Disinfo: Russian hybrid warfare does not exist, it is a concept created by NATO and by the West

Summary

Russian hybrid warfare does not exist, it is a concept created by NATO and by the West to scare their fellow citizens, to shift attention away from numerous internal problems of the West and to label every Russian activity. 

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO and the West.

This narrative fits into the broader disinformation theme about the West’s allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia, and about its alleged plans to destabilise and encircle Russia.

The tactics used by the Kremlin in Ukraine are a clear example of ‘hybrid warfare’ tools. Except for using the most recent technology, Russian hybrid warfare shows considerable continuity with both the goals and tactics that the Soviet intelligence services used during the Cold War and that Russia deployed in military interventions from 1991 onwards in Moldova and Georgia.

Russia has used conventional military means against Ukraine, but it has added a few twists to further frustrate and exhaust its victim. Russian troops, who even during the most sweeping phases of military operations against Ukraine in 2014-2015 were dressed in Russian military green uniforms without insignia and chevrons, were labelled “green men.” But there was no official declaration of war or even an admission by the Russian government that it had sent soldiers to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that his country’s troops had occupied Crimea only after the special operation was over.

Russia has also deployed hybrid Russian forces around the world for different operations. Russian hackers have set new standards in cyber warfare, targeting everything from political parties to essential infrastructure. Furthermore, Moscow has given support to political extremists and separatist movements throughout the EU and beyond, aided and assisted by a vast Kremlin-backed disinformation machine.

Read here for the evolution of Russian Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine.

Read similar cases claiming that accusations about Russian-sponsored hacker attacks aim to discredit Sputnik V, that Brussels uses Russophobia as a uniting idea to prevent the EU's collapse, that Russia is not and will never be implicated in cybercrimes, or that Russian secret services have never been involved in cyber-attacks.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 267
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24/11/2021
  • Article language(s) Spanish, English, Italian, French
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Hybrid war, West, NATO, Crimea, Encircling Russia
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Disinfo: Poland is getting ready to annex Western Belarus

Poland uses the excuse of combating irregular migration as a cover up for a huge regrouping of troops and the creation of an assault group at the border with Belarus. It seems that Warsaw is planning to solve a number of its political problems with a small victorious war. Poland is getting ready to get the territories which Joseph Stalin took away in 1939. The idea is very simple: three military groups need to crush Belarusian troops by Hrodna and Brest and reach the 1939 borderline.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy theory, which is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about Polish plans to re-establish its empire at the expense of its Eastern neighbours.

Poland has increased its troop numbers to ca. 15.000 on its Eastern borders with Belarus due to security and migration challenges. However, claims about preparation for a military attack against Belarus and annexation of its territories are groundless and lacks any basic military sense. Poland respects the territorial integrity of its neighbouring states and is not getting ready for a military attack against Belarus.

Disinfo: Messages about Russian aggression against Ukraine are propaganda

Does anyone really believe that Russia is attacking Ukraine? These messages are shared already eight years but it was quite clear that it is propaganda. The purpose of this propaganda was the Atlantisation of Ukraine and the restrictions of relations between Russia and the EU.

Disproof

The message denies Russia's role in the war in Ukraine and presents concerns about Moscow's aggressive behaviour toward neighbours as propaganda.

The war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014.

Disinfo: Migrants on Polish border were able to enter Belarus thanks to the visa-free regime

The ongoing, well-organised influx into Belarus of migrants from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, and other countries in the region was made possible thanks to the visa-free agreement between Minsk and the above-mentioned states.

Disproof

The claim advances a disinformation narrative regarding the migration situation on the EU-Belarus border.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry explicitly states that none of the states mentioned in the claim have a visa-free agreement with Belarus. Moreover, many migrants have been issued tourist visas upon arrival at Minsk airport.