Disinfo: The crowds protesting in Belarus are computer generated imagery

Summary

Look at this photo: it’s like an ocean of people. But look at the distances between people in the first row! It is impossible that there can be such distances in a crowd like that. It is impossible! There should be no space at all, first, second, third row should be full. But they’re not as you can see. It is a clearly an example of computer graphics.

Disproof

An unfounded claim to suggest the absence of popular support for the protests in Belarus.

The filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov certainly demonstrates an allegedly doctored picture, but Russian journalists have documented that the original broadcast did not contain the picture, demonstrated on Mikhalkov's show.

Below, to the left, the picture demonstrated on Mikhalkov's TV show can be seen; to the right - the original picture.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 212
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 12/09/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Belarus
  • Keywords: Protest
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Disinfo: The Navalny case is only an excuse for Germany to abandon Nord Stream 2

The strong pressure that the United States continues to exert against Germany may lead the Germans to abandon the completion of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. Although Berlin is resisting, its ability to resist is not equivalent to that of American pressure. Moreover, some European Union countries have openly sided with the United States. Germany could have responded effectively to the increased sanctions war if it had been truly supported by the rest of Europe, but this did not happen, because in other countries they were very afraid that the Germans would gain strength after controlling the distribution of Russian gas. As a result, Berlin cannot resist the American assault. Nevertheless, it is important for Germany to save face [appear as if it withdrew from the case because of Navalny and not US pressure], and the Navalny scandal helps solve this problem.

Disproof

This is a pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory aimed at linking the case of Alexei Navalny with the Nord Stream 2 project to divert attention from Russia's responsibility for the incident. Such a claim was neither counterbalanced nor critically challenged in the article. There is no ground for connecting the Navalny case with the construction of Nord Stream 2. The prominent Russian opposition figure fell ill during a flight prompting the plane to make an emergency landing in Omsk, where doctors said he was in a coma and they were trying to save his life. Since then he has been transferred to Berlin and is receiving treatment at Berlin's Charite Hospital. The German federal government said that toxicological tests provided “unequivocal evidence of a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group” in the blood samples of Alexei Navalny. The European Union condemned the poisoning of Alexei Navalny in the strongest possible terms. Read similar disinformation messages alleging that Americans are recouping their long-term investment in Navalny, the West has an interest in the death of Navalny to launch a new wave of sanctions against Russia, that only traces of alcohol and caffeine were found in Navalny's blood, that the West will falsely accuse Russia of poisoning Navalny, as with Skripal and Litvinenko or that US used Navalny case to block Russian vaccine against COVID-19.

Disinfo: 9/11 was no terrorist attack, the US government is behind this tragedy

The results of the official investigation, which were fabricated, are just a small part of the “evidence” found in the “most credible” investigation of the 9/11 tragedy. But this is quite enough to understand by what methods the United States is moving towards its goals, having killed more than three thousand Americans.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory. Recurring disinformation narrative suggesting the US government's involvement in the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 conspiracy theories have been refuted several times including by the “9-11 Commission" created by the US legislators. Read previous disinformation cases suggesting the US involvement: the WTC7 building was blown up, the attacks were organised by the US, or private Saudi nationalists were likely behind the 9/11, with Israel as the chief beneficiary.

Disinfo: Merkel's ultimatum buries negotiations on Donbas

The ultimatum, which Berlin addressed to Moscow about the “poisoning” of opposition blogger Alexei Navalny, can be addressed to the Ukrainian leadership, but not to Russia. (It’s) doubtful that after this Putin is going to discuss with Merkel any issues related to the Normandy format. In general, the very idea of the Normandy format is under threat.

Disproof

The recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about Navalny poisoning and the Normandy format, the aim of the latter being to resolve the war in Donbas. There's no evidence that the position of Germany is going to impact the peace process on Donbas. Previously, Angela Merkel said there was "shocking information" that showed "beyond a doubt" that the poisoning of Alexei Navalny was "attempted murder with nerve agent" after a toxicology test in Germany showed that the opposition leader had been targeted with Novichok. The chancellor said the case raises "very serious questions that only the Russian government can answer — and must answer," adding, "the world will wait for an answer." In fact, the meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Normandy format (Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia) is planned for September, after the meeting of the advisors of the leaders of the countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is trying to compromise and undermine the Minsk agreements, that Ukraine claims that the Minsk agreements are just a piece of paper, that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements and continues the war in Donbas, and that Ukraine refuses to observe a truce in Donbas.