Disinfo: UK denied access to the Skripals

Summary

The EU prolonged its sanctions against the persons linked to the Skripals’ poisoning. Theresa May claimed that the Novichok originated from Russia but Porton Down denied this claim. Russia has repeatedly proposed a joint investigation but Britain ignored this and denied access to the Skripals.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on the Skripals' poisoning. The statement contains two disinformation narratives out of the many pushed (see article on EUvsdisinfo here). Firstly, the Porton Down laboratory has not contradicted any statements by the former British Prime Minister, Theresa May. As can be seen from this previous case, British scientists at the Porton Down defence research laboratory were indeed unable to verify the precise source of the Novichok. However, they did not disprove the Russian source of it as claimed. In 2018, Gary Aitkenhead, the chief executive of the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), stated the following: "We were able to identify it as Novichok, to identify it was a military-grade nerve agent. We have not verified the precise source, but we have provided the scientific information to the government, who have then used a number of other sources to piece together the conclusions that they have come to.” Furthermore, a report from the OPCW confirmed the UK's findings in the Skripal poisoning, specifically the purity of the toxin. Secondly, regarding access to the Skripals, Yulia Skripal stated in an interview that she was aware of Russian officials’ offers to meet, but that she declined to do so. A similar case can be seen here.

Go to search

publication/media

sputnik-abkhazia.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 169
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/10/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: UK, Russia
  • Keywords: Sergei Skripal
see more

Disinfo: Ukraine failed to withdraw its armed forces according to Steinmeier formula

The so-called Steinmeier formula has its first failure. It’s about last week’s agreement that Ukraine and the self-proclaimed republics will withdraw their armed forces. They promised to begin from two settlements in Donbas – Petrovskyy and Zolotoye. What happened instead? Petrovskyy was shelled by the Ukrainian security officers. In Zolotoye they carry out a certain operation of the combined forces.

Oct 13, 2019
Disproof

One of the pro-Kremlin messages about the Kyiv government sabotaging peace in the Donbas region. See previous cases about the Minsk agreements and the war in Ukraine. According to the daily report by the SMM OSCE, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but those violations were fixed from both sides. The same situation is with the withdrawal of forces. The SMM OSCE saw 16 weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. Specifically, Steinmeier's formula calls for elections to be held in the separatist-held territories under Ukrainian legislation and the supervision of the OSCE. The withdrawal of forces is the other step that should be done before the planned elections. "There won't be any elections there if the troops are still there," said the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Disinfo: Missile defence system was deployed in Romania without permission

NATO became the tool of foreign policy for the US. Once the state becomes a NATO member, nobody is asking it for permission to deploy certain types of armament. This is how the missile defence system was deployed in Romania and the same is going to happen in Poland.

Oct 13, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narratives on NATO and US global role. This is an example of a narrative shift about the deployment of missile defence systems in Romania and Poland. Before, it was claimed that the US is deploying systems that are capable of launching Tomahawk-type cruise missiles, prohibited by the INF agreement. In fact, both Romania and Poland agreed to host missile defence systems. In 2010, Romania agreed to host Standard Missile 3 interceptor. As for Poland, Poland and the US signed agreement on the deployment of ground-based ballistic missile defence interceptors on the territory of Poland in 2008, but the project was cancelled following a fierce response from the Polish government. Instead, Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defence System (AABMDS) will be deployed in an anti-missile station in Redzikowo, expected to be completed in 2020.

Disinfo: Ukraine will legalise marijuana to manipulate the citizens

In Ukraine, a law on the legalisation of marijuana is ready. Slowly, but surely, the country is moving towards the drug dope. Drugs help manipulate the masses, and this mild aggression has long since been adopted by the Western elites, which is why they are now turning their gazes towards the post-Soviet space.

Oct 13, 2019
Disproof

There is currently no item on the agenda of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the review of the legalisation of medical cannabis in the country. This fact was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who said that now is not the time to legalise marijuana in Ukraine. In the spring, a petition appeared in Ukraine demanding the legalisation of marijuana for medical use, the document collected the necessary number of signatures from citizens. The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights, National Minorities and Inter-ethnic Relations supported the petition. On May 20, the Parliament registered draft law No. 10313 “On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding Ensuring the Fundamental Human Right to Life,” which regulates the use of cannabis for the needs of medicine and science. In August, the draft law was revoked. Read more cases on legalising marijuana and drug issues here.