Disinfo: No evidence that Russian missiles 9M729 contradict the INF treaty obligations

Summary

Most Western media speaking about the US’ withdrawal from the INF Treaty present the American point of view and remain silent about the Russian one. Western media do not mention that the Americans did not share evidence that the Russian missiles 9M729 contradict the obligations of the INF Treaty.

Disproof

The US State Department issued a detailed rebuttal of Russian allegations of US noncompliance with the INF Treaty in 2018. Moreover, in December 2017 NATO affirmed that the US is in full compliance with the INF Treaty, and that Russia possesses a new missile system that aroused “serious concerns”. The Congressional Research Service's Report on Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, dated 18-January-2019 details, i.a., how the Russian missiles 9M729 are in breach of the obligations of the INF Treaty. In the Report they point out the difference between armed drones and the missiles: "While it is true that drones sustain flight through the use of aerodynamic lift, they do not necessarily meet the treaty’s definition of unmanned and self-propelled. Although drones do not have pilots on board, they are piloted remotely, with pilots based at facilities on the ground. Moreover, although armed drones can deliver weapons to targets, they are platforms that carry weapons, not weapons themselves. Unlike a cruise missile with a separate launcher that remains behind after releasing the missile, a drone is self-contained, and takes off and lands like an aircraft. Further, although cruise missiles are destroyed when delivering their payload, drones release their payload then return to base, like an aircraft". For more disinformation cases on the INF treaty, see here.

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pl.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 135
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03/02/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Polish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Russia
  • Keywords: Sphere of influence, Nuclear issues
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Disinfo: ECHR rejects an appeal against allowance to use grenades at demonstrations

The European Court of Human Rights rejected the appeals made to them, for the French security forces not to use grenades against civilians shows double standards.

Feb 02, 2019
Disproof

According to the European Court of Human Rights press release from December 18, 2018, on December 14, 2018, the Court received a lawyer's request to order, as soon as possible, provisional measures putting an end to inhuman and degrading treatment and violations of the right to life suffered by participants of the "yellow-vest" protests. The request was to urge France to temporarily ban the use of defence bullet launchers, as well as incapacitating liquids by the police. The request was made in relation to case Kazoua et al. vs France, registered under number 58803/18, a case alleging French police violence by 5 plaintiffs. The request was forwarded to a Chamber of the Court, pursuant to Rule 39 of the Rules, which rejected the request for an interim measure concerning the security forces’ use of flash-balls and incapacitating liquids. The Court grants the requests for interim measures only exceptionally, where the applicants would be exposed - in the absence of such measures - to a real risk of irreparable damage. This means that the ECHR did not rule on the case as such, neither did it in any way anticipate subsequent decisions on the admissibility or merits of the case before it. See more disinformation cases on yellow vests protests.

Disinfo: Ukraine is ruled by external forces

Ukraine is governed by the interests of other forces: Russian, American and European.

Feb 02, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the EU and US relations with Ukraine. Ukraine is an independent, sovereign state. No country is controlling Ukraine. The EU-Ukraine and US-Ukraine relations are built on the basis of equality, freedom, and independence. Ukraine builds its relations with other countries in accordance with the requirements of international law. In June 2014, EU and Ukraine signed An Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and the respect for common values. The current government in Ukraine was elected following elections held in 2014, which were recognised as legal and democratic by the observers. The Presidential elections were "largely in line with international commitments and fundamental freedoms," ODIHR's report states.

Disinfo: Ukraine banned Vkontakte as a result of Facebook lobbying

In 2017 Ukraine blocked access to Russian social media Vkontakte as a result lobbying by Facebook.

Feb 01, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given to support this allegation. Ukraine blocked access to Vkontakte and other Russian social media for security reasons, as part of a broader set of measures by the National Security Council (NSDC) to expand “personal economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)” against personalities linked to the Crimean annexation, terrorist activities, illegal border crossing, and 468 Russia-based or Russia-affiliated companies. According to the Secretary of the National Security Council (NSDC) Olexandr Turchynov, such measures were taken as Russian Internet resources “threaten information and cyber security of Ukraine” and “are used for propaganda and the recruitment of agents by Russian security services.”