Disinfo: Foreign actors were directly involved in the Kazakh protests

Summary

The Kazakh leader stated that foreign parties were directly involved in the protests, but it is not yet clear which forces were responsible

Disproof

A disinformation claim about January 2022 protests in Kazakhstan.

The pro-Kremlin media frequently falsely portray popular protests around the world as instigated from abroad, often by the US and the West. The disinformation narrative has been applied, among others, to reports about protests in Georgia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Belarus, Venezuela, Slovakia, Hong Kong, with the aim of portraying protest movements as aggressive actors who constantly prepare new coups.

The trigger and immediate cause of the protests in Kazakhstan was the government's lifting of price controls on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that took place in early January. France 24 reports that this measure caused prices of gas to more than double for Kazakhs, many of whom depend on LPG for its low cost.

There are however more deep-rooted causes for the protests in a country that suffers from lack of democracy, corruption and economic difficulties despite being rich in economic resources. For example, Kazakhstan ranks 128 out of 167 countries in the 2020 Democracy Index, and also ranks 94 out of 180 countries in the 2020 Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

See also the statement by the EU High Representative here.

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de.news-front.info (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 270
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/01/2022
  • Article language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Kazakhstan, Russia
  • Keywords: Protest
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Disinfo: CSTO should have intervened in Belarus to prevent a colour revolution

While some were predicting for a long intervention, Russian military bases and Tokayev handing the keys of Nur-Sultan to a Russian general, none of that happened because Russia acted very thoughtfully towards its ally. Russia's broad support to Kazakhstan in a difficult moment, which allowed Kazakh govenment to restore order. This support was pragmatic and professionaly executed to achieve immediate results.

Russia's interest is to keep Kazakhstan stable with a strong president who is not accused of depending on foreign interference. The same could have happened in Belarus, but Alexander Lukashenko was overconfident and missed the right moment before Western “colour revolution” techniques were used in domestic protests.

Jan 18, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the protests in Belarus. This is consistent with the narrative about popular protests around the world which claims that they are incited and funded by Western states, including colour revolutions in post-Soviet states. It claims that protests, disorders and civil uprisings are never manifestations of popular discontent but are “colour revolutions” directed and funded by the West.

Protests in Belarus were not the outcome of "Western colour revolution techniques", but erupted to contest the results of the presidential election that took place in Belarus on the 9th of August 2020, which were not monitored by independent experts, and are largely considered fraudulent by both international observers and a large part of the Belarusian society. See here for the EU's reaction.

Disinfo: For the West, Ukraine is a platform for conflict against Russia

The West sees Ukraine as a platform for conflict against Russia. Ukraine's territory is occupied not only by the US but also by its satellites, which execute instructions coming from Washington.

Russia has never threatened Ukraine, neither publicly, nor behind closed doors. Russian military forces near the border with Ukraine are needed only for Russia's security. They are deployed exclusively in reaction to military actions of the US and NATO.

Jan 18, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about encircled Russia and the statehood of Ukraine . These well-known claims are now going one step further by claiming that Ukraine is actually occupied by US and countries under Washingtons control.

The US, NATO or the “collective West” are not interested in a war against Russia. Western powers are trying to ensure peace and security in the region. I.e., the US is concerned that Russia is likely planning a massive military offensive against Ukraine. The US president Joe Biden warned Russia on 19 January 2022 that it “would pay dearly for full-scale invasion”. Earlier, the EU also warned Russia about the high costs of invasion into Ukraine.

Disinfo: Cyber-attack was organised by Ukraine itself to use it against Russia

There is a strong basis to believe that the cyber-attack was organised by the Ukrainians themselves, in order, on the one hand, to erase the traces of their dark deeds and, on the other hand, to use it in the information war against Russia.

Jan 18, 2022
Disproof

Unfounded pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine. Such claims are part of an ongoing disinformation campaign to blur the picture about Russia’s military buildup on the border with Ukraine. By accusing Ukraine of being behind the escalation of tensions, this disinformation story aims to deny any Russian responsibility for the situation. No evidence was given to support the allegation.

There is no basis to believe the cyber-attack that hit the government websites of Ukraine on 14 January was staged by Ukraine itself. Kyiv, on the other hand, stated “it had uncovered preliminary clues Russian security services could have been behind the cyber-attack.”