Disinfo: Plans to close biolabs in Ukraine made US start supporting Euromaidan

Summary

The coronavirus pandemic and the rumours of its artificial origins have activated the discussion on US biolabs, located around Russian borders. Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and, of course, Ukraine are covered by a network of laboratories, funded by Pentagon money. Attempts to rid oneself of these disputable institutions might even lead to an overturn of the powers in a country. […] The laboratories was one of the factors that drove the Americans to actively work for a regime change in Ukraine.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative alleging that the 2013-14 Ukrainian revolution was caused by external factors mixed with a narrative about American biological laboratories in Ukraine. The U.S. did not initiate the 2013-14 Ukrainian revolution. The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan", or "Euromaidan" – were a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with former President Yanukovych's last-minute U-turn when, after seven years of negotiation, he refused to sign the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement and halted progress towards Ukraine's closer relationship with the EU as a result of Russian pressure. Furthermore, there are no U.S. laboratories in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government is a member of the U.S. Department of Defence’s Biological Threat Reduction Programme that works on a number of programmes to consolidate and secure pathogens and toxins of security concern in Ukrainian government facilities while allowing for peaceful research and vaccine development. "We also work with our Ukrainian partners to ensure Ukraine can detect and report outbreaks caused by dangerous pathogens before they pose security or stability threats", the U.S. Embassy stated. Ukraine together with the European Union, the United States, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan is also a member of the Science and Technology Centre in Ukraine that seeks to advance global peace and prosperity through cooperative Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) risk mitigation. See similar claims alleging that the US laboratories in Ukraine are deadly, claims linking the current COVID-19 epidemic and US biolaboratories in Ukraine and that the US is building its laboratories in other countries to avoid the leakage of infectious substances on its territory.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 195
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/04/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Biological weapons, Euromaidan, Coup
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Disinfo: Secret American bio-labs in Ukraine

A scandal erupted in Ukraine at the peek of the Coronavirus epidemic in Europe, over the activities of Secret American labs working on dangerous human diseases.

In countries like Ukraine or Georgia, it is easy for Americans to find volunteers to do human tests.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative concerning the coronavirus pandemic and the Tbilisi-based Lugar Lab.

The story fits the broader set of conspiracy theories on the supposed man-made origins of various infectious diseases. There is no evidence that SARS, MERS, or avian influenzas were created in laboratories.

Disinfo: Freemasons began secretly chipping Ukrainians

The process of ‘chipisation’ (inserting microchips under the skin) of the population has started in Ukraine. Ukrainians will be ‘chipped’ by the American organisation Rotary International, associated with the Freemasons.

Disproof

Another conspiracy theory about immunisation and vaccination of humanity. Hinting at the existence of secret societies of freemasons ruling the world from behind the curtains is a frequent method used by pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets, to sow distrust in national authorities and state bodies. Information about the 'chipping' of Ukrainians appeared on a personal page on the social network of a Ukrainian dentist. In his post, he ironically writes for fans of conspiracy theory, writing a clearly comic post about 'biochipisation' of the population. This sarcastic post was picked up and reported in all seriousness by some journalists. Rotary International was founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris. Rotary is a network of more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide in more than 34.000 clubs. In Ukraine, there are more than 40 clubs spread over the country. Rotary is a worldwide organisation that brings together business and private people who want to make a change to save the world, to build business and friendship relations in its country and across borders, meeting leaders from worldwide societies with success in life and Rotary. In Ukraine, the Rotary Club implements several charity projects aimed at improving the quality of life of Ukrainians. The club has nothing to do with the Freemasons.

Disinfo: EU is not democratic and is led by Germany

It is a very dangerous misconception to see the EU as a democratic institution. It is not one at all. It cannot even be one. It is, in fact, nothing else than a club lead by Germany. It is only useful to enforce interests, nothing else. The ideological coat of paint is simply power politics, and as EU leaders are getting angrier and angrier because things are not going the way they want them to, they are paying less and less attention to formalities. They used to ask nicely at first, then they shouted in personal meetings, then they cried foul openly. We got to the point where they want to take away all the benefits of EU membership from Central European states and strengthen all its disadvantages.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and its dictate over the EU members. No evidence is presented about how the EU wants to take away the benefits of EU membership or strengthen its disadvantages. There is no proof either that Germany is leading it. Germany, while its opinion is influential in EU debate, cannot alone form a blocking majority in the Council of the European Union and German MEPs also cannot block or amend legislation in the EP without support from other delegations. Central European countries are themselves involved in EU decision-making in European institutions. The EU is a democratic Union of 27 Member States. The unique feature of the EU is that, although the Member States remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. The decision-making structure in the EU is defined by the EU treaties. Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ensures the principle of subsidiarity, which guarantees that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Learn more here. See similar cases claiming that the EU is a neocolonial project, that the EU elections are a sham democratic “hullabaloo” for an undemocratic and exclusive EU, that EU is aggressive, and the EU continues the aggressive policies of Nazi Germany or a big number of European countries are under a new form of colonialism.