Disinfo: The West needs Belarus as a springboard to attack Russia

Summary

External forces will try to synchronise the protests in Belarus and the Russian Federation in order to disrupt integration projects. The protests in Russia and Belarus are interconnected. The coordinators of protests in the republic, located in the West, need Belarus as a springboard for an attack on the Russian Federation.

Disproof

This article promotes recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the West's attempt to organise a colour revolution in Belarus and Russia and to disrupt Belarus-Russia relations.

There is no evidence of any Western governments being involved in any way in the protests in Belarus. Large-scale protests began in Minsk on August 9 against the results of the presidential election, and then in other cities. People revolted against election fraud and police violence towards thousands of rally participants. According to statistical data and independent observers, the official result of the presidential election was itself heavily doctored. A joint monitoring effort by three NGOs demonstrates the scale of falsification based on election protocols from 1,310 polling stations across Belarus and concludes that the announced result (80% of votes cast for Lukashenka) is mathematically "impossible" (p. 7).

The protests in Belarus have continued for more than 6 months and were triggered by mass popular dissatisfaction with the political, social and economic implications of the Lukashanko regime.

See earlier similar disinformation cases alleging that Poland and Lithuania are destabilising Belarus to turn it into a Russophobic limitrophe, that the West destabilises Belarus to destroy Russian civilisation, that American 'Deep State' will continue a hybrid war against Russia through Joe Biden, that Belarus is a military range for the upcoming US’s interference into Russian affairs, that the West is behind the protests in Belarus, and that the US wants to convert Belarus into a zone of instability and make it an anti-Russian puppet.

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  • Reported in: Issue 231
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/02/2021
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Belarus, Russia
  • Keywords: Union State of Belarus and Russia, Protest, Alexander Lukashenko
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Disinfo: British children are deprived of “breast milk” and “mothers”

British newborns are actually deprived of “breast milk” and “mothers”. In order not to offend “gender-neutral” patients, hospitals in Brighton and Sussex have introduced new terminology.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the moral decay of Europe and propaganda of the morally corrupt West, and an over-interpretation of an instruction on inclusive language from the university hospitals of Brighton and Sussex. The instruction contains details on how to address non-binary and transgender people giving birth. The authors emphasise the necessity of an individual approach. The first point in the instructions to midwife is:

Treat people as individuals and uphold their dignity.

The instruction continues:

If we only use gender neutral language, we risk marginalising or erasing the experience of some of the women and people who use our services. We understand the fear of erasure, however marginalising other groups because they are rare will not improve care for women. We believe in human rights-based care and we can add inclusive language to our current language without subtracting anyone.

Disinfo: The demo with torchlights will give 146 percent support for Navalny

The plans of [Navalny’s associate] Leonid Volkov, who has suggested to use torchlights on 14 February all over the country, have been disclosed. Nothing needs to be done, all is already drawn and ready. The videos are already prepared.

Why does Volkov suggest a demonstration with torchlights outside the houses? Because they are easy to manipulate with computer graphics. They doctored the film with the “palace”. Imagine what they can do here. There will be 146 percent of support.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

An attempt to belittle the demonstrations and, in advance, create a narrative about its insignificance. Similar attempts are described here.

The number "146 percent" relates to a meme in Russia, where the turnup in the parliamentary elections in some regions amounted to 146 percent.

Disinfo: Russia is prepared for any kind of mess the West will come up with

Do you expect some kind of mess? The mess is already here.

The sanctions would be there, no matter what we do. We can do nothing, we can act, there will be sanctions against Russia anyway. The Democrats in the US seems to have outlined a strategy on relations with Russia for the upcoming six months. It will likely contain new concepts of economic restrictions against our country.

They will come up with something; remembering the anniversary of the Crimeas reunification with Russia might be the pretext. They do not need any reason. We must not forget that there this year will be presidental elections in Syria. The US introduced the Caesar Act and this will likely mean sanctions. All is very predictable and accounted for. Our authorities are confident.

Feb 10, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Western sanctions imposed on Russia trying to imply that the sanctions are groundless and used to suppress Russia.

EU sanctions and other restrictive measures were first applied (opens in a new tab)in 2014 following the Russian illegal annexation of Crimea. Since then, the list has been updated(opens in a new tab). The United States also imposed(opens in a new tab) sanctions on Russia after the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in 2014.