Disinfo: The US and Poland plan to establish Poland's control over its historical lands in Ukraine

Summary

Washington and Warsaw are working on plans to establish Poland's control over its "historical possessions" in Ukraine.

Disproof

Recurring narrative presenting Poland as a state which has imperial ambitions. This is part of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about denying statehood and the disintegration of Ukraine. This narrative exploits difficult issues in Polish-Ukrainian history, without any factual basis. Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders and has no territorial claims upon Ukraine.

Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No neighbouring state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Instead, Poland is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland; it is allowing millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war access to the labour market and to health and social benefits. Moreover Poland is also activly supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Poles are stoking nationalist sentiment in Ukraine in order to annex Lviv, that Poland thinks that Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and South-Western Lithuania belong to them, that Poland wants to dismember Ukraine and re-establish a Polish empire, that Ukraine will disintegrate and fall prey to territorial claims of EU member states, that Ukraine is a Western colony belonging to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Russia.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 281
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/04/2022
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Poland, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Territorial dispute, Ukrainian disintegration, Imperialism/colonialism, War in Ukraine, Invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood
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Disinfo: The Russian army has nothing to do with the provocation in Bucha

There was a serious breakthrough at the talks between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, but then Russia faced a provocation in Bucha. The Russian army has nothing to do with the events in Bucha, Moscow knows who is behind this provocation.

Disproof

This is a disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media denying the involvement of Russian troops in a massacre in the town of Bucha near Kyiv.

The material and links may contain distressing/graphic content.

Disinfo: Moscow called for peaceful coexistence, but Russia is depicted as a global threat

The media points to Russia, depicting it as a global threat, but it has been Russia who proposed those strategic security treaties and has talked of peaceful coexistence, even if having NATO at its gates.

Disproof

This is a mix of several false claims, aiming to deflect Russia’s responsibility for the unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The message is also part of a recurrent narrative about NATO expansionism and encircling Russia, which have been debunked multiple times (see here, here and here).

Russia’s supposed proposals of “strategic security treaties” and “peaceful coexistence” were considered by the West as unacceptable demands that denied the sovereignty of the countries that Moscow deemed as its “sphere of influence”. However, both the US and the European Union were open to continue discussing Russia’s concerns and maintaining a dialogue on ways to strengthen the security of all. Instead, Russia opted for invading a peaceful neighbouring country.

Disinfo: Ukraine fired at the largest ammunition depot in Transnistria

A gunfire from the territory of Ukraine targeted arms depots near the republic of Transnistria’s village of Kolbasna.

In the morning of April 27 at 8:45 a.m. [local time] gun shots were delivered from the Ukrainian side in the direction of the residential area of Kolbasna.

Last night, several drones were detected in the sky over the village above the territory of Transnistria launched from Ukraine.

Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation message about Ukraine allegedly attacking Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria. No evidence given to support the claim.

The so-called "authorities" in Transnistria reported a series of explosions on the regional capital of Tiraspol on Monday, when officials said offices housing the state security ministry were attacked with a grenade launcher, and several more explosions were reported on Tuesday.