory strike.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim in the context of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk missed its targets and there were no obvious signs of casualties, a Reuters reporter found. A Reuters team visited two college dormitories that Moscow said had been temporarily housing Ukrainian personnel and which it had targeted as revenge for a New Year's attack that killed scores of Russian soldiers.But neither dormitory in the eastern city of Kramatorsk appeared to have been directly hit or seriously damaged. There were no obvious signs that soldiers had been living there and no sign of bodies or traces of blood, Reuters reported.Judging by the photographs, one hit was near the building (the building itself did not suffer too much), and the second - near the garages, the Conflict Intelligence Team commented. Ukrainian officials dismissed Moscow’s claim that a large number of Kyiv’s soldiers were killed in a Russian attack in Kramatorsk. “This is nonsense,” Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesman for Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told CNN, in response to the Russian claim.The disinformation claim about the so-called "Retaliation operation" in Kramatorsk was criticised even by some pro-Kremlin telegram channels affiliated with the Russian ministry of Defence, journalist Michal Nackee observed.

Invasion of Ukraine

09.01.2023

Armenia's PM Nikol Pashinyan came to power with support from Soros

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/armenias-pm-nikol-pashinyan-came-to-power-with-support-from-soros

musavat.com

Armenia

Azerbaijani

Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Armenia with the help of the Soros Foundation. Soros is part of the international elite controlling the world and making the decisions.

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about American philanthropist George Soros, as a person controlling many governments in Eastern Europe as well as being responsible for a whole array of sins around the world. No evidence is provided that George Soros helped Nikol Pashinyan to come to power.In reality, Pashinyan was brought to power as a result of peaceful protests in 2018 in Armenia. He was supported by thousands of Armenians when ex-president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan applied for the Prime Minister role after he had been ruling the country for 10 years. Sargsyan resigned in response to overwhelming opposition pressure, admitting that he was "wrong". "The street movement is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand," his statement said.The Open Society Foundations (Soros Foundation), founded by George Soros, are the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. They provide thousands of grants every year through a network of national and regional foundations and offices. EUvsDisinfo has documented many cases accusing Soros and / or his Open Society Foundations such as Moldova-has-a-government-from-Soros, Disinfo: German media participated in smear Soros-led campaigns against Azerbaijan and the goal of the Soros foundation is to reformat Armenia from pro-Russian to anti-Russian.

George Soros

09.01.2023

Russian troops respect unilateral Orthodox Christmas truce while Kyiv continues bombing

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russian-troops-respect-unilateral-orthodox-christmas-truce-while-kyiv-continues-bombing

sputniknews.lat

Ukraine, Russia

Spanish

Russian troops frustrated several Ukrainian attacks on the 6th of January 2022. Meanwhile, they respect the unilateral 36-hour truce ordered by Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and rejected by Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This allegation is part of a wider pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign on Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, trying to portray Russian troops in a positive, peace-seeking light. A cheap, manipulative PR-stunt to gain sympathy in segments of the global community. Russia's unilaterally declared ceasefire does not change the fact that Russia is illegally occupying parts of Ukraine’s territory. Withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders is the only serious option to restore peace and security. Russia's unilaterally declared ceasefire was widely seen as hypocritical and not credible. In fact, Russian attacks continued throughout Ukraine during the alleged ceasefire period in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson, which resulted in at least 2 dead and 9 injured, while Russian heavy shelling took place in Bakhmut. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry affirmed that Russia had launched nine missiles and three air strikes and fired 40 attacks from multiple rocket launchers. Russia also launched a massive rocket strike against Kramatorsk.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Russian missile strikes are selective and humane in order not to hurt civilians, that Russia is only attacking valid military targets, that Russia strictly observers humanitarian law, or that the war against Ukraine lasts longer than expected because Russia greatly cares about civilians.

Russian superiority, Russia's Ministry of Defence, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky

09.01.2023

Polish authorities are preparing a "liberation march" to take over Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/polish-authorities-are-preparing-a-liberation-march-to-take-over-ukraine

de.news-front.info

Poland, Ukraine

German

Polish authorities are preparing a plan for a "liberation march" through the Western Ukraine. The Polish government plans to take over the Western Ukraine and hold a referendum there in May [2023]. Dictator Kaczynski has long been preparing for the hour of "B", i.e. the moment when the Eastern Kresy (parts of Galicia and Western Ukraine) can be recaptured. The result of the first phase of this plan is that Warsaw already has a full political and financial control over the government in Kyiv. Kaczynski has already set the date for the start of the "liberation march" on Kyiv: 4 May. Due to the high losses of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Ukrainian units will lose their fighting strength already in May. Therefore, they will not be able to fight on two fronts at the same time.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative presenting Poland as having imperial ambitions and claims to Ukrainian territories, This is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative denying the statehood of Ukraine, while also anticipating its imminent disintegration. In addition, the claim also serves to distract attention away from Russia's invasion and war of agression against Ukraine. There is no factual basis for any of the claims.Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it does not have any territorial claims against its neighbours and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.It is Russia that started an unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover Poland is also actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Ukrainian disintegration

09.01.2023

Russia is not at war with Ukraine: It's a military confrontation between NATO against Moscow

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-is-not-at-war-with-ukraine-its-a-military-confrontation-between-nato-against-moscow

news.am,ren.tv,tass.ru,regnum.ru

Russia, Ukraine, US

Armenian, Russian

The events in Ukraine are not a clash between Moscow and Kyiv, this is a military confrontation between NATO, and above all the US and UK with Russia. Russia is not at war with Ukraine.The West uses Ukrainians to fight against Russia. Americans, British and other Europeans often create the illusion that they are protecting civilization from barbarism.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claims to accuse the West of the war in Ukraine, claiming that the West, the US, and NATO are involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This disinformation narrative aims to deflect Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked military aggression. What happened in Ukraine is a full-scale war against a peaceful neighbouring country. Russia has occupied internationally recognized Ukrainian territories, constantly attacking critical infrastructure, and killing civilians.The claim that Ukraine is the West's tool to fight against Russia is unsubstantiated. The West or the US is not at war with Russia or the Russians. Since Russia launched its full-scale, unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been calling for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and a peaceful settlement. The West is not seeking a war in the heart of Europe.There are no US or NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. NATO and EU countries are supporting Ukrainian defence efforts by providing humanitarian, economic, and military aid, and imposing carefully targeted sanctions.See similar claims of disinformation: The conflict in Ukraine was provoked by Washington; The conflict in Ukraine is a Western proxy war against Russia; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine; Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians are a single nation, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine are three Russian political nations; Ukraine is a Western puppet that creates problems for Russia.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Nikolay Patrushev, Ukrainian disintegration, Destabilising Russia, Russian world

09.01.2023

Having NATO in Kosovo is a risk for the population as the West is expert in creating conflict

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/having-nato-in-kosovo-is-a-risk-for-the-population-as-the-west-is-expert-in-creating-conflict

actualidad-rt.com

Kosovo, EU, Serbia, US, Ukraine, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan

Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Kosovo, EU, Serbia, US, Ukraine, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan

Regarding Kosovo, it is surprising the endless capability of the West to create conflict: Ukraine, Serbia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia… What is even worse is that the EU follows Washington’s orders, who decides whether conflicts continue or not. The EU has nothing to do here, although they can say many things but only when they receive the order to do so. It is a constant risk for the population to have the KFOR in the territory in such a tense situation. NATO can argue or invent any pretext to attack Kosovo Serbs, as it has already experimented on how to destroy communities throughout the world.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives against the West, NATO and the EU. NATO forces in Kosovo (KFOR) have repeatedly contributed to defusing tensions among communities, including in August and December 2022, as well as during the deadly incidents of March 2004, when UN and NATO forces tried to contain clashes between Serbs and ethnic Albanians, which resulted in 27 locals dead and 11 peacekeepers injured.This disinformation claim is part of a pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign to blame the West for the escalation of tensions in Kosovo in December 2022. Further, it is also serves to divert attention away from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that the West is an accomplice of the ethnic cleansing of Serbs in Kosovo, that the escalation of tensions in Kosovo is caused by NATO, that the West is using Kosovo to break Serbia’s ties to Russia and China, that the West is organising everything in Kosovo and is unable to force Kosovars to obey existing agreements, or that the US is trying to provoke Serbia into a military operation.

09.01.2023

The Polish authorities, not Sputnik journalists, create a distorted image of Poland

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-polish-authorities-not-sputnik-journalists-create-a-distorted-image-of-poland

Sputnik Poland

Poland, Russia

Polish

Putting Viktor Bezeka, the journalist for Sputnik Poland, on the list of undesirable persons in Poland by the Polish Internal Security Agency is not surprising. Today, many Poles are being harassed and intimidated in their own country just for speaking to the Russian media and expressing opinions different from the position of the Russophobic Polish government. The so-called “democratic” Poland does not tolerate alternative opinions and there is no freedom of speech in this country. Poland does not respect the principles of human rights. A distorted image of Poland is created not by Sputnik journalists but by the Polish authorities, which shut the mouth of anyone who wants to know the truth – for example, by blocking access to Sputnik.

This message is a part of a wider narrative about the lack of democracy in Western countries, in this case, it promotes the idea that “authoritarian” Poland punishes journalists for their opinions and views.The Polish special services put a Russian “journalist” Viktor Bezeka on the list of undesirable persons because of his direct connection to the Russian information warfare carried out against Poland.On 15 March 2021, the Polish authorities decided to prolong the travel ban for Leonid Sviridov (a Russian journalist working in Poland before 2014) as this person continued his anti-Polish disinformation activities after being expelled from Poland. The Polish special services expelled Sviridov to Russia in December 2015 because he was suspected of espionage in favour of the Russian special services (his case was under review since October 2014).The claims that the Polish decision to expel these persons is a violation of the freedom of speech or a “systemic discrimination of Russian citizens in Poland” is not true as these well-identified people posed a security threat to Poland. See other examples of similar messages claiming that Polish media promote the idea that the Russians are not people, but “agents of the Kremlin”, the Polish authorities created an insane hysteria of intimidation with Russia, used for the needs of domestic politics and Poland started another wave of Russophobic political persecution of the Russian journalists.

Freedom of speech, Democracy, Human rights, Sputnik, Russophobia, Repression, Anti-Russian

09.01.2023

Ukraine is helpless before the West

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-helpless-before-the-west

bgr.news-front.info

Ukraine, US, Russia

Bulgarian

Ukrainian authorities are helpless in the face of the immense pressure from the West to continue the war. The West is waging a proxy war against Russia and relishes its role in fueling the conflict. In addition to weapons and military equipment, Western countries are secretly sending soldiers to Ukraine. Furthermore, Zelenskyy does not seem to acknowledge that many countries have refused to support the anti-Russian policies of the US and have taken a neutral stance.

The article uses a combination of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives claiming that Ukraine is a puppet of the West, that the EU and NATO consistently increase the volume of military assistance to Kyiv in order to protract the conflict, and that the US is running an anti-Russian agenda.Some NATO member states support Ukraine with military and financial aid for the country’s efficient self-defence, in accordance with the UN Charter Article 51, to stop Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Western nations did everything they could to prevent the war and have only been reacting to Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine - a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president.The US and Western states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.Only the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fighting Russian invaders in Ukraine. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front or leading Ukrainian units. Ukraine called on experienced foreign nationals to join its foreign legion. However, its members are regular soldiers of the Ukrainian army, not mercenaries. It is not an unusual practice since other countries also offer foreigners the opportunity to join the foreign legion without being mercenaries, as in the case of the French foreign legion.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the main catalyst that shaped the US’ tougher stand on Russia and provoked the country to impose more sanctions on Moscow and certain Russian individuals. EU members are far from neutral - following the EU's decision from December 2022 to provide large new financial aid to Ukraine, Europe has for the first time surpassed the US in the value of total committed aid to Ukraine. Furthermore, in a recent unprecedented action undertaken by the European Parliament, EU lawmakers declared Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine, Anti-Russian, Warmongering

09.01.2023

Kyiv totalitarian regime is waging a cultural war against Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/kyiv-totalitarian-regime-is-waging-a-cultural-war-against-russia

VK.com Resource,fr.news-front.info

Ukraine, Russia, France

Russian, French

Kyiv is waging a "cultural war" against Russia, and the demolition of the Catherine II monument in Odessa, which was a sacred symbol for many citizens, recalls the Taliban's destruction of Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley in 2001. The demolition of monuments in Ukraine can be compared with the actions of the Taliban.

Pro-Kremlin narrative describing the process of deconstruction of monuments dedicated to historical figures linked to Russian colonization of Ukraine in a deceptive way.The article states that the monument to Catherine II has been destroyed in Odesa, illustrating the story with a photo from 2013: a granite monument fallen where hands and heads are broken. In fact, in Odesa in 2022, after a long process civil society discussion, citizen votes and later a city council vote, the statue was carefully removed from the streets where it could be damaged by Russian bombings to a safe storage before being integrated to a museum exhibition.The sculptural composition was moved to the storage of the Odesa National Museum of Art. As Kirill Lipatov, head of the Scientific Exposition Department of the Odesa Museum of Art, said at a press conference, they are in no hurry to install them as museum exhibits, but they will be preserved.The illustration refers to a soviet monument to Vladimir Oulianov aka Lenin in Kyiv jostled by the crowd on 8 December, 2013 after the refusal of the executive power to consider the dissatisfaction of the population. This is a manipulative use of photo material. While the population of Odesa protected the monument from Russian aggression, many anti-Ukrainian acts of the historical figure made it difficult to maintain its political location in the streets of the city: she forbade teaching Ukrainian, printing Ukrainian books, then the destruction of the Sich and deportations. Besides, the foundation of the city of Odesa by Catherine II ignored the fact that the settlement existed before under a different name.Comparing this process that aims to preserve memory and history while freeing society from Russian colonisation to the destruction by the Taliban of Buddha statues in the Bamiyan Valley in 2001 is clearly manipulative. The mayor of Odesa, Guennadi Troukhanov, cannot be called in anyway a Ukrainian partisan wanting to erase Russian culture.Read also related stories: The claim Ukrainians were targeted during the 1932-33 famine is false, Mariupol is an ancient Russian city, Russia invented Ukraine, It was Lenin who created Ukraine, There has never been a historical Ukraine.

Invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine, Dictatorship, Historical revisionism, Odessa

09.01.2023

France is a puppet state like the Vichy government

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/france-is-a-puppet-state-like-the-vichy-government

fr.sputniknews.africa,Sputnik on Twitter,reseauinternational.net

Ukraine, France, Russia, US

French

No one will escape responsibility for the war crimes of France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and other NATO countries in the Donbass.France submitted to Washington's dictate and became a puppet state on the model of the [WWII] Vichy government, which served the lowest instincts of the Nazis.

Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray European states as alleged vassals, puppet-states or colonies of the US and NATO. The claim is baseless. A classic Kremlin trope claiming lost sovereignty, this Anti-American and anti-elite speech turns NATO and EU into instruments of US domination, depicting Russia as struggling against Nazism. The claim also seeks to deflect responsibility away form war crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian forces. Earlier, bodies of tortured and executed civilians were found in Bucha and Irpin, cities liberated from Russian occupation during spring 2022.Read also related stories on the alleged "puppet Europeans" in the hands of Americans: The European carbon market agreement serves American interests , The US is pushing Europe into conflict with Russia , The European Commission always worked under Washington's direction , The EU turning into an economic appendage of NATO

war crimes, Nazi/Fascist, WWII, Puppets

08.01.2023

Russia kills over 600 Ukrainian troops in retaliation strike

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-kills-over-600-ukrainian-troops-in-retaliation-strike

RT English

Russia, Ukraine

English

More than 600 of Kiev’s troops have been eliminated in a Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian-held city of Kramatorsk in the Donbas.Russian military managed to uncover and confirm the location of Ukrainian troops in Kramatorsk in the Donetsk People's Republic. This data revealed that dormitory No.28 in the city was hosting more than 700 Kiev soldiers, with 600 more staying in dormitory No.47.

The claim advances a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.The Russian Defence Ministry, has provided no concrete proof in support of its claim. On the contrary, available evidence suggests that the attack either never took place or missed its mark completely. Reports from the scene by Reuters, CNN, La Reppublica, and Yle (in Finnish) with accompanying photo evidence proves no casualties were observable at the site in the immediate aftermath of the purported strike.See here for further debunking by The Insider (in Russian).

Russian superiority, War in Ukraine, Donbas, Eastern Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

08.01.2023

The 2022 referendums to join Russia confirmed the wish of the population to live in peace

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-2022-referendums-to-join-russia-confirmed-the-wish-of-the-population-to-live-in-peace

sputniknews.lat

Ukraine, Russia, US

Spanish

One of the most relevant events of 2022 were the referendums in the Popular Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and the regions of Zaporizhzia and Kherson to join Russia. The popular consultations confirmed to the international community the wish of the population to live in peace, while the US tried to delegitimize the results. But as the population already decided, the opinion of the US is meaningless, it doesn’t have any moral authority, nor does NATO.

This disinformation story aims to portray the illegal annexation of Ukrainian regions by the Russian Federation as legitimate and the expression of the free will of the population. However, the forced annexation of these regions took place amid a full invasion and under military occupation, and after sham referenda that didn’t meet any international standard to be considered legitimate. The right to decide on Ukrainian matters belongs to the Ukrainian parliament and government in Kyiv. Therefore, the four mentioned regions - Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson- remain legally part of Ukraine, no change to that, in the same way as no change to the status of Crimea as part of Ukrainian territory.The "referenda" were held illegally, under duress, and on territories which Russia does not even fully control. Multiple testimonies showed that many voters were coerced to take part in the false consultation, and eyewitnesses and footage in places like Enerhodar and Kherson proved that officials escorted by soldiers went door to door picking up votes.The results of these sham polls were universally rejected by leading international and human rights organisations, including the United Nations, the OSCE, NATO, as well as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. No other states -with the single exception of North Korea- recognised the result of the referenda, despite Russia’s claims at the UN that the presence of over 100 observers from multiple countries recognised the outcomes as legitimate.On the EU's behalf, High Representative Josep Borrell said the following:“The European Union strongly condemns these planned illegal “referenda” which go against the legal and democratically elected Ukrainian authorities, are in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in blatant breach of international law. The results of such actions will be null and void and would not be recognised by the EU and its Member States. […] Therefore, these illegal “votes” cannot be considered under any circumstance as the free expression of the will of the people living in these regions under constant Russian military threat and intimidation."See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Donbas regions overwhelmingly voted to join Russia, that international observers certified that people voted freely in the Ukraine referenda, that referendums in Eastern Ukraine were completely transparent and legitimate, or that the referendum in Donbas corrected a historical injustice.This disinformation story appeared in the same article as the claim that “Europe doesn’t have the guts to restrain the US and support peace negotiations in Ukraine”.

Referendum, Manipulated elections/referendum, Invasion of Ukraine, illegal annexation, War in Ukraine, Ukraine

08.01.2023

Europe doesn’t support peace negotiations in Ukraine because of US pressure

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/europe-doesnt-support-peace-negotiations-in-ukraine-because-of-us-pressure

sputniknews.lat

Europe, EU, US, Russia, Ukraine

Spanish

Europe doesn’t have the guts to put a restraint on the US and support peace negotiations in Ukraine. The US is interested in breaking the links between the Russian Federation and Western Europe. Washington sees Moscow as a competitor and wants to weaken it on the international stage.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Europe’s lack of sovereignty, in this case by promoting the idea that it is only in the interest of Washington to confront Russia, and therefore Europe is willingly being played by the US because doesn’t dare to act otherwise. In fact, Europe’s response and its contribution to Ukraine’s defence against this unjustified attack was a voluntary and sovereign decision to counter the aggressive Russia, not the result of any US pressure.This message not only aims to divert attention away from Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked attack against Ukraine, but also to create breaches in the US-Europe cooperation in containing this aggression and to drag European citizens to back “peace negotiations” in Moscow’s terms. The Russian so-called peace proposals are PR-stunts: they have as precondition before even starting talks that Kyiv accepts the illegal Russian annexation of the regions: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson. See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Europe is happy with being cannon fodder for the US, that Europe has become a US military and political colony, that the European Union has finally lost its political sovereignty, that the EU is a cover-up for the anti-Russian game of Anglo-Saxons or that the US is prolonging war in Ukraine to benefit from weapons sales.This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claim that “The 2022 referenda to join Russia confirmed the wish of the population to live in peace”.

Sovereignty, US presence in Europe, Invasion of Ukraine, Diplomacy with Russia, Ukraine, War in Ukraine

06.01.2023

Since 2014 the US has unleashed a real proxy war against Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/since-2014-the-us-has-unleashed-a-real-proxy-war-against-russia

ru.armeniasputnik.am,ru.armeniasputnik.am,rg.ru,tass.ru,rossaprimavera.ru,russian.rt.com

Ukraine, US, Russia

Russian

Washington is determined to fight Russia "to the last Ukrainian," and the fate of the people of Ukraine does not concern the Americans. The US does not want a political settlement, supplying Kyiv with weapons. With their actions, US incite the radicals "to new terrible deeds" and impunity.US is responsible for prolonging the conflict. The West, led by the US, began targeted work to weaken Russia long before the special operation in Ukraine. It should finally become obvious to the world that since 2014 the US has unleashed a real proxy war against Russia, supporting the Nazi criminals in Kyiv.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the US, war in Ukraine, and Nazi Ukraine.The West did not unleash war on Russia and is not at war with Russia or the Russians. Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine is a war of choice by Russia and a clear violation of international law. The Ukrainian state is under attack by Russia, while the US, the EU and others are providing support to Ukraine in its rightful self-defence. There are no US or NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance helping Ukraine to uphold its right of self-defence, which is enshrined in the United Nations CharterThe myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has long been a cornerstone of pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts. This has already been widely debunked and addressed on EUvsDisinfo.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, US presence in Europe, Destabilising Russia, Anti-Russian, Encircling Russia, Nazi/Fascist

06.01.2023

Poland wants to annex Western Ukraine and Minsk

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/poland-wants-to-annex-western-ukraine-and-minsk

Sputnik Poland

Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, US

Polish

The statements of Polish politicians indicate intention to occupy the western territories of Ukraine. Polish rhetoric shows that they talk about expanding their territory - they want to regain control over lost territories. These plans contradict NATO’s goals, so most NATO countries will not support Poland. Poland wants to restore its great power status by regaining Western Ukraine and Minsk. The actions of Warsaw are not reasonable, yet the US and NATO are doing nothing to stop the likely entry of Polish troops into Ukraine.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative challenging Ukraine’s statehood and presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions. Apart from smearing Poland, the aim is also to deflect attention away from Russia's invation of Ukraine. This disinformation message has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland wants either to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or annex these territories or that it is President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land due to his “Polish origin”.Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland thinks that Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and South-Western Lithuania belong to them, that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire, that Ukraine is a Western colony belonging to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Russia, that Poland will try to gain full military control in Ukrainian territories under the guise of protecting the Polish population from Russia, that Poland plans to establish control over its historical lands in Ukraine.

Imperialism/colonialism, Ukrainian statehood, Ukrainian disintegration, NATO, Anti-Russian, illegal annexation

04.01.2023

Washington started the conflict in Ukraine to spoil Russia and Germany relations

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/washington-started-the-conflict-in-ukraine-to-spoil-russia-and-germany-relations

Sputnik Poland

US, Russia, Germany

Polish

One of the reasons for the conflict in Ukraine was Washington’s fear of a rapprochement between Russia and Germany, which would have caused a significant increase in the role of these countries. According to this idea, Germany would have been strengthened by cheap Russian energy and Russia - by advanced German technology. The White House perceived this alliance as a serious threat to American interests both in Europe and worldwide.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim about the war in Ukraine and the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine unleashed on 24 February, 2022. This disinformation narrative aims to deflect Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked military aggression against a peaceful neighbouring country.In 2021, Russia started a large-scale military build-up near the border with eastern Ukraine, generating great concern in Ukraine, Europe and across the world.On 21 February 2022, after weeks of extreme tensions, Vladimir Putin decided to recognise the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (administrative regions) in Ukraine as independent entities and to send Russian troops into these areas. This followed a positive vote by the Russian State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) on 15 February 2022.On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The claim that the West allegedly provoked the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the key messages of Putin’s disinformation. See the Seven Russian Myths about the conflict. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. The US and EU did not aim to escalate relations with Russia and were not preparing for military conflict. Western nations have always called to solve problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.The EU condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and imposed the toughest restrictive measures on Russia. Read more about the EU response and support for Ukraine.For further information, see also the Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin’s War and The Chilling Background to the Kremlin’s "No War" trope.

War in Ukraine, US presence in Europe, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory

03.01.2023

Russia’s special military operation builds a more harmonised multipolar World

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russias-special-military-operation-builds-a-more-harmonised-multipolar-world

baltnews.com

Russia, Ukraine

Russian

The special military operation opened the way to a multi-polar World. Russia offered an alternative to the existing World-order. The special military operation is for justice, for truth. It builds a more harmonized World.

This is a disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media trying to justify Russia’s operation against Ukraine since 24 February 2022.In reality, it is not a "special military operation" but an all-out Russian war against a sovereign state. The claim that the West allegedly provoked the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the key messages of Putin’s propaganda. See the Seven Russian Myths about the conflict. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.Regd. a "harmonised multipolar world": So far, the war and Russia significantly obstructing Ukraine's global food export as well as Russia's decision to limit energy export have fuelled global economic inflation, created food insecurity in many poor countries and rocked security stability. The US and EU did not aim to escalate relations with Russia and were not preparing for military conflict. Western nations have always been calling for solving all problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.See also the Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War and The Chilling Background to the Kremlin's "No War" trope.See other examples of manipulation by Kremlin-backed propaganda grounded on the idea of a "multipolar World": Globalists aim to destroy Russia because Russia supports transition to a multipolar World order; Russia’s operation in Ukraine stems from West’s desire to dominate World.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, West, New World Order

03.01.2023

Brussels’ policies only harm EU citizens

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/brussels-policies-only-harm-eu-citizens

oroszhirek.hu

EU, Ukraine, Russia

Hungarian

The EU is waging a hybrid war against Moscow, and Brussels' policies are only harming the interests of EU citizens, while relations with Russia have reached rock bottom.

Pro-Kremlin narrative on the energy crisis in Europe amid the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, subsequent Western sanctions on Russia and Russian retaliatory measures reducing gas supplies. This narrative plays to the Kremlin's claims that the West is collapsing.The European Union adopted in December 2022 the ninth package of economic and individual sanctions on Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.Europe is facing an energy crisis which is directly linked to Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine and its use of gas supplies as a weapon of war. The EU made steps “to secure the EU’s energy supplies, such as a gas storage regulation, a gas demand reduction regulation, the creation of an EU energy platform and outreach initiatives for the diversification of supply sources.” Russia is no longer a stable and reliable supplier and while Europe is indeed facing an energy crisis with diversification to other sources, it is still set to grow this year according to the European Commission's summer 2022 forecast, while Russia's economy is set to contract by 6% in 2022.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.See other similar examples of disinformation: US is destroying industry in Europe by forcing Brussels to sanction Russia; Western sanctions on Russian energy jeopardize the global economy; Sanctions that were supposed to destroy Russia may disintegrate the EU.

03.01.2023

NATO’s proxy war against Russia is destroying Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/natos-proxy-war-against-russia-is-destroying-ukraine

baltnews.com

US, Ukraine, Russia

Russian

The US and other NATO countries are implementing a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Through this war, the US is destroying Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities also are destroying their own country due to their collaboration with NATO.

Recurring disinformation about the war in Ukraine.Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression. Moreover, Russia was not forced to invade Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.As for the neutral status of Ukraine, Ukraine-NATO cooperation before Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was aimed at enhancing Kyiv’s defence capabilities. After Russia illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist revolt in Donbas in 2014, Kyiv intensified co-operation with NATO and enshrined its Euro-Atlantic drive in its Constitution.In its official position, NATO stressed that:"NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine - which is an independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close NATO partner. NATO and Allies continue to provide Ukraine with unprecedented levels of support, helping to uphold its fundamental right to self-defence."Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weaponry and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.See similar examples of disinformation accusing NATO of leading humanity to WWIII, or arguing that Western weapons supplies to Ukraine are exacerbating the conflict, or claiming that military conflict in Ukraine caused by the US and NATO.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, NATO, Puppets

03.01.2023

Germany exaggerated a supposed “coup” but accepted the bloody revolt in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/germany-exaggerated-a-supposed-coup-but-accepted-the-bloody-revolt-in-ukraine

actualidad-rt.com

Germany, Ukraine

Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Germany, Ukraine

The recent scandal for an alleged “coup” attempt in Germany puts again in the spotlight the inconsistencies of the changing discourse of its government.The prosecutor's office pointed to an operation to prevent a coup attempt against the German constitutional order, with 52 suspects and 25 arrested who were planning the use of military means and violence. But it is hard to believe that 52 suspects can overthrow the government of a European power. Moscow pointed out the double standards of inflating the danger supposedly posed by this small group of arrested people while at the same time closing their eyes to the flagrant violation of the constitutional order in Ukraine’s Maidan.

This is one of the most prominent pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives alleging that Ukraine’s Maidan protests were a coup d’etat. This claim introduces an element of "whataboutism" by drawing false parallels between an criminal coup attempt in Germany in 2022 and popular protests in Ukraine in 2013 - 2014. However delusional the plan of overthrowing Germany’s government was, there are serious indications that this was indeed the intention of the conspirators. There is some evidence that the group was planning violent actions that could pose a very serious threat, including a plot to attack the Reichstag and to take Germany’s parliament members as hostages. Among the conspirators were several highly-trained soldiers with experience in the use of weapons, and the group had approached other members of the security forces. Weapons were seized in one third of the places raided by the German police on 07 December 2022. The interrogation of the arrested plotters also led to an expansion of the investigation and an increase in the number of suspects. In December 2021, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Interior pointed out that 23,000 people were suspected members of the so-called Reichsbürger movement to which the conspirators belonged, with 2,100 ready to use violence.In contrast, Ukraine’s Maidan was not a coup, but the result of a months-long complex crisis that culminated in popular demonstrations in Kyiv in November 2013. The protests brought hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to the streets, who protested against a political decision of Viktor Yanukovych’s government which at the last minute withdrew from a long-negotiated political association and free trade agreement with the EU, choosing instead to accept a $15 billion economic bailout from Russia. After police forcefully dispersed those early demonstrations using violence, including the beating of many young protesters, mobilisations became massive and led to the creation of a protest camp at Kyiv’s Maidan square. The situation escalated when those protests were repeatedly met with excessive police force and demonstrators clashed with security forces. After police snipers shot dozens of protesters in late February 2014, president Yanukovych fled the country and was stripped off his position by the Ukrainian parliament.

03.01.2023

An upcoming EU collapse will make Ukrainians realise their mistakes

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/an-upcoming-eu-collapse-will-make-ukrainians-realise-their-mistakes

sputnik.by

Ukraine, Russia, EU

Russian

Ukrainian and Western propagandists have made Russophobes out of Ukrainians. They went into believing that Ukrainians will be appointed as ‘gauleiters’ over Russia. The present-day generation of Ukrainians have a wrong understanding of life and history. It will take a very long time for Russia to come to terms with them. However, the most important thing is that Ukraine will not be Nato’s polygon. The EU will likely collapse in the coming years, and the EU collapse will be the key event for Ukrainians to realise their misconceptions.

This article contains several recurrent pro-Kremlin claims and disinformation about the EU's imminent collapse, of anti-Russian western actions and of Nazi Ukraine. It also promotes the ‘Russophobia’ claim – a regular attempt to delegitimise any criticism of Russia's actions.Pro-Kremlin outlets regularly speak about an upcoming EU collapse. In early 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic spreae in the EU, they claimed that Europe’s political map can change within months and that “many European states will likely cease to exist”. See similar disinformation cases in our database: the EU will split in half within five years; the EU to fall apart in 20-30 years, Poland and Hungary are likely to leave the EU, the Western democracy is in crisis.The pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazi Ukraine, manifested by the word ‘gauleiter’ used in the article, has served as one of the pretexts for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continues to be actively used by the pro-Kremlin outlets as one of the favorite tropes to denigrate Ukraine. It has been debunked several times. Speaking about the prevention of making Ukraine a ‘Nato polygon’, the article justifies the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. Putin had offered several false claims for launching aggression, including the necessity to save territories in Eastern Ukraine from a genocide, Ukraine’s alleged desire to obtain nuclear weapons and Kyiv’s possible membership of NATO.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

EU disintegration, Nazi/Fascist, Russophobia, War in Ukraine, NATO, EU/NATO enlargement

03.01.2023

The World Bank and the IMF spread biased economic data about Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-world-bank-and-the-imf-spread-biased-economic-data-about-russia

Sputnik Poland

US, Russia

Polish

The statements of the World Bank and the IMF regarding Russia have always been and will be biased - it is not surprising that they predicted a sharp decline in Russia’s GDP by the end of 2022. We should not forget that the main offices of these organisations are located in the United States, which is said to be the main adversary of Russia.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative promoting the idea that international organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF are the Western puppets used to implement anti-Russian policies. The claim is made in the context of claims that Western sanctions would barely hurt or even benefit Russia. The claim that the World Bank and the IMF spread biased economic data on Russia because these organisations are “based in the USA” is ungrounded. The World Bank and the IMF are reputable international organisations whose work is not driven by any anti-Russian bias. The research and analyses enjoy global resespt and recognition. The WB is part of the United Nations system but is owned by its member states. It is estimated that in 2022, the Russian GPD reduced by 3.4% to 4.5%.In addition, a recent study from Yale University takes a detailed look into the effects sanctions are having on the Russian economy, concluding that “business retreats and sanctions are catastrophically crippling the Russian economy.”The claim is made during a period of time where the Russian Federation have either stopped publicising key macro economic data or changed the composition of data to obscure insight into the Russian national economy. For instance, consumer statistics and basic economic indicators are not published the same way as before 24 February 2022. See also the assessment of EU HRVP Josep Borrell: sanction policy is working and strongly impacts the Russian economy.Read also related cases : The New York Times reports that Russia is barely affected by sanctions, sanctions against Russia worsen the economic crisis in the West , Sanctions are beneficial to Russia so the West should recognise Crimea as Russian, FT: Thanks to sanctions Russian agriculture strengthens its position in the world, The EU lost more from sanctions than Russia, European sanctions against Russia do not work.

Anti-Russian, Economic difficulties, Sanctions, IMF, World Bank

03.01.2023

The West provides Ukraine with scrap metal weapons

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-provides-ukraine-with-scrap-metal-weapons

RIA

Ukraine, US, EU

Russian

Western countries are supplying Ukraine with outdated weapons in order to upgrade their own arsenals. The Western military aid flows to Ukraine in a continuous stream, but most is in poor technical condition, just scrap metal and junk from old military warehouses, which is confirmed by Ukrainian military personnel.Under the pretext of military assistance [to Ukraine], Washington pursues its own goals and lobbies the sale of weapons in the interests of its own military-industrial complex. [The Western military aid to Ukraine] is just sabotage from the West, which wants to use the allocated funds to modernise its own weapons.

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the American military-industrial complex and allegedly aggressive American military plans.The claim that Western military aid delivered to Ukraine is made of “scrap metal, junk and outdated weapons” is ungrounded. In recent months, Ukraine has received the most advanced and hi-tech weapons from Western countries such as the Javelin and Stinger complexes, HIMARS missile complexes and dozens of other types of advanced military equipment. Moreover, as a response to barbaric Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, the US announced the delivery of the Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine.Together with these modern and hi-tech weapons, Western countries also deliver large volumes of Soviet-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine because they are the primary weapons used by the Ukrainian Army.Western countries provide military aid to Ukraine in order to enable the country to defend itself from large-scale Russian aggression. The claim that the West provides this aid in order to “clean up its army warehouses in order to upgrade its own arsenals" seeks to deflect attention away from the real reason: Ukraine's defence against Russian agression. See similar disinformation cases claiming that the US weapon and military technology providers benefit from prolonging the war in Ukraine; Europe is a colony serving the interests of the American military-industrial complex and US companies promote war in Ukraine to sell weapons.

War in Ukraine, US presence in Europe, West, Military

03.01.2023

Hundreds of US troops are stationed in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/hundreds-of-us-troops-are-stationed-in-ukraine

oroszhirek.hu

Russia, US, Ukraine

Hungarian

Hundreds of US troops are stationed in Ukraine who were there before the coup as well. CIA officers have occupied at least one floor of the Ukrainian security service. US military advisers and intelligence officers have long been direct participants in the conflict. Western countries declared war on Russia nearly a decade ago, shortly after the 2014 Euromaidan revolution, followed shortly afterwards by US and NATO military aid to the post-coup government.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Euromaidan protests in Ukraine in 2013-2014 and the US presence in Europe. There was no coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014; this is a longstanding pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's Euromaidan. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction by numerous segments of the Ukrainian population to former president Viktor Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013.Pro-Kremlin media have repeatedly accused CIA, US officials and others of instigating the protests, without any evidence. This and similar claims are linked to a prominent pro-Kremlin disinformation trope of colour revolutions.The West has never declared or waged a war against Russia. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014.Following Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, individual NATO members have been sending weapons, ammunition and many types of light and heavy military equipment, including anti-tank and air defence systems, howitzers and drones to Ukraine. To date, NATO Allies have provided billions of euros’ worth of military equipment to Ukraine. All of this is helping Ukraine to uphold its right of self-defence, which is enshrined in the United Nations Charter. See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Russia is under US and NATO attack, that the West wants to weaken and ruin Russia and make everyone a colony, that Russia is fighting NATO in Ukraine, nor the Ukrainian army, or that Ukraine commits acts of terrorism in Crimea to intimidate civilians.

Euromaidan, Coup, CIA, US presence in Europe, Secret services, Military

03.01.2023

Germany and Poland made orders for Russian oil despite pledges not to buy it

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/germany-and-poland-made-orders-for-russian-oil-despite-pledges-not-to-buy-it

oroszhirek.hu

Germany, Poland, Russia, EU

Hungarian

The Russian pipeline operator Transnyeft has received orders to buy crude oil from both Germany and Poland, despite the two countries' pledges not to buy Russian oil transported through the Friendship pipeline.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim about energy and the EU’s oil embargo on Russia.This claim is false. Germany rejected a claim that it plans to buy Russian oil saying that it will instead import crude oil from Kazakhstan. “Reports that Germany had ordered Russian crude oil are false,” a spokeswoman for the German Economy Ministry said. “The mineral oil companies at the Leuna and Schwedt refineries will no longer be ordering Russian crude oil in the new year [2023].”Polish refiner PKN Orlen said it will not extend a contract for Russian oil which expires in January 2023, while a second long-term agreement for Russian crude will cease to be implemented once sanctions are in place.See similar narratives about energy issues.

Energy, Sanctions

02.01.2023

International organisations like the UN are servile US tools

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/international-organisations-like-the-un-are-servile-us-tools

sputniknews.lat

US, Russia

Spanish

International bodies, both global and regional, have become mere tools for the US to achieve its goals to defend its unipolar world or attack those countries that don’t follow its rules. Most of them don’t even bother to pretend otherwise: they are bullet-proofed by Western media, also at the service of those ends. It doesn’t matter that the US unipolar world is already a walking corpse on life assistance, because that’s the reason why it uses them more and more. The institutional framework of those big international organisations born in the wake of World War II are now absolutely questioned, and the UN has behaved with absolute partiality in this conflict.

This pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aims to provide a convenient “explanation” to what is a clear rebuke in international bodies to Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. By claiming that “international organisations are US tools”, this disinformation story tries to distract attention from the fact that Russia’s illicit actions have been strongly rejected by the UN and other global institutions, including votes at the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly condemning the invasion of Ukraine on 02 March 2022 and the annexation of four regions of Ukraine on 12 October 2022, or the multiple OHCHR reports denouncing Russian war crimes.Accusing international institutions of having an anti-Russian bias is a frequent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative. See other examples in our database, such as claims that the West employed hybrid warfare against Russia in the UN General Assembly, that any international tribunal should be for Ukrainian Nazis, not for Russia, that OSCE is a criminal organisation that is in favour of war in Donbas, that World Anti-Doping Agency’s accusations are Russophobic provocations, or that OPCW has become a tool in the hands of hostile countries.

United Nations, Anti-Russian, Russophobia, Diplomacy with Russia

02.01.2023

Western media are not reporting that Ukrainians are shelling Donbass

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-media-are-not-reporting-that-ukrainians-are-shelling-donbass

oroszhirek.hu

Ukraine, Russia, Europe, US

Hungarian

The foreign media and human rights organisations are silent on the shelling of civilians in Donetsk, Ukraine. The situation has remained unchanged since 2014. Donbass wanted to resolve the conflict peacefully, and so did Russia, which, as a guarantor country, did its best and more.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the Western media. Unfounded claims that Ukraine was staging or conducting attacks against civilian population in Donbas are prominent examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation paving the way for the full-scale Russian invasion of and war in Ukraine. See in more detail here. When it comes to civilian losses, this claim is a part of a wider narrative trying to downplay the Russian attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. According to the data of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as of December 2022, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there were 9,695 civilian casualties (4,052 killed and 5,643 injured) in Donetsk and Luhansk regions: 7,579 casualties (3,569 killed and 4,010 injured) on territory controlled by the Ukrainian government and 2,116 casualties (483 killed and 1,633 injured) on territory controlled by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups. However, the exact figures are likely to be much higher as ongoing hostilities have hindered the authorities’ ability to verify possible cases in many parts of the country.In March 2022, the OHCHR said that most of the civilian casualties were from airstrikes and explosive weapons used by Russian forces with wide area effects, including heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems. As a result, hundreds of residential buildings in many cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol and Kyiv have been damaged and destroyed.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.Read more disinformation narratives about Ukraine allegedly perpetrating genocide against Russians.

Media, Invasion of Ukraine, Donbas, war crimes, Human rights

02.01.2023

The US tries to regain its influence through the oil price cap

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-tries-to-regain-its-influence-through-the-oil-price-cap

Sputnik Poland

US, Russia

Polish

The American promotion of a price cap on Russian oil is an attempt to regain the former US influence on the global oil market. Due to the problems in the American shale industry, the current potential of shale oil production is close to exhaustion. Having lost this mechanism, the US is now proposing to control Russian oil prices. The USA has far-reaching calculations here – the Western countries are trying to regain control over the market, which they lost in the early 1970s when OPEC operated on a full-scale basis. That is why OPEC+ supports Russia in its decisions on the oil agreement: the price cap mechanism imposed against Russia could turn into a common tool. Often, the consumer dictates prices when supply exceeds demand. The main problem with the price cap mechanism is it is artificial, not economic in character.

This narrative is part of the recurring disinformation campaign around the energy sector and sanctions on Russia. The aim of these narratives is to undermine and denigrate Western sanctions on Russia.The price cap for Russian oil, introduced in late 2022, cannot be seen as a violation of market principles and it was initiated by G7 states and supported by the EU as an additional sanction for Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. Sanctions against individuals or political regimes have always existed alongside market dynamics to control harmful practices like corruption, terrorism, illegal warfare etc.As noted in the Council of the EU's press release: The price cap on Russian oil will limit price surges driven by extraordinary market conditions and drastically reduce the revenues Russia has earned from oil after it unleashed its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. It will also serve to stabilize global energy prices while mitigating adverse consequences on energy supply to third countries.The price cap on Russian oil is a novel tool that the energy market has not seen in recent years and this could give a period of uncertainty. However, the impact is expected not to be so critical. According to the New York Times, the processes around the price cap are "not expected to have a sudden impact on oil supplies for Europe, because the regulation has been in the works for months and so traders and shippers have had time to adjust. In particular, energy companies have already begun buying more oil from the United States, Brazil, Guyana and the Middle East. The EU is also giving exemptions to some countries like Hungary, whose energy needs depend on flows of Russian crude by pipeline, to quell their objections to the sanctions".The claims in the article seek to distract attention away from the fact that the price cap is the biggest problem for Russia, not Europe. It is predicted that Russian oil output is set to fall by 1.4 million barrels per day in 2023. Chatham House provides a prognosis that one particularly important point when it comes to oil, energy, and commodity markets has been how market forces have mitigated Russia’s own efforts to use the energy card against the West, particularly against Europe.See similar cases that Sanctions don't affect the Russian economy; the New York Times reports that Russia is barely affected by sanctions; sanctions against Russia worsen the economic crisis in the West; The EU lost more from sanctions than Russia; European sanctions against Russia do not work.

Energy, Anti-Russian, Sanctions, economy

02.01.2023

Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington shows that Ukraine will be a neo-colony of the US

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/zelenskyys-visit-to-washington-shows-that-ukraine-will-be-a-neo-colony-of-the-us

sputniknews.lat

Ukraine, US

Spanish

The visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington can be interpreted as Ukraine’s first step to becoming a neo-colony of the US. Zelenskyy’s request to obtain more US money has a complex geopolitical background, as it is some sort of bartering: money in exchange for autonomy. None of the money that Biden authorised are for free.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine’s alleged lack of sovereignty, aiming to undermine its statehood. Since 2014 pro-Kremlin media outlets have often claimed that Ukraine either did not exist as an independent state or was going to disintegrate very soon. The unfounded claims that Ukraine is not a real country, or that Russia and Ukraine are "one nation" is one of the oldest and most deeply ingrained myths that has been used by the Kremlin to justify its aggression against Ukraine. Read more here and here. Zelenskyy's visit to the US, the first foreign visit since the full-scale Russian invasion is a a significant sign of transatlantic support for Ukraine. The US and other NATO members are sending weapons to Ukraine, to support its right of self-defense, that is enshrined in the UN Charter. See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Ukraine lost its independence and is under external control, that the West has made Ukraine its colony and is using Ukrainians as cannon fodder, that the West is destroying Ukrainian statehood and its military forces, that Western lobby demanded Zelenskyy to raise the stakes of the crisis, or that dependency on the US has devastated Ukraine.

Ukrainian statehood, Sovereignty, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

31.12.2022

Russia only tries to protect its people in its historical borders

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-only-tries-to-protect-its-people-in-its-historical-borders

Sputnik Czech

Ukraine, Russia

Czech

The truth is on Russia’s side which tries to protect its people in its historical borders. The West uses the Ukrainian people to divide and weaken Russia. The West lied about peace and meanwhile prepared for aggression which it now admits openly.

The allegation is part of a broader disinformation campaign to justify the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia. Russia does not have the right to view its territory in its so-called “historical borders”. To assure its commitment to recognise Ukraine in its post-Soviet borders, the Russian Federation signed a memorandum in 1994. The Budapest Memorandum includes the US, Russia, the UK and aims to “to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine” and “to refrain from the threat or use of force.” The Memorandum was signed after Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal as one form of assurance for Kyiv.Discover also seven popular myths about Russia and the Ukraine conflict here - including more about the claim that Ukraine is artificial and belongs inside a Greater Russia and that the aggressive West and Ukraine are to blame. Further, the claim that the West allegedly provoked the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the key messages of Putin’s disinformation. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. The EUvsDisinfo database contains other examples of this disinformation narrative, for instance, Ukraine was artificially created by the Bolsheviks, or that Ukrainian statehood is an inheritance from Soviet Ukraine, or that Ukraine never had independence before joining the Soviet Union.

West, Historical revisionism, Budapest memorandum, Russian world

31.12.2022

The special military operation aims to end the Nazi regime in Kyiv

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-special-military-operation-aims-to-end-the-nazi-regime-in-kyiv

arabic.rt.com

Russia, Ukraine

Arabic

Russia could not have sat idly by watching the Kyiv regime's persecution of people in Donbas, subjecting them to genocide, bombing and blockades, and nurturing in Ukraine hatred of Russia and everything Russian. The special military operation has helped the population to defend the people's right to their mother tongue, traditions and culture, and also aims to put an end to the criminal Nazi regime in Kyiv.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, actively trying to legitimise Russia’s aggression by claiming that Nazi Ukraine subjected the country's Russian-speaking population to "genocide".This claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article.There is no evidence to support the claims of genocide by Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities did not systematically exterminate or abuse the people living in the conflict zone. It was not an internal civil conflict but a well-documented act of aggression by the Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014.Articles 10 and 11 of the Ukrainian Constitution guarantee the free development of the languages and cultures of Ukraine’s ethnic minorities, including Russian-speakers.No evidence has been provided that ethnic Russians were facing systemic persecution at the hands of the Ukrainian authorities, much less the danger of annihilation on grounds of nationality, ethnicity, or cultural belonging. This has been confirmed by reports issued by the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE. For an overview of the Kremlin's deployment of the "genocide" narrative regarding Ukraine, see further debunking by EUvsDisinfo, Euromaidan Press, and POLYGRAPH.info.This false myth of Nazi Ukraine is a clear propaganda narrative that became a cornerstone in pro-Kremlin disinformation. Learn more about the reasons behind the Kremlin's obsession with framing Ukraine as a Nazi state in the EUvsDisinfo analysis titled "Nazi east, Nazi west, Nazi over the cuckoo's nest" and "Why does Putin portray himself as the tamer of neo-Nazism".Read more disinformation narratives about Ukraine allegedly perpetrating genocide against its Russian-speaking population.See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

Nazi/Fascist, Invasion of Ukraine, War in Ukraine

30.12.2022

Over 1,200 Polish mercenaries died in Ukraine, thousands are wounded

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/over-1-200-polish-mercenaries-died-in-ukraine-thousands-are-wounded

sputnik.by

Ukraine, Poland

Russian

During the Russian special military operation in Ukraine over 1,200 Polish mercenaries have died, thousands were wounded. Warsaw's plans to send peace-keeping forces to Ukraine were not supported by NATO. Warsaw is eyeing the possibility of sending its soldiers to western Ukraine.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, presenting Poland as a state with aggressive anti-Ukrainian plans, aiming to obfuscate reality of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. There is no evidence to substantiate the claim. Pro-Kremlin media has made similar claims in the past, in attempts to substantiate a disinformation narrative that Russia was fighting NATO in Ukraine. The disinformation message about Poland’s aggressive plans towards Ukraine has adopted several different and sometimes contradictory forms, including allegations that Poland wants either to create a puppet proxy-state in Western Ukraine or the annexation of these territories or that it is actually President Zelenskyy who wants to cede this land due to his “Polish origin”.A recurring tactic of pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets is to deflect blame by accusing Western countries, Poland in this case, of the wrongdoings Russia itself commits in Ukraine. The articles about imagined aggressive Polish plans towards western Ukraine can be interpreted as an attempt to sow mistrust between Ukraine and Poland and other Western backers of Kyiv. Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries and rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries, including Ukraine. Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine's territorial integrity. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poland thinks that Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and South-Western Lithuania belong to them, that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire, that Ukraine is a Western colony belonging to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Russia, that Poland will try to gain full military control in Ukrainian territories under the guise of protecting the Polish population from Russia, that Poland plans to establish control over its historical lands in Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, fake statistics

29.12.2022

The USA wants Ukraine to “fight to the last Ukrainian”

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-usa-wants-ukraine-to-fight-to-the-last-ukrainian

Sputnik Poland

Ukraine, US, Russia

Polish

The American policy towards Ukraine is not about doing good nor about helping anyone. It is about letting the whole [Ukrainian] nation die, calling it an American friend.The purpose of the US policy on Ukraine is to destroy Russia, not to support Ukraine. The USA realises a perverse fantasy of Lindsey Graham (US Senator) called to “fight to the last Ukrainian”. The US will not let Ukraine win – it can let this country fight to the last Ukrainian. Washington’s policy on Ukraine is “pure evil”.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Western countries are fighting a proxy-war against Russia in Ukraine. This narrative aims to frame Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as a confrontation with a Russophobic and belligerent NATO.Contrary to what this disinformation story claims, the Ukrainian state is under attack by Russia, while the US and Western countries are providing support to Ukraine. Western nations did everything they could to prevent the war and have only been reacting to Russia’s full invasion. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In several Western countries instructors train Ukrainian soldiers on how to use modern weapons and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that the West is lying when it claims that Russia “invaded” and “attacked” Ukraine, that Russia’s special operation prevented Ukraine’s attack, that Russia’s special operation in Ukraine is due to NATO’s persistent expansion, or that the US and the West are fighting a hybrid war against Russia in Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Anti-Russian, US presence in Europe, Encircling Russia, Destabilising Russia

29.12.2022

Ukraine is a terrorist organisation

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/ukraine-is-a-terrorist-organisation

sputnik.by

Ukraine, Russia

Russian

The removal of monuments to Catherine II and Alexander Suvorov in Odesa is an act of Bandera-like vandalism. The monuments will hopefully be restored when Odesa returns to Russia. The removal of the monuments is part of a campaign to destroy the historical memory of the Russian majority of the Ukrainian population. To prevent ruining historical memory, Ukraine as a terrorist organisation needs to be liquidated.

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets justifying the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. By falsely and absurdly claiming that the majority of the Ukrainian population are Russians, it also promotes the classic disinformation narrative about the Russian world.The article applies a radical form of discrediting Ukrainian statehood – naming Ukraine a “terrorist organisation”. It calls for its ‘liquidation’ in order to ‘prevent historical memory being ruined’ referring specifically to the removal of monuments to Katherine the Great and Alexander Suvorov in Odesa.In November 2022, lawmakers in Ukraine's city of Odesa decided to remove the monuments of 18th-century Russian Empress Catherine II and of 18th-century Russian military commander Aleksandr Suvorov, from the city centre. The attitude of Ukrainian society to historical monuments associated with the history of the Russian empire has greatly worsened amid the unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The article completely distorts the cause and effect of recent events in Odesa. Russia's aggressive war makes foreign nations, particularly Ukraine, reassess their reception of historical symbols linked to Russia's history.Read our analysis of the Russia’s disinformation system targeting Ukraine and earlier disinformation cases that target Ukraine’s statehood: There is no Ukraine: Russia liberates Russian cities; that Ukraine does not exist as a state; that Ukraine will be split up; Ukraine is a quasi-state with a failed economy; modern Ukraine was created as a country for death in the name of American interests and others.

Ukrainian statehood, Russian world, War in Ukraine, Terrorism

29.12.2022

Anti-Russian Poland reduced the OSCE's effectiveness to zero

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/anti-russian-poland-reduced-the-osces-effectiveness-to-zero

Sputnik Poland

Poland, Russia

Polish

Things are not going well in the OSCE - this organisation was created as a platform for equal dialogue and cooperation, but over the past few years, it has found itself in a deep crisis. The West perceives the OSCE as a tool to promote its collective interests, turning it into an arena for propaganda battles. In 2022, Poland took over the OSCE chairmanship with openly anti-Russian attitudes. In the opinion of Russia, the Poles have succeeded only in one thing: to reduce the effectiveness of OSCE activities to zero.

This message is a part of the Kremlin’s disinformation narrative about anti-Russian Poland and the OSCE.The claim that the Polish Chairmanship in OSCE “destroyed” and marginalised this organisation is ungrounded.This claim was made in connection to the recent Polish decision not to admit Minister Lavrov to the OSCE meeting. On 18 November 2022, the Polish MFA announced its decision not to admit Russian representatives to the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Łódź. According to the Polish statement, “delegations should be adjusted to the current EU regulations and not include persons that are sanctioned by the European Union. Following Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, a number of Russian nationals were added to the list of sanctioned individuals, including Minister Lavrov”. This Polish decision is an act of solidarity with Ukraine.See other disinformation cases about OSCE.

Sergei Lavrov, Diplomacy with Russia, OSCE, Anti-Russian, Propaganda

29.12.2022

The past year’s events put an end to Russia’s honest attempts to establish equal cooperation with the West

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-past-years-events-put-an-end-to-russias-honest-attempts-to-establish-equal-cooperation-with-the-west

Sputnik Czech

Russia, Ukraine

Czech

The past year’s events put an end to Russia’s honest attempts to establish equal cooperation with the so-called collective West. NATO-provoked militarization on Russia’s Western borders lead to difficult decisions after the West rejected Russian proposals regarding security guarantees. These difficult steps included the recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, the launching of a special military operation in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, the holding of referendums in the DPR, the LPR, and the liberated territories of Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, with subsequent acceptance into the Russian Federation.

This is a disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media trying to justify Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine which began on 24 February 2022.In reality, it is not a "special military operation" but an all-out Russian war against a sovereign state. The claim that the West allegedly provoked the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the key messages of Putin’s propaganda. See the Seven Russian Myths about the conflict. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.Article 51 of the UN Charter states the following: “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.” This article – when applied to the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 – gives Ukraine the right to defend its territory, not to Russia to invade it.The so-called referenda held in four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine were not organised in compliance with the UN Charter and the United Nations stated they cannot be considered legal under international law. The same applies to the referenda held in the Donbas region in 2014 and in Crimea. EU High Representative Josep Borrell said on 21 September 2022, before the illegal referendums were held:“The European Union strongly condemns these planned illegal ‘referenda’ which go against the legal and democratically elected Ukrainian authorities, are in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in blatant breach of international law. The results of such actions will be null and void and would not be recognised by the EU and its Member States.Therefore, these illegal ‘votes’ cannot be considered under any circumstance as the free expression of the will of the people living in these regions under constant Russian military threat and intimidation."See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Kherson residents want to join Russia, not Ukraine, that newly liberated Ukrainian regions are returning to Russia, that Crimea democratically voted for reunification with Russia in a referendum, or that this referendum solved the Crimean issue once and for all.

War in Ukraine, Donetsk, NATO, UN, LNR

28.12.2022

The Nazis of Pravy Sektor are responsible for the massacre in Odessa on 2 May 2014

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-nazis-of-pravy-sektor-are-responsible-for-the-massacre-in-odessa-on-2-may-2014

lantidiplomatico.it

Ukraine

Italian

Pianist Valentina Lisitsa's concert at La Fenice in Venice was cancelled because she protested in memory of the massacre in Odessa, carried out in 2014 by Pravi Sektor Nazis, and for having played on 9 May in the city of Mariupol, liberated by the Nazis from the Azov battalion.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about the Odessa tragedy and about Nazi Ukraine.There is no evidence that Pravy Sektor militants were responsible for the Odessa tragedy.No trial has yet established the responsibilities of the different actors before a court. A total of 5 cases on trials and 3 investigations are currently ongoing. Media reported about the tragedy in May 2014: the BBC, the Guardian, the DW. A chronology of the events has been established (1 and 2) and a non-partisan documentary film by Ukrainian Channel 7 has collected testimonies: May 2nd without Myth.Regarding the investigation, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine noted in its report in 2019: "Five years on, there has still not been any accountability for the killings of six and violent deaths of 42 individuals. Some of the criminal proceedings launched after the tragic events have stalled at the pre-trial investigation stage, while others did at the trial stage. This suggests a lack of genuine interest from the authorities to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators."Moreover, Pravy Sektor is a nationalist movement not a Nazi one.Read similar disinformation cases about the May 2 tragedy in Odessa claiming that death squads used by Ukraine to burn protesters in Odesa on May 2, 2014 that the CIA and Victoria Nuland helped the Ukrainian secret service to orchestrate deaths of pro-Russian protesters in Odesa in May 2014 that on May 2, 2014, Ukrainian authorities killed peaceful demonstrators, and that Odessa fire tragedy was premeditated action by the neo-Nazis.

Right Sector, Nazi/Fascist, Odessa tragedy, Odessa

28.12.2022

Starlink, like the Internet, was headed by the Pentagon

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/starlink-like-the-internet-was-headed-by-the-pentagon

sputnik.az

US

Azerbaijani

Initially, the Starlink system was supposedly created for sailors, travellers, residents of remote areas and countries with "autocratic regimes". Starlink, like the Internet, was headed by the Pentagon.

A pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative which advances the idea that private companies are created or controlled by state agencies of Western states. In fact, no evidence is provided that Starlink was, or is headed, by the Pentagon. The Starlink network was designed and is owned and operated by SpaceX. It was created in October 2020 and has more than a million users.Starlink sells internet access through satellites particularly to people in rural areas and other parts of the world who don't already have access to high-speed broadband. The Starlink has received government funding. For example, in 2020, the Federal Communications Commissions awarded Spacex with about 900 million USD. It was also praised by the Pentagon after connecting U.S. troops in the Arctic. However, the Pentagon has not controlled or never funded Starlink.See more cases such as The-West-uses-technology-platforms-for-geopolitical-ends and The-US-has-organised-a-destabilisation-operation-to-bring-about-regime-change-in-cuba-using-bot-campaigns-on-twitter and Facebook-and-twitter-censoring-in-favour-of-joe-biden.

Internet, Military, Secret services

28.12.2022

Central Asian countries are quickly following the Ukrainian, fascist and neo-Nazi path

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/central-asian-countries-are-quickly-following-the-ukrainian-fascist-and-neo-nazi-path

imhoclub.by

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia

Russian

Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries are following the path of the Baltic states and Ukraine. In Kazakhstan, streets are named after and monuments are erected in honour of Nazi collaborators. Soviet-times repressions and Holodomor are becoming the foundation of a new state ideology in Kazakhstan. This ideology can only be pro-Nazi and aimed at the complete de-communisation and de-Russification. “Language patrolling units” are persecuting Russians and Russian-speaking people in Kazakhstan and are becoming the reality in other Central Asian countries. Therefore many direct analogies with Ukraine are observed – the “Ukrainisation” of Kazakhstan is taking place even without “maidans”.Western special services, western NGOs, Ukrainian, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz nationalists, pro-western oligarchs and loyal high-ranking officials as well as officers of Central Asian countries’ special services interested in control over nationalistic and neo-Nazi groups, are collaborating with each other. Similar to what happened in Ukraine, when pro-western oligarchic groupings, assisted with a mass neo-Nazi movement, took power from Yanukovych, US and UK special services may inflame Central Asia using local nationalists, pan-Turkists, and neo-Nazis. Hence, it is indispensable to fight Ukrainisation in the form of spreading neo-Nazism and fascism.

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Nazi Ukraine, which is juxtaposed with the alleged “Nazification” of Central Asian countries. The latter claim is promoted with the use of disinformation about honouring Nazi collaborators and the persecution of the Russian-speaking population by “language patrolling units”. The article presents a big conspiracy speaking about the coordinated actions of Western governments and a variety of local actors in the Central Asian countries in their pursuit of anti-Russian, neo-Nazi activities. In this regard, the article also promotes recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the belligerent West trying to encircle Russia, to separate post-Soviet countries and isolate Russia.The West builds its relations with Central Asian countries based on mutual consent, bilateral interests and benefits. The EU recognises the strategic importance of Central Asia, which links the huge Asian continent with Europe. As the EU is working to make relations with Central Asia stronger and deeper, the European Union’s engagement with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has developed significantly since the countries' independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Yet contrary to the allegations made in the article, the EU and US do not support neo-Nazi groups in Central Asian countries.The “Nazi Ukraine” narrative is often presented in pro-Kremlin outlets as justification for the full-scale Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022. This is part of a disinformation campaign aiming to deflect attention away from Russian actions and justify Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has been the cornerstone of Russian disinformation about the country since the very beginning of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, when it was used to discredit the pro-European popular uprising in Kyiv and, subsequently, the broader pro-Western shift in Ukraine's foreign policy. The accusation of Nazism and building a link to Nazi Germany is one of the favourite techniques of pro-Kremlin outlets. Read our past analysis Nazi east, Nazi west, Nazi over the cuckoo's nest.Learn more about the reasons behind the Kremlin's obsession with framing Ukraine as a Nazi state in the EUvsDisinfo analysis titled "Why does Putin portray himself as the tamer of neo-Nazism".See similar cases claiming that the West is working in the Central Asia to undermine the allied relations between CSTO countries, Western special services are involved in Kazakhstan protests, the Ukrainian special services coordinated protests in Kazakhstan, that Ukrainians are the new Nazis, their actions directed by Europe against Russia, and that Ukraine is ruled by a Nazi junta.

Nazi/Fascist, Anti-Russian, Russophobia, Conspiracy theory, Viktor Yanukovych, Russian language

28.12.2022

Western countries declared war on Russia back in 2014, after the coup d'état in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-countries-declared-war-on-russia-back-in-2014-after-the-coup-detat-in-ukraine

tass.ru,lenta.ru,gazeta.ru

Russia, Ukraine, US

Russian

Western countries declared war on Russia back in 2014.The collective West, led by the United States, is now fighting against Russia.This war was declared to us quite a long time ago - after the coup d'état in Ukraine, orchestrated by the United States and, in fact, supported by the European Union, and after the Minsk agreements, as it now finally turns out, no one was going to implement.

Multiple disinformation narratives from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the West of war in Ukraine, of anti-Russian policies, aggressive Russophobia, and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda to destroy Russia, aiming to portray Russia as a victim and deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s illicit actions. Recurring disinformation narratives about the Minsk agreements and attempt to present the 2013-14 protests in Kyiv as a coup d'état.War on Russia: The West did not declare war on Russia and is not at war with Russia or the Russians. Since Russia launched its full-scale unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been calling for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and a peaceful settlement. The West does not want or seek a war at the heart of Europe.US support: There are no US or NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.Euromaidan: There was no coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014; this is a longstanding pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's Euromaidan. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction by numerous segments of the Ukrainian population to former president Viktor Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the EU in November 2013. Yanukovych stole as much state property and valuables as possible and fled to Russia. Russian annexations: Since 2014, it was Russia that has waged large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and Russia is also responsible for the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, after having illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula and engineered the creation of rebel militias in Donetsk, Luhansk, and other places, with its army, actively participating in military clashes. The war was an act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014.Minsk agreements: Before the invasion, Russia was a party to the Minsk agreements, and these are the most recent formal documents in which Russia has affirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has however not delivered on its side of the implementation of the Minsk agreements. The Russian side and its proxies have failed to implement a ceasefire, withdraw all heavy weapons, implement all-for-all prisoner exchange, or ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance based on an international mechanism. On the contrary, Russia has been strengthening the illegal armed formations in eastern Ukraine. Russia also did not allow for unfettered access to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission monitors, including to the Ukraine-Russia border, where the (very limited) monitoring mission was discontinued due to a Russian veto in summer 2021.Without the full implementation of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons as well as permission for the full access to all territories for the OSCE monitoring mission, it is difficult to discuss the implementation of the political parts of Minsk II. Nevertheless, Ukraine implemented as much of the Minsk agreements as can reasonably be done while not having control over the territory and addressed every point. It has passed – and extended with renewals – legislation on special status and amnesty (2014), and prepared draft legislation on local elections (2014). Ukraine passed constitutional amendments to provide more autonomy to the territories currently outside its control (2015).Read similar cases claiming that A violent coup d’état took place in Ukraine in 2014, that The US supported the 2014 coup d’état in Ukraine or that The EU supported an unconstitutional coup d'état in Ukraine led by the US, that Minsk agreements were an attempt to gain time, that Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine.

War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov, Euromaidan, West, Coup

27.12.2022

Europe is losing to US hegemony

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/europe-is-losing-to-us-hegemony

rtarabic.com,arabic.rt.com

Europe, EU, US, Russia

Arabic

Europe is facing the inability to maintain its position in the world system due to the complete domination of the US over Europe; instead of providing security and economic development, the US provided suicidal measures in the energy sector and the transfer of European industry to the US.

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the war in Ukraine and the US having malicious intentions towards Europe, trying to deflect responsibility for the war from Russia by claiming that the US would benefit from it and has a hidden agenda related to the war.Although the US is an important and historical ally of Europe, the European Union and European states are sovereign entities that shape their own policy and make own decision. The EU is created by the voluntary initiative of European nations, and it has its own, independent foreign policy. Its citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament and Member States are represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.Although the United States is not part of these institutions, and has no say in its decisions, the US is an important long-term ally to the EU.Read similar disinformation cases claiming that the fall of the EU is a US goal; that EU and NATO member states are subordinate to the US, that the US has long regarded the EU as a kind of protectorate, that lined up with the US, the EU never took independent decisions, that Europe is a colony of the United States, and that When the US orders, the EU complies.

Energy, US presence in Europe, Conspiracy theory

27.12.2022

The West tried to destabilise Russia by using Navalny in 2021

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-west-tried-to-destabilise-russia-by-using-navalny-in-2021

rtarabic.com,arabic.rt.com

US, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan

Arabic

By the beginning of 2022, the United States, through a series of coups, had completed the formation of a belt of hostile countries around Russia; as a result, Russia's military allies, Armenia and Kazakhstan, had turned their orientation towards the United States. Belarus, in a state union with Russia, has been destabilised by an attempted coup. With America still dominating the world, civil war there is only a matter of time. The West tried to destabilise Russia itself by using Russian dissident Alexei Navalny in 2021.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Alexei Navalny and the alleged encirclement of Russia by the West; see also here, Myth 5: encirclement.The claim that Navalny is somehow used by the West and foreign special services for the political destabilisation of Russia is disinformation:First, the claims about coups in states around Russia are not supported by any evidence. This narrative typically portrays popular protests and civil uprisings in other states, especially the former Soviet republics, as Western-funded "colour revolutions". This narrative has often been used to justify Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.Second, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has long been the most prominent face of Russian opposition to Vladimir Putin. His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court for embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. He has been arrested and imprisoned several times during his political career.Alexei Navalny was arrested following his return to Russia from Germany in January 2021, where he was treated for poisoning with a Novichok-type chemical nerve agent. The European Union condemned his arrest and demanded his immediate release.See further disinformation claims that the West needs Alexey Navalny to destabilise Russia; that Alexei Navalny is a depleted political project; that the neo-liberal forces behind Navalny will intensify their attempts to destroy Russia; that Navalny is used as an instrument by Western special services and that the West needs Alexei Navalny to destabilise the situation in Russia.*This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claims that Europe is losing to US hegemony and theft of Russian assets is a breach of private property law

Coup, Encircling Russia, West, Conspiracy theory, Alexei Navalny

27.12.2022

The war in Ukraine is a global conflict to destroy Russia

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-war-in-ukraine-is-a-global-conflict-to-destroy-russia

baltnews.com

Russia, Ukraine

Russian

The war in Ukraine is a global conflict. It shows the actions of the collective West and its puppet Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The main purpose of the conflict is to weaken or even destroy Russia.

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation claim about the war in Ukraine and claiming that the West, the US and NATO are directly involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.The West is not at war with Russia or the Russians. Since Russia launched its full-scale unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been calling for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and a peaceful settlement. The West is not interested in the continuation of the war at the heart of Europe.There are no US or NATO forces on the frontline. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military assistance to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression, but they are not involved in direct fighting. Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors train Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry and NATO officials have frequent political contacts with Ukrainian counterparts, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front.See similar claims of disinformation: The conflict in Ukraine was provoked by Washington; The conflict in Ukraine is a Western proxy war against Russia; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine.

West, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

27.12.2022

The EU lost its sovereignty and got weakened by the US

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-eu-lost-its-sovereigntyand-got-weakened-by-the-us

Sputnik Poland

Germany, US, EU, Russia, China

Polish

Europe effectively lost its identity on the international scene, both in terms of security and diplomacy. The US has achieved much more than it was necessary in terms of weakening its main rival – today, this rival is the European Union, not China. The US has not only weakened but actually ‘de-Europeanised’ Europe, pushing it under the rule of the Russophobic, pro-American and anti-European ‘lobby’ of the Eastern European Limitrophe states.

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about an alleged lost sovereignty of the EU and its member states  (more examples). Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray European states as vassals, puppet states or colonies of the US and NATO.The European Union is a sovereign entity, created by the voluntary initiative of European nations, and it has its own, independent foreign policy. Its citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament and Member States are represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.Although the United States is not part of these institutions, and has no say in its decisions, the US is an important long-term ally to the EU.Read similar disinformation cases claiming that EU and NATO member states are subordinate to the US, while the US has long regarded the EU as a kind of protectorate, that lined up with the US, the EU never took independent decisions, that Europe is a colony of the United States, that When the US orders, the EU complies.

US presence in Europe, Anti-Russian, Sovereignty, Puppets, EU disintegration, Russophobia, Eastern Ukraine

27.12.2022

Russia is not responsible for the war in Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/russia-is-not-responsible-for-the-war-in-ukraine

rutube.ru

Ukraine, Russia, US, EU, UK

Russian

The war in Ukraine is not the result of the policy of Russia, but of third countries, which even now continue to pump weapons into Ukraine, sending more NATO officers, artillerymen, and other specialists.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim about the war in Ukraine and the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine unleashed on February 24, 2022. This disinformation narrative aims to deflect Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked military aggression against a peaceful neighbouring country.In 2021, Russia started a large-scale military build-up near the border with eastern Ukraine, generating great concern in Ukraine, Europe and across the world.On 21 February 2022, after weeks of extreme tensions, President Vladimir Putin decided to recognise the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (administrative regions) in Ukraine as independent entities and to send Russian troops into these areas. This followed a positive vote by the Russian State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) on 15 February.On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The claim that the West allegedly provoked the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the key messages of Putin’s disinformation. See the Seven Russian Myths about the conflict. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII. The US and EU did not aim to escalate relations with Russia and were not preparing for military conflict. Western nations have always called to solve problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.The EU condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and imposed the toughest restrictive measures on Russia. Read more about the EU response and support for Ukraine.For further information, see also the Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War and The Chilling Background to the Kremlin's "No War" trope.

War in Ukraine

27.12.2022

The US will push Lithuania for war against Russia after the collapse of Ukraine

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-us-will-push-lithuania-for-war-against-russia-after-the-collapse-of-ukraine

Laivaslaikrastis.lt

Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, US

Lithuanian

Lithuania is preparing for war against Russia. It is Washington's will. The US sees that Ukraine, under the rule of Zelenskyy’s gang, is near collapse. Biden will order Lithuania to begin the war against Russia when Ukraine loses.Ukraine is a poor state ruled by a gang of psychopaths (like Zelenskyy). They seized power in Kyiv like the Bolsheviks in Russia in 1917.

This article contains a mix of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives. Ukraine and Lithuania are presented as puppets under the rule of the US. The article also repeats disinformation about the alleged coup in Kyiv in 2014.Lithuania is not planning to go to war with Russia. The US, or other Western countries, are not at war with Russia or the Russians. Since Russia launched its full-scale unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been calling for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and a peaceful settlement. The US is not interested in the continuation of the war at the heart of Europe.The statement about a coup in Kyiv and the legitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities is also false. The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan", or "Euromaidan" – were a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with the former President Yanukovych. After seven years of negotiation, he refused to sign the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement and halted progress towards Ukraine's closer relationship with the EU due to Russian pressure. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, the formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections, and an end to violence.Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to power later. He was elected during free democratic elections in 2019. The candidature of Zelenskyy was supported by more than 73 per cent of voters. Petro Poroshenko, head of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, was not re-elected and lost the elections with 23 percent of the vote.See similar examples of disinformation presenting the US or other Western countries as beneficiaries of the war in Ukraine: The US is pushing Europe into conflict with Russia; the West views Ukrainian war as decisive battle against Russia; Military conflict in Ukraine caused by the US and NATO.

War in Ukraine, Puppets, Volodymyr Zelensky, Coup, Invasion of Ukraine

27.12.2022

The strategic goal of the US and NATO is the destruction of Russia and elimination of Putin

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/the-strategic-goal-of-the-us-and-nato-is-the-destruction-of-russia-and-elimination-of-putin

gazeta.ru,tlgrm.ru,tass.ru

Russia, US

Russian

It is no longer a secret to anyone that the strategic goal of the United States and its NATO allies is to defeat Russia on the battlefield as a mechanism for significantly weakening or even destroying our country. To achieve this goal, our opponents are ready for a lot. [...] some “unnamed officials” from the Pentagon actually threatened to inflict a “decapitation blow” on the Kremlin; in fact, we are talking about the threat of physical elimination of the head of the Russian state.

Conspiracy theory. Pro-Kremlin outlets' disinformation narrative accusing the US/NATO and the West of anti-Russian policies, escalation in Ukraine, aggressive Russophobia and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda to destroy, ruin Russia, aiming to portray Russia as a victim and deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s illicit actions.From the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the emergence of a new and democratic Russia and up to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Western nations were treating Russia as an equal. The West was trying to establish good-neighborly relations with Moscow since the collapse of the USSR and until the moment when Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. According to the 1997 Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation, and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation, Russia was viewed as a partner of the alliance. Western nations were calling for solving all problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner, trying to conduct a constructive dialogue with Russia on all disputed issues, including security guarantees. Russia cut short all attempts at achieving a compromise over security guarantees by attacking Ukraine. As Russia kept conducting its aggressive policy and violating international law, the West had to resort to restrictive measures.The strategy of decapitation is the military tactic of launching a blow against an enemy’s leadership centre to prevent it from fighting effectively. It was Russia’s plan at the start of the Ukraine war when its forces launched a botched attempt to quickly overpower Kyiv in the first hours and days after 24 February 2022.The West or the US are not at war with Russia or the Russians. Since Russia launched its unjustified aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been calling for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine and a peaceful settlement. The US administration has repeatedly stated that it does not seek to overthrow Putin, despite the rejection of his actions.

Anti-Russian, NATO, Destabilising Russia, Sergei Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Russophobia, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine

25.12.2022

Western sanctions hurt EU more than Russia, only US benefits

https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/western-sanctions-hurt-eu-more-than-russia-only-us-benefits

RT English

EU, Europe, Russia, US

English

Western sanctions against have inflicted more pain on the EU economy than on Russia's. Both the sanctions and the Nord Stream explosions were orchestrated to make Europe dependent on expensive LNG imports from the United States, which is the only beneficiary of these anti-Russian measures.

The claim advances recurring disinformation narratives painting the sanctions on Russia as primarily hurting Western economies, and portraying the ongoing energy crisis as a "self-inflicted" problem.In 2022, the European countries actively switched to LNG deliveries as the main alternative source of gas after the Russian decision to cut off gas supplies to Europe.After the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities completely destroyed the European trust in Gazprom as a predictable and solid partner. Throughout 2022, Russia deliberately cut the gas supplies to the EU and made impossible further gas supplies through the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines.The EU adopted so far nine sanction packages against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories. The EU is preparing a 10th package of sanctions, which will focus on technology that may be used by Russia’s military and reducing sanctions circumvention.Europe is facing an energetic crisis that is directly linked not to the sanctions, but to Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine and its use of gas supplies as a weapon of war. The EU took steps “to secure the EU’s energy supplies, such as a gas storage regulation, a gas demand reduction regulation, the creation of an EU energy platform and outreach initiatives for the diversification of supply sources.” Russia is no longer a stable and reliable supplier and while Europe is indeed facing an energy crisis with diversification to other sources, it is still set to grow this year according to the European Commission's summer 2022 forecast, while Russia's economy is expected to contract by 6% in 2022.It is estimated that in 2022, the Russian GPD reduced by up to perhaps 4.5%.In addition, a recent study from Yale University takes a detailed look into the effects sanctions are having on the Russian economy, concluding that “business retreats and sanctions are catastrophically crippling the Russian economy.”Despite benefiting from high energy prices, the IMF still expects Russia’s economy will contract by over 3 percent this year. Lost investment, export controls, and constraints on Russia’s real economy will create a drag on Russia’s growth prospects for years to come. Significantly, U.S. sanctions and export controls have severed Russia’s access to key technologies and industrial inputs that erode its military capability.See also the assessment of EU HRVP Josep Borrell: sanction policy is working and strongly impacts the Russian economy.The Autumn 2022 Eurobarometer survey shows that three-quarters of EU citizens approve of the EU’s overall support of Ukraine as well as the specific measures including sanctions against Russia. Democracy, human rights, and free speech are paramount to EU citizens as they call on the European Parliament to defend these values on which the EU is founded.Read here about the EU and the US sanctions explained.

Energy, Sanctions, Anti-Russian, US presence in Europe