Disinfo: There is a conspiracy ripening against Russian vaccine

Summary

There is a conspiracy ripening against the Russian vaccine. There is an ancient bad feeling called envy. And now the West is being envious of Russia because Russia was the first to create the vaccine.

Disproof

This is part of a Russian disinformation campaign accusing international bodies and Western institutions of having a hidden agenda. This assumption is based on the fact that the announcement of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V was met with scepticism and criticism, even by some Russian specialists.

There is no conspiracy behind the widespread reservations about the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. The doubts are caused by the fact that Russia didn’t complete the large trials which WHO insists that a vaccine must undergo involving thorough testing to examine the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before it is released. Rolling out an inadequately vetted vaccine could endanger the people receiving it. In fact, there is evidence that Russia has at all times perceived the development of a coronavirus vaccine mainly in terms of geopolitical and economic gain.

Researchers are currently testing 58 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, and 15 have reached the final stages of testing. At least 85 preclinical vaccines are under active investigation in animals.

See other examples in our database, such as claims that the UK launched a smear campaign against it; that the WHO and Microsoft sabotaged the Russian vaccine; that Europe is turning to Russia due to its desperate need for a vaccine; or 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, and "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".

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publication/media

vz.ru (Archived)
Imperiya News (Archived)
newsland.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 224
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/12/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia
  • Keywords: Sputnik V, coronavirus, vaccination, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: Lithuania constantly interferes in the affairs of Belarus

Lithuania constantly interferes into the affairs of Belarus, supporting the opposition and calling for new elections in the neighbouring country. Lithuanian politicians think that the results of the presidential elections in Belarus were “falsified”. The Baltic countries implement personal sanctions against some Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Moscow has urged Lithuania many times not to destabilise the situation in the neighbouring country and allow people in Belarus to take matters in their own hands.

The Belarusian authorities have said many times that protests in the country are coordinated from abroad. Lukashenko accuses Western countries of direct interference in the situation in the republic. The US is the main coordinator and Europeans are supporters of the riots in Belarus.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Lithuania and alleged Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus.

Lithuania is a neighbour of Belarus and it continues to support the Belarusian people. This support has included the possibility for Belarusians to arrive in Lithuania under the so-called humanitarian exception, the possibility for students from Belarus to begin studies in Lithuania etc.

Disinfo: NATO and the US organise constant provocations near Russian borders

NATO’s Secretary General is trying to substantiate NATO’s actions in the region with fabricated pretexts. Recently, the number of aggressive actions by the alliance near the Russian border has significantly increased. It is obvious that NATO’s actions are creating tension in the region. For example, military exercises in Romania and Georgia, or a strong desire to establish a base in Georgia. as well as the constant provocations organised by NATO and the United States.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia and on Russophobia.

Every nation has the right to conduct military exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations.

Disinfo: Elections in Venezuela were free and fair

The United States and the European Union have once again rushed to denounce the legitimacy of the electoral process several weeks before the polls opened. These allegations could, of course, be very easily confirmed or refuted by sending international observers. But once again, the most powerful countries in the West rejected Maduro’s request to send independent experts. In particular, Brussels set a condition for the delay of the election process, which would be in violation of the Venezuelan constitution which stipulates that elections must be held by the end of the year in order to replace the members of the National Assembly.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin media report in support of Venezuela and of the authoritarian Maduro regime. It also aims to discredit international and European criticism to the electoral process and accuse the West and more specifically, the EU, of interference in the country's domestic affairs.

The EU warned the Venezuelan authorities early on about the need to create proper conditions for fair and free elections to be held. The HR/VP of the European Commission Josep Borrell had tried to achieve a consensus between the Maduro regime and the opposition led by Juan Guaido on minimum requirements for elections to be held. These efforts took place as early as last September.