Disinfo: NATO exercises in Lithuania, named after a Lithuanian fascist group, aim to provoke Russia

Summary

NATO exercises in Lithuania, named after a Lithuanian fascist armed group, try to provoke and frighten Russia. NATO has always known how to “dignify” historical events in an infamous way. Germany had joined NATO on 9 May 1955 – exactly ten years after the Russian day of victory over fascism. Will all right-wing radicals in the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence want to take revenge on Moscow by naming NATO’s military exercises after a fascist armed group? No one can tell that this was not meant to be a deliberate provocation. Germany, along with ten other NATO countries, is also participating in the manoeuvres, which apparently serve to deter Russia in the region.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia and on Russophobia. NATO does not provoke Russia with its military exercises in the Baltic states. NATO's presence in the region is at the request of the host nations and enjoys significant public support. A 2016 Gallup poll found that most people in Allied countries in the Baltic region associate NATO with the protection of their country. NATO forces uphold the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. Moreover, NATO seeks no confrontation with Russia. NATO is a defensive alliance. Its purpose is to protect the member states. NATO's exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. NATO has reached out to Russia consistently, transparently and publicly over the past 29 years. NATO enlargement has brought more stability and prosperity to Europe, including Russia. The name of the exercises, "Iron Wolf", has nothing to do with Nazi or Fascist ideology. The Iron Wolf is a mythical character from a medieval legend of the founding of the city of Vilnius. This name is held by one of the most important units of the Lithuanian Army - Mechanised Infantry Brigade “Iron Wolf”. Read more disinformation cases alleging that NATO invents a “Russian threat” to expand its presence near Russia and that NATO jet intentionally provoked Russian jets over the Baltic sea.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 173
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13/11/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Lithuania, Russia
  • Keywords: International, Military exercise, Lithuanian military, Anti-Russian, Provocation, NATO, Russophobia, Nazi/Fascist
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Disinfo: US wants to provoke new religious wars in the world

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Disproof

A conspiracy theory presented without any evidence and a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western attempts to instigate colour revolutions and wars in the world. See here for the most common pro-Kremlin narratives. USAID announced in September new financial assistance to support ethnic and religious minorities displaced by the genocide perpetrated by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Beneficiaries will include displaced people who are living in camps and non-camp locations in Northern Iraq, as well as disadvantaged members of host communities. The activity will fund two stationary clinics and one mobile medical team. There is no evidence to support the claim that humanitarian aid will be followed by military support. See similar cases on how Washington uses religious sects for destructive purposes, attacks Eastern Orthodox Churches to create instability in Europe and plays the “religion card” against societies.

Disinfo: Washington stages coups attempts against leftist leaders of Latin America

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Disproof

Conspiracy theory. No evidence is provided to support the claim. This is part of a recurrent disinformation narrative about US-led regime change operations against left wing governments in Latin America. You can see other examples of this, such as the alleged presence of a US marine in the Venezuelan barricades and the promotion of a Ukraine-style 'colour revolution', the training of Venezuelan exiles in Guyana for military operations inside the country, preparations for a military intervention after forcing Brazil to join NATO, deliberate blackouts in South America caused by the US, or the existence of plans for the secession of oil-rich regions in both Venezuela and Mexico. Also falls within the broader pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attempting to deny the existence of genuine grass-root protests, portraying them as foreign-led efforts and fake colour revolutions. Read the statement by the EU High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini on the situation in Bolivia here

Disinfo: US Intelligence co-opted Bolivian security services

President Morales stood no chance of surviving the crisis from the get-go since US intelligence had already co-opted his security services, which likely passed on information about his officials’ families to the right-wing mobs and thus facilitated their de-facto hostage-taking as a form a blackmail against their civil servant relative.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory. No evidence is provided to support the claim. This is part of a recurrent disinformation narrative about US-led regime change operations against left wing governments in Latin America. You can see other examples of this, such as the alleged presence of a US marine in the Venezuelan barricades and the promotion of a Ukraine-style 'colour revolution', the training of Venezuelan exiles in Guyana for military operations inside the country, preparations for a military intervention after forcing Brazil to join NATO, deliberate blackouts in South America caused by the US, or the existence of plans for the secession of oil-rich regions in both Venezuela and Mexico. Also falls within the broader pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attempting to deny the existence of genuine grass-root protests, portraying them as foreign-led efforts and fake colour revolutions. Read the statement by the EU High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini on the situation in Bolivia here