Disinfo: There was a coup d’état in Kyiv in February 2014

Summary

Reacting to the coup d’état in Kyiv in February 2014, the authorities of Crimea and Sevastopol declared the peninsula independent.

Disproof

There was no coup d’état in Kyiv in 2014, this is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Euromaidan and the Crimea Referendum. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. See the full debunk here. No international body recognises the so-called referendum held on the 16 March 2014. On the 27 March 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. 5 years on, the EU re-affirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

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RT Germany (old) (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 152
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/05/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood, Euromaidan, Coup
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Disinfo: Ukraine is under the external control of the US

Ukraine need to play along with the Americans. They must do everything the United States like because it is they who introduced external control, which Mr. Zelenskyy is not ready to fight.

May 26, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the EU and US relations with Ukraine. Ukraine is a sovereign state. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The USA recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25th December 1991. U.S. policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Disinfo: "Big brothers" in Europe and beyond knocked down the Austrian Chancellor with a "Russian card"

It is dangerous to run for leadership positions in the EU. Those who dared to show ambition were sent to knock-out with a “Russian card”. Just before the European Elections Austrian Chancellor is facing a no-confidence vote because of the scandalous video involving the vice-chancellor. […] A scandalous video was not an accident, it was released simultaneously by two German newspapers, the source of the video is not disclosed, the face of a blond woman is blurred out. Strange coincidence – half a year ago Austria media reported that a large Russian spy network is allegedly working in Vienna. The source: German intelligence, who later said they received the information from the Brits. […] The Austrian government resigned, experts are installed instead of ministers, and Kurz was shown he made a wrong bet. Austria with Kurz was the odd one out: supported the Nord Stream II, hosted Russian politicians at the highest level, offered itself as a ground for talks between Europe and Russia, and did not oust Russian diplomats. Kurz obviously wanted to play a unique role in Europe, and that was unacceptable for big brothers – not only in Europe.

May 26, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russophobia and deep state. There is no evidence of Strache-campaign being part of an international master-plan against Austria or its chancellor. Both German magazine Der Spiegel and newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung have been open about their investigation. According to the media outlets, they obtained the video footage in May 2019 and published it after verifying its authenticity. The media has not disclosed who provided the video in order to protect their sources. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about the source of the video, without giving any evidence to back their claims.

Disinfo: Poroshenko instigated the provocation in Kerch Strait to extend his power

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s ex-president and the author of the provocation in the Kerch Strait, used the conflict to impose martial law in the country and extend his powers.

May 25, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea. On November 25, border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However, a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004 governs the use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov. The agreement states this stretch to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine.