Disinfo: All throughout the post-war period the Soviet Union kept the world from complete disaster and complete wildness

Summary

All throughout the post-war period, the Soviet Union kept the world from complete disaster and complete wildness.

Disproof

This case represents a manipulation of historical facts to downplay and justify Russian aggression towards European countries. See similar cases here.

It is important to mention the The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, which was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. As the designer of the plan, George C. Marshall himself said: "Our policy is not directed against any country, but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos."

Central and Eastern Europe however fell under the Soviet sphere of influence and eventually behind an ‘iron-curtain’. As a result, at least 140 people lost their lives at the Berlin Wall in the Soviet Sector of East Berlin between 1961 and 1989. This lead to increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, including a 16 hour standoff involving US and Soviet tanks at Checkpoint Charlie in 1961.

The powers of Western Europe formed the European Coal and Steel Community, which later evolved into the European Economic Community and ultimately into the current European Union. This effort primarily began as an attempt to avoid another war between Germany and France by economic cooperation and integration, and a common market for important natural resources.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 165
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 12/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: USSR, Russia
  • Keywords: Central Europe, Eastern Europe, European Union, WWII, Maria Zakharova, Europe
see more

Disinfo: International terrorism is the result of a liberal world order

International terrorism is the result of a liberal world order.

Disproof

No evidence given. This message is a wide-spread conspiracy theory that the United States established many terrorist organizations and that it has full control over global terrorism. When, in 1988, Al-Qaeda emerged as a network made up of Islamic extremist, Salafist jihadists, it has been immediately designated as a terrorist group by the UN, the EU, the US, Russia and other countries. See similar cases here and here.

Disinfo: Russophobia is an integral part of the UK foreign policy

Throughout the history of modern Europe, the United Kingdom used the doctrine of Russophobia as an integral part of its foreign policy.

Disproof

No evidence provided. Russophobia is often used in pro-Kremlin disinformation as an explanation for anyone blaming Russia for anything. For background, read our analysis: The “Russophobia” Myth: Appealing to the Lowest Feelings. Read a chronology of key events in UK-Russia relations.

Disinfo: 9/11: The WTC7 building was blown up professionally

9/11: The WTC7 building was blown up professionally.

The study (…) does not focus on the collapse of the 400-metre-high twin towers WTC1 and WTC2, but on the case of the much lower WTC7, which was not rammed by an aircraft. Nevertheless, the 186-metre-high tower collapsed in just seven seconds. (…) The WTC7 building was most likely blown up professionally.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy theory, no evidence was presented. It relays a recurring narrative that suggests the US government's involvement in the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 conspiracy theories have been refuted several times including by the “9-11 Commission" conducted by the US legislators. The study quoted by Sputnik does not claim that 'the WTC7 building was blown up professionally'. See other examples of this narrative here, here and here.