Disinfo: Sweden tells municipalities to prepare for war

Summary

Sweden tells municipalities to prepare for war and 150 troops were put on permanent service on the island of Gotland, not far from Russian territory.

Disproof

Although it is true that a Swedish state agency has informed the municipalities about their responsibilities in rebuilding the civil defence in Sweden, this is aimed at increasing the ability of the society to deal with destabilization in the form of antagonistic actions in peacetime (such as political, psychological, economic and military influence operations), to increase the ability to identify and counter intelligence operations, cyber attacks and information operations against the country, as well as increase the ability to resist an armed attack on Sweden from qualified opponents. The Swedish Civil Contingency Agency describes its mission here. Gotland is part of Sweden's sovereign territory and has had Swedish military presence since 1645 as it is of strategic geographical importance. As Russia and Sweden are neighboring countries, naturally it is not far from Russian territory.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 52
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/12/2016
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Sweden, Russia
  • Keywords: War preparation
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Disinfo: Tales of 250,000 trapped Aleppo civilians are just a Russophobia...

Tales of 250,000 trapped Aleppo civilians are just a Russophobia chatter.

Disproof

According to the UN, the number 250,0000 was the accurate number for September. The article above does not say who is claiming that number, but the UN and other international organisations agree that many thousands civilians remain unprotected in Aleppo and about 700 000 people remain in 15 besieged areas beyond east Aleppo . The assessment of the number of people trapped in Aleppo has nothing to do with how anyone feels about Russia or Russians. It is worth noting that the Russian MFA's use of the word Russophobia soared massively since 2014 when the international community criticised Russia for their illegal actions in Ukraine, whereas it was barely used before that.

Disinfo: The West has not responded to Russia's call to provide humanitarian help to civilians in Aleppo

Russia has several times urged Western states and international organisations to provide humanitarian aid to civilians from Aleppo, but has received no reply.

Disproof

The EU is the leading donor in the international response to the Syrian crisis, with over €8.9 billion from the EU and Member States collectively allocated in humanitarian, stabilisation and development assistance since the start of the conflict . Furthermore, Russia has twice vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions, in October and December, that demanded an immediate end to air strikes and military flights over Syria's Aleppo city and called for a truce and humanitarian aid access throughout Syria

Disinfo: Accusations by Western countries claiming that Moscow is hindering humanitarian aid to Syria are untrue

Accusations by Western countries claiming that Moscow is hindering the deliveries of humanitarian aid to Syria are untrue.

Disproof

Russia has twice vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions, in October and December, that demanded an immediate end to air strikes and military flights over Syria's Aleppo city and called for a truce and humanitarian aid access throughout Syria . The EU through Federica Mogherini is working with the UN to call on the Russian and Syrian authorities to protect civilians so that the UN can complete the delivery of humanitarian aid. On December 19, the UNSC (including Russia) passed a resolution sending observers to Aleppo.