Disinfo: The West tries to complicate the process of the Russian vaccine entering the international market

Summary

While mass vaccination is underway in Russia, the West is still trying to find a way to complicate the process of the Russian vaccine entering the international market. The very fact of the distribution of Sputnik V and our other vaccines means an increase in the credibility and reputation of Russia in the international arena, they do not want this. Europe is facing a large vaccine shortage, and in this situation, Sputnik V could help defeat the pandemic in Europe.

Disproof

This is a recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative that exploits the coronavirus pandemic claiming that there is a Russophobic campaign against Sputnik V.

Contrary to the claim, previous criticism and mistrust of the Sputnik V vaccine were not due to any alleged Russophobia but to the publication of incomplete or questionable data about it, surrounded by a disinformation campaign about this and other vaccines.

Reservations and criticism of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine stem from the fact that Russia did not complete large trials to test the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before releasing it. Rolling out an inadequately vetted vaccine could endanger people who receive it.

On February 2, 2021, interim results from a phase 3 trial of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine were finally published in The Lancet. The trial results show a consistent strong protective effect across all participant age groups, meaning that the Sputnik V vaccine candidate appears safe and effective. This is what led to a general change in the approach towards Sputnik V. All vaccines, authorised by the European Medicines Agency are welcome in the EU. As of the 17 February 2021, the producer of the Sputnik V vaccine has not submitted a market authorisation to the European Medicines Agency.

See other examples of these pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Western attacks on the Russian coronavirus vaccine are a corporate cold war against humanity or "Russian progress in COVID-19 vaccine has become for the West an outrageous challenge, that Sputnik V is a target of the corporate cold war; that the West wants to discredit the Sputnik V; that the WHO and Microsoft sabotaged the Russian vaccine, that the West criticises the Sputnik V because it can’t accept Russia’s primacy and because its pharmaceutical companies will lose billions of dollars.

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  • Reported in: Issue 232
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21/02/2021
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Russia
  • Keywords: Sputnik V, coronavirus, vaccination, Anti-Russian
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Disinfo: Crimea became a part of Russia after a 2014 referendum

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement about the alleged “annexation” of Crimea. However, Crimea became a Russian region after a 2014 referendum, in which over 95 % of voters (from both Crimea and Sevastopol) voted in favour of its reunification with the Russian Federation. The referendum took place after a coup in Ukraine in February 2014.

The citizens of Crimea made this decision in a free referendum which was organised in order with the UN Charter and took place with the supervision of a big number of foreign observers. The Crimean question is solved.

Feb 20, 2021
Disproof

Crimea is not a part of the Russian Federation. This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming the illegal annexation of Crimea was a 'result of a legal referendum'.

Crimea is a part of Ukraine and the Russian Federation has recognised this fact in several actions incl. by signing the 1997 Friendship Treaty with Ukraine.

Disinfo: The ECHR states that there were no political motivations in the 2014 Yves Rocher fraud case against Alexei Navalny

According to the European Court of Human Rights there were no political motivations in the 2014 Yves Rocher fraud case against Alexei Navalny.

Feb 20, 2021
Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative stating that the Kremlin's political opponents are criminals and should be arrested in Russia or abroad. The article is part of the ongoing disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. One of the messages spread by this campaign, is that the 2014 Yves Rocher fraud case against Navalny was fully legitimate and did not pursue any pro-Kremlin political objectives. This case clearly misrepresents the ECHR's judgement.

In February 2014, Alexei Navalny was placed under house arrest while being investigated, along with his brother, for alleged fraud and money laundering in relation to two companies, Multidisciplinary Processing Ltd (MPK) and Yves Rocher Vostok Ltd. (a subsidiary of the French cosmetics company). Prior to the sentencing the YvesRocher company admitted it has suffered “no damage”

Disinfo: The establishment of a external control by the West was the real goal of the 2014 revolution in Ukraine

External control over Ukraine is an obvious fact. The establishment of external control was the real goal of the 2014 revolution. Today’s Ukraine can only exist under the external control of the West.

External control over Ukraine is an obvious fact and cannot be hidden by closing TV channels and sanctions against Medvedchuk and his wife, which looks particularly low – in line with those who rule in Kyiv today. First, the establishment of external control was the real goal of the 2014 revolution. Second, Poroshenko put Biden at the head of the table and recognised him as the true ruler of Ukraine. Third, Zelenskyi can only manage his own comedy district, but here he cannot manage without external control. Moreover, Ukraine can only exist under external control of the West. They call it “independence”.

Feb 20, 2021
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives. No evidence is given to back up the claim that Ukraine is under external control. Several previous disinformation cases on Ukraine being under foreign control can be found in our database.

Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. Ukraine is not controlled by any foreign government or organisation. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world, including the EU.