Language:

See all Disinfo Cases - Detail

Disinfo: Lithuania is NATO's dog barking at Russia and Belarus

Summary

Lithuanian politicians cannot have their opinion because Lithuanian politics does not exist as such. Lithuania has the same degree of sovereignty as a stray dog on a chain. In the east of NATO and the EU, Lithuanian political dog is tied to protect the yard. Its freedom is limited to the chain’s length and its freedom of expression is manifested in barking at Russia and Belarus. When the political dog is taken to the oversees farm it starts barking even more out of gratitude.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about lost sovereignty and vassal Baltic states, aimed to discredit Lithuania and other Baltic states. Lithuania is an independent state, which makes sovereign decisions about its foreign and domestic policy. NATO's increased presence in the Baltic Sea region has been a request of the Baltic states. Following Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia requested a greater NATO presence in the region. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the US is occupying the EU and the Baltic countries nearly lost their statehood, that Lithuania is a hostage of the American interests in Eastern Europe, and that Lithuania is temporarily NATO-occupied territory ruled by non-Lithuanians.

Go to search

publication/media

Sputnik Belarus - Russian (Archived)
Sputnik Latvia - Russian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 190
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/03/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Country: Belarus, Lithuania, Russia
  • Keywords: Puppets, Sovereignty, NATO, Baltic states
see more

Radioactive source stolen in Ukraine; EU in danger

In Ukraine, a radioactive source has disappeared from the city of Uzhhorod (Transcarpathian region). A radioactive source IBN-7 (1991 release) was stolen from Uzhhorod National University. A nuclear facility can be used for malicious purposes and will be smuggled into one of the four countries of the European Union – Romania, Hungary, Slovakia or Poland.

Mar 05, 2020
Disproof

Disinformation concerning nuclear issues and crime in Ukraine. In Ukraine, ionising radiation sources have been widely used in the medical field, nuclear energy, industry, geology, the military-industrial complex, as well as in scientific research. In Ukraine, all enterprises and organisations using ionising radiation sources are required to obtain an appropriate license from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate and many other permits. According to the data of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate in western Ukraine and Transcarpathia, in 2019, 358 different radiation facilities were used, but Uzhhorod National University did not have a permit for the use of any sources. That is, there was no active IBN-7 in the educational institution (p. 59-60). Also, the Russian media claim that the “stolen nuclear source” will soon be “smuggled out” to EU countries. However, all entry and exit control points at the border, both in Ukraine and in the EU, are equipped with special equipment to help detect illegal shipments of radioactive materials. In 2019, three such cases were identified on the western borders of Ukraine. The seized radioactive materials were transferred to a special nuclear storage facility "Radon". (p. 59-60) Moreover, the disinformation mentions that the IBN-7 was released in 1991, however, the "Mayak" enterprise’s website, which produces IBN-7, says that the maximum service life of this type of IBN is 10 years. After that, fast neutron sources are sent for nuclear disposal. (p.45)

Lithuania has no sovereign policy

Lithuanian politicians, do not and cannot, have their own opinions. Moreover, there is no Lithuanian policy and cannot be. There is a certain degree of sovereignty like that of a dog tied to a short leash. In the East of NATO and the EU, a Lithuanian political dog is tied to guard the yard. It has freedom within the chain, freedom of expression that is made to address two Eastern neighbors – Russia and Belarus.

Mar 05, 2020
Disproof

This message is part of a Pro Kremlin disinformation narrative undermining the statehood of Lithuania, presenting the Baltic states as not sovereign, as “vassals” of US and NATO and used against Russia. See other examples of this narrative here, here and here. Lithuania is an independent state, which makes sovereign decisions about its foreign and domestic policy. NATO's increased presence in the Baltic Sea region has been at the request of the Baltic states. Following Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia requested a greater NATO presence in the region. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Lithuania is occupied by NATO, NATO buried Latvia’s and Lithuania’s independence, Baltic countries are typical replica states with no own political history and tradition, Lithuania is not independent because it follows the same position as the EU, NATO and the US, Lithuania is a hostage of the American interests in Eastern Europe.