Disinfo: Sevastopol and Crimea have always belonged and will always belong to Russia

Summary

Sevastopol and Crimea have always belonged and will always belong to Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about Crimea. Crimea is part of Ukraine. Russia violated international law as well as key principles of the European security framework in illegally annexing the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order. This position is based on the UN Charter, which clearly states that the territory of a State cannot be acquired by another State resulting from the threat or use of force, as well as on the Helsinki Final Act in which the signatories declared their intention to respect the inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity. UNGA Resolution 68/262, which condemned Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine, was supported by 100 United Nations member states. Only 10 states opposed it.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 129
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/12/2018
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Crimea
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Disinfo: Britain is deciding to be involved in preparation for war with Russia in Ukraine

There is a British-backed war in Ukraine. By sending war-ships Britain is deciding to be involved in perhaps preparation for war with Russia in Ukraine.

Disproof

The disinformation message was framed as a leading question at the the beginning of the interview: "why do you think Britain is deciding to be involved in perhaps preparation for war with Russia [...]"? . Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about war in Ukraine and Western aggression. Britain is not preparing for war with Russia but demonstrating support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. On November 21st, 2018, the Defence Secretary of the UK announced that HMS Echo would deploy to the Black Sea in 2019 to demonstrate the UK’s support to ensuring freedom of navigation in the region.

Disinfo: There was a NATO-backed coup in Ukraine

There was a NATO-backed coup in Ukraine.

Disproof

The disinformation message was framed as a leading question during an interview: "Is Russia playing this as badly as they did when there was a NATO-backed coup?" It reinforces pro-Kremlin narrative about Euromaidan.

For background: There was no coup in Ukraine four years ago. The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan", or "Euromaidan" – were not provoked from outside but 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. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence http://bit.ly/2ftv6iT.

Disinfo: Ukraine is using drones with improvised chemical balls that create Napalm on impact

Ukraine is increasing its usage of drones for combat, attaching grenades, mortars and even little chemical balls. On impact the chemicals combine and it creates something like Napalm.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about supposed chemical provocations in Donbas. The author claims that about 10 days ago (counting from the 5th of December, 2018) an improvised fire-ball was dropped from Ukrainian drone on a house in a suburb of Donetsk. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has not reported use of chemical agents or drones in any of its recent reports (20 November, 2018 - 5 December, 2018).