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Disinfo: American biolaboratory in Armenia is the epicentre of the spread of new coronavirus in the region

Summary
COVID-19 distribution source found in Armenia. American biological laboratory in Armenia is the epicentre of the spread of new coronavirus infection in the region.
Disproof

Conspiracy theory about the coronavirus, based on recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about biological weapons, consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and other countries.

The story fits the broader set of conspiracy theories on the supposed man-made origins of various infectious diseases. There is no evidence to suggest that the virus was fabricated inside laboratories. The virus "2019-nCoV” comes from a family of viruses that include the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS. The medical Journal “Emerging Microbes & Infections” specifically said there is “No credible evidence supporting claims of the laboratory engineering.”

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publication/media

cont.ws (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 195
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 09/04/2020
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Armenia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Lugar Laboratory, laboratory, Conspiracy theory

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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Kyiv’s Western protectors are inflaming war in the Donbas

The West needs Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as a cover for the attacks on the republics in the Donbas. The Ukrainian army continues shelling the Donbas. The blood for the barbarian acts of Ukraine is on the hands of European leaders. These leaders continue to support Ukrainian aggression by claiming that Russia is not fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk Treaty. This is good for the West because they can keep anti-Russian sanctions in effect forever.

May 04, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the war in Ukraine.

The Minsk Treaty is violated by both sides. OSCE mission’s reports available on the OSCE website conclude that both sides breach the Minsk Treaty. The OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says that in the first quarter of 2020, 80% of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines were found in non-government-controlled areas. According to the organisation's daily reports, ceasefire violations can be attributed to both sides as well. The OSCE also notes that the Special Monitoring Mission has been continuously denied entry to non-government-controlled areas or their attempts to cross official checkpoints have been delayed, which impedes the implementation of the Mission's mandate throughout the country. There is no evidence that European leaders are either controlling the Ukrainian government in any way or giving orders to it to continue attacking the Donbas.

Coronavirus epidemic disrupted European unity and accelerated EU disintegration

[…] the coronavirus epidemic disrupted the once strong European unity and accelerated [EU] disintegration processes.
It is already clear that there will be no Schengen visa. Well, most likely, there will be no European Union.
[…] today, everyone can see that the European Union is collapsing, even though until recently it seemed strong and unshakable.

May 04, 2020
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that is consistent with the disinformation message that the Schengen zone has collapsed and more broadly, with the disinformation narrative that the EU is collapsing as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

The current situation is an example of how indispensable Schengen is to the European economy and way of life, and not just for Italy. In the current exceptional situation, many EU Member States introduced temporary border controls to slow the spread of coronavirus, which adhere to the Schengen border code, but the EU Commission is ensuring that EU-wide supply chains continue to operate and that flow of goods and key services continues around the clock.

The US is behind the removal of Konev’s monument in Prague

The decision to remove the monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague was not made by the Czech leadership, it was a vile decision of people going against the national interests of the Czech Republic.

The conclusion to justify the liquidation of the monument was prepared by an American company.

May 04, 2020
Disproof

This is part of the recurring disinformation campaign about the statue of Marshall Konev in Prague. It also capitalises on the common pro-Kremlin narrative about the US standing behind all hostile anti-Russian intentions.

The democratically elected municipal council of Prague 6 voted for the removal of the statue. Using the protocol of the Politbureau's assembly, Czech historians established that on 8-14 May 1968 Konev chaired the Soviet military delegation sent to Prague to prepare the military invasion of Czechoslovakia. Konev was also chief of the Soviet troops in East Germany during the Berlin wall crisis in 1961. In other words, the Red Army brought not only liberation but also the terror to Czechia, as the mayor of Prague 6, Ondřej Kolář, reminded.