Disinfo: Armenia and Azerbaijan are part of historic Russia, their independence is accidental

Summary

Russia will prevent a full-fledged protracted war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries are not just located in the Russian sphere of influence, but also belong to the post-Soviet space. Hence, they are part of historic Russia, be it the Russian empire or the USSR. Three decades of independence do not make Armenia and Azerbaijan accomplished sovereign states. Actual sustainable statehood does not stem from an accidental historical occasion such as the break up of the USSR. Armenians and Azeris received their countries largely accidentally.

Disproof

This is rare example of a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian world applied to Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is used much more often to denigrate the history and statehood of Belarus and Ukraine. Armenia and Azerbaijan are sovereign countries and are well-defined nation-states with a long history; both nations preserved language, literature and identity, despite foreign rule for long periods. The recent escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a continuation of the decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is reported that nearly 100 people, including civilians, have died as of 29 September 2020. On 27 September, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell made a statement calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, de-escalation and for strict observance of the ceasefire. The USSR collapsed as a result of many socio-economic and political factors, its break-up was not an accidental occasion as alleged in the article. See earlier disinformation cases claiming that the war in Donbas is a consequence of USSR’s break-up and ban against Russian language, that the West destroyed the USSR and is currently targeting the Union State between Belarus and Russia, that the West destabilises Belarus to destroy Russian civilisation, an alternative route of human development, and that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was staged by third parties to divert Russia from Belarus and Syria.

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sputnik.by (Archived)
RIA (Archived)
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  • Reported in: Issue 214
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/09/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia
  • Keywords: USSR, Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian expansionism, Russian world
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Disinfo: Russia never meddles in the internal affairs of other countries

Russia never meddles in internal affairs of its neighbours, or more generally any other country.

Sep 28, 2020
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative denying the meddling in internal affairs of neighbouring countries and all countries in general.

The interference of Russia in internal affairs of ex-soviet countries is a long tradition that even ended sometimes in frozen armed conflicts.

Disinfo: The escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is directed against Russia

The escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh is about to get out of control, a scenario wished by some. It can’t be ruled out that this may be directed against Moscow, where the goal is to take the war to a strategic territory for Russia, sensitive for the security of its southern flank. This is something that the Armenian government seem to be starting to understand, after having flirted with the US since 2018 without realising that for this power it is only and exclusively a tool for its regional strategy, subversive and terrorist since it is based on destroying and dividing countries, turning people into enemies of each other and this way securing its presence, the sale of weapons and the plundering of natural and material reaches. The future and welfare of Armenia depend on its indestructible alliance with Russia, something that is clear for most Armenians but not so much for some of its rulers who are now starting to understand that their political games jeopardise the mere existence of a country and a people.

Sep 28, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theory with no proof presented to support any of the claims, mixing several recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russia being encircled by an aggressive West, and the need for Russia’s neighbours to yield to its requests in order to maintain good relations. There is no evidence that foreign powers had anything to do with the September 2020 military escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan and that the escalation is meant to destabilise Russia. See other examples in our database, such as claims that the US embassy in Armenia is a mini-Pentagon escalating tension in the region and the Middle East; that western curators organised an anti-Russian coup in Armenia; that the US is encircling Russia with biological labs for a future attack and is ready to carry out a false flag operation in Alaska to blame Russia; or that it is using the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh to exhaust and destabilise Russia.

Disinfo: NYT story on Trump's tax returns proves Russiagate is a hoax

The New York Times report on Donald Trump’s tax returns admits that there are no financial ties between the US president and Russia. This proves that the Russiagate narrative is thoroughly discredited, and no one in their right mind is paying attention to CIA statements about “Russian influence” any longer.

Sep 28, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative denying Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The NYT report analysing President Trump's tax returns does say that the documents do not "reveal any previously unreported connections to Russia" [emphasis added]. This does not contradict the January 2017 findings of the US intelligence community or the Special Counsel investigation. In the course of the latter, the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller "issued more than 2,800 subpoenas; [...] executed nearly 500 search-and-seizure warrants; [...] obtained more than 230 orders for communications records; [...] and interviewed approximately 500 witnesses, including almost 80 before a grand jury" (Mueller report, p. 13), and concluded that Moscow had "interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion" (p. 1). See here for a summary of the report's findings.