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

Summary

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.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 164
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Serbian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: UK, Russia
  • Keywords: Russophobia
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Disinfo: The task of the JIT is not to conduct an objective investigation, but to blame Russia for the tragedy

The task of the JIT is not to conduct an objective investigation, but to blame Russia for the tragedy.

Here, once such a line has been chosen, they will fight to the last, proving that Russia is to blame. Otherwise, the question immediately becomes: why have there been sanctions, accusations, and insults for all these years? The bet is that time is running out, the tragedy will be forgotten and everything will end in nothing.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the downing of flight MH17.

A special team, known as the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), was established to conduct the criminal investigation. The JIT comprises officials from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service and the Dutch police, along with police and criminal justice authorities from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine.

Disinfo: US is behind Hong Kong protests

Johnson Yeung Ching-yin, one of the leaders of the Hong Kong protests, is a fellow of the US National Endowment of Democracy, NED. The supposed NGO he works for in turn works hand-in-hand with US and UK-based fronts involved in supporting Hong Kong’s current unrest and a much wider anti-Beijing political agenda. The direct ties and extreme conflicts of interest found under virtually every rock overturned when critically examining the leadership of Hong Kong’s ongoing unrest all lead to Washington. They also once again reveal the Western media as involved in a coordinated campaign of disinformation – where proper investigative journalism is purposefully side-stepped and narratives shamelessly spun instead to frame Hong Kong’s ongoing conflict in whatever light best suits US interests.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory presented without evidence. Pro-Kremlin media have long used the narrative about anti-government protests being funded by the US. Examples include colour revolutions in post-Soviet states, the “Arab Spring” revolts, and Ukraine's Euromaidan in 2014. Western non-governmental organisations are often targeted by pro-Kremlin disinformation as agents of this subversive and state-driven influence. The Hong Kong protests began in June 2019 because of a controversial extradition law that would allow for the transfer of suspects to face trial on the Chinese mainland. For similar cases, see here.

Disinfo: Ukraine had nothing to do with the prisoner exchange, it was organised by the West and Russia

There is a need to remind that Ukraine is far from being a sovereign state and there is no need to talk about the merits of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the exchange of prisoners. Ukraine is a node where the interests of Russia, the U.S., and the EU converge. And by taking into account the considerable influence of the last two on Ukrainian politics we can be sure that the exchange was coordinated by the Western “partners”.

The task was not to return the Ukrainian “heroes” who had been kept in the dungeons of the Kremlin. The real reason was to reduce the demonisation of Russia.

Disproof

This is a disinformation narrative delegitimising the sovereignty of the Ukrainian authorities and, in this case, their role in the latest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia that took place on 7 September 2019.

The exchange process was initiated by the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 7 August 2019.