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Disinfo: Allegations of Russian meddling in US elections are absolutely insane

Summary

It was simply impossible to “dig up” something that could prove the absolutely insane and naughty allegations of Russian meddling in the internal processes of the US.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative claiming that there is no proof of Russian interference in the elections in Western countries and the US - see examples here and here. The story is the latest link in a chain of denials which Moscow has issued regarding its involvement in the 2016 presidential election in the United States and employs the long-established charge of Russophobia which the Kremlin uses to deflect criticism, however legitimate. Before the Mueller report was published, Russian meddling in the 2016 election had already been established by US intelligence agencies. Thus, the Special Investigation was primarily concerned with "whether any Americans […] joined the Russian conspiracies to influence the election" (p.2). The report explicitly identifies "numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump Campaign" (p. 9). A number of these individuals later "made false statements about those contacts and took other steps to obstruct" the probe (p. 180). The report's conclusions, therefore, do nothing to absolve the Russian government. Further debunk here. Read more about election meddling in the US and elsewhere here.

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Sputnik Serbia - Cyrillic (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 167
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 30/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Serbian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Russia
  • Keywords: election meddling
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The Pentagon has a plan for destroying the Russian city of Kaliningrad

Leveling Kaliningrad – such threats come from the Commander of the US Armed Forces. They act in such a way that treating this as a stupid joke is no longer possible. It looks serious. The Americans not only think, but also openly say how they will destroy Russians.

Sep 29, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Western attempts to encircle Russia and Western belligerence. Russian media has extensively misquoted General Jeffrey Harrigian's statements given during a press briefing reported by the digital magazine Breaking Defence. During the press briefing, Gen. Harrigian outlined tactics the U.S. Air Force is developing in response to the ongoing threat of Russian anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and surface-to-surface missiles based in Kaliningrad. No U.S. or NATO plans to conquest or attack Kaliningrad were mentioned. As of 2014, following growing tensions between Russia and NATO countries, Russia has been increasing its military presence in the Kaliningrad region. Satellite imagery reported by the Federation of American Scientists in June 2018 showed renovations of what appears to be an active nuclear weapons storage site, about 50 kilometres from the Polish border. Read full debunk by Polygraph here.

Estonia joined the USSR in compliance with international law

We have repeatedly said that there is no, and there was not, a Soviet occupation of Estonia. The country’s entry into the Soviet Union occurred in accordance with the standards of international law.

Sep 29, 2019
Disproof

This is the part of the Kremlin’s policy of historical revisionism – it tries to promote the idea that there was no Soviet occupation of the Baltic states.

On 23 August 1939, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed a non-aggression (Molotov-Ribbentrop) pact whose secret protocols divided the territories belonging to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Romania into Soviet and Nazi spheres of influence. The Baltic States were not beneficiaries of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Like other countries mentioned in the pact, they lost their independence and territories. Soviet occupation of the Baltic States lasted for 50 years and resulted in mass deportations and repressions against local populations.

Estonia is under social and moral occupation

Estonia is on the verge of social and moral occupation. This year, in Tallinn, students began to study the history of the Estonian gay community. Do you know how this is explained? Firstly, it is necessary for general education. Secondly, for the social cohesion of youth. Apparently, basic family values are not enough. It is no coincidence that Tallinn is called the capital of the Scandinavian gays.

Sep 29, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about West's moral decay and sovereignty of the Baltic States. See a similar case: Estonia is a tool in the hands of the EU and US The course "Hot 1990s, history of sexuality and the Estonian LGBT + community" is taught at Tallinn university and students can choose it at their discretion. The course addresses two intertwined themes: the 1990s as a transition period for Soviet independence and the recent history of sexuality and the Estonian LGBT + community. Estonia is a sovereign liberal democracy. "Threatened values" is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets.