DISINFO: The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is a cover-up operation, just as the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was

This is a conspiracy theory claiming that the recent escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the result of deliberate Western actions aimed at harming Russian interests in Belarus. It therefore corresponds to recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the belligerent and hostile US and West against Russia and fits well into the disinformation narrative that presents virtually all protests, civil uprisings or local conflicts as a consequence of the West's intentional actions. The recent escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a continuation of the decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is reported that nearly 100 people, including civilians, have died as of 29 September 2020. On 27 September, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell made a statement calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, de-escalation and for strict observance of the ceasefire. As we explained in our past analysis, the image of a belligerent West which allegedly provokes protests and local conflicts in Russia's vicinity manufactures a fictional adversary that provides convenient cover for Moscow to justify its illicit activities on the grounds of “defence” and self-preservation. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide uprising against the Hungarian People's Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies. The allegations that either the Hungarian events in 1956 or the recent escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were instigated by the West to divert the USSR and Russia from other foreign policy issues are groundless. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict favours US interests, someone wants to divert Russia from Belarus and Syria, that the escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan is directed against Russia, and that the US is ready to carry out a false flag operation in Alaska to blame Russia.