Disinfo: Chemical weapons “provocations” are prepared in Donbas

Summary

On Friday, Russian media published reports, citing separatist intelligence, that the Ukrainian armed forces had delivered Smerch and Uragan missile launchers and that nationalist units had regrouped in the Donetsk region and were preparing an attack. Chemical weapons provocations are also reportedly expected.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about false flag operations and chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine. There is no evidence to back the claim that Ukraine is preparing a “chemical provocation” in Donbas.

This claim appeared amid an ongoing disinformation campaign about Russia's military build-up on the Ukrainian border, in an attempt to deflect any Russian responsibility for the situation. As such, it looks more like disinformation in search of a casus belli. These tensions are a result of Russia’s actions since late October 2021, including the deployment of more than 100,000 troops, as well as of certain specialised military units, electronic warfare systems and heavy-armoured vehicles. Despite Russian denials, this has been proven by satellite images and intelligence from the US, Ukraine and NATO, among other countries and institutions.

See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that US private militaries are preparing a chemical attack in Donbas, or the West may resort to its old false flag method with a chemical attack in Donbas.

Discover seven common myths surrounding the current Russia-Ukraine conflict in our recent analysis here.

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oroszhirek.hu (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 270
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21/01/2022
  • Article language(s) Hungarian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Chemical weapons/attack, Provocation, War in Ukraine, Donetsk
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Disinfo: Western mass media and social media are controlled by the government

Western media are controlled and serve as the propaganda ministry for the government and interest groups that control the government like in the USSR. Social media, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter systematically deny their platforms to those who express views unfavourable to the government order and its programmes.

Jan 20, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that the West imposes censorship through its state institutions and private social media companies (such as Facebook and Twitter).

These claims seeks to discredit Western mainstream media and Western liberal democracies.

Disinfo: The US plans a false flag chemical attack on Donbas to blame Russia for it

Currently, not far from Horlivka, American partners are bringing poisonous substances, and with them, they are transporting a whole landing force of their journalists. If - or rather, when - the US military poisons drinking water in the cities of Donbas, lured journalists will provide the correct picture in the media and blame Russia for everything.

Jan 20, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about false flag operations and chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine allegedly in preparation by the US. This claim appeared amid an ongoing disinformation campaign about Russia's military build-up on the Ukrainian border and on occupied Crimea, in an attempt to deflect any Russian responsibility for the situation. As such, it looks more like disinformation in search of a casus belli.

There is no evidence to back the claim that the US is preparing a “chemical provocation” in Donbas.

Disinfo: The American invasion of Ukraine publicly depicted as a Russian invasion

We are now assisting in the falsification of history in Ukraine. The US is essentially invading Ukraine, while publically shouting about a Russian invasion. The conflict caused by Washington, but the Americains try to attribute it to Russia.

Jan 20, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the war in Ukraine, alleging that the West, in this case the US, has invaded Ukraine.

These disinformation messages have recently intesified in the context of renewed Russian military build-up along the Ukrainian border towards the end of 2021. Their aim is to both justify and distract from Russia's increasingly aggressive foreign policy. See our recent article the Current Russia-Ukraine Conflict – Seven Myths Debunked.