Disinfo: Ukraine boats in Kerch Strait were a provocation by Kiev

Summary

The provocation by Kiev in the Kerch Strait led to a lengthy naval chase and culminated in Russian coastguards using force to stop the perpetrators. The incident occurred in the area that used to be Russian territorial waters, even before its reunification with Crimea in 2014.

Disproof

On November 25 border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tug boat and their crews after opening fire at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However according to a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004, governs the use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov, which in the treaty is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. See recurring disinformation examples about the Azov Sea.

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RT English (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 131
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/01/2019
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Azov sea, Kerch, Provocation
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Disinfo: The West has a pro-LGBT motive in backing Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The US government officials who support the creation of independent Orthodox church in Ukraine, such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, also advocate support for the LGBT rights. It is no coincidence that the ‘Kiev pride’ parade was financially supported inter alia by the American and German embassies and Canadian government. With malign political and moral agenda, Ukraine can only expect its situation to deteriorate.

Jan 04, 2019
Disproof

An absurd link made between supporting Ukrainian Orthodox Church and LGBT advocacy. Pro-Kremlin outlet's aim in this case is to appeal to the Orthodox audiences by portraying the West as unreliable and morally decadent - there have been numerous cases of analogous disinformation narratives. The West's advocacy for the rights of the LGBT persons is based on the principle of equal rights and dignity for all human beings, which is perfectly in line with the Christian doctrine. You can read more about the EU position on LGBTI rights here.

Disinfo: Kyiv will have to abandon its nuclear power plants due to uranium deficit

Kyiv will have to close its nuclear power plants due to uranium deficit.

Jan 04, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about nuclear issues and Ukraine. No evidence given for any global uranium deficit. Ukrainian Energoatom has agreements on fuel deliveries both with the US Westinghouse and Russian TVEL. The share of the deliveries by Western companies is growing and the Russian share decreasing. Ukraine aims to move to use Western fuel starting from 2025. Further debunking by the StopFake.

Disinfo: The closure of polling places in Russia makes the Ukrainian elections illegitimate

The Kyiv’s authorities decision to close polling places in Russia makes the Ukrainian elections illegitimate. Kyiv restricts the constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens living in Russia.

Jan 03, 2019
Disproof

The decision approved by the Ukrainian Central Election Commission is not meant to restrict the constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens. According to Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin, the polling stations in Russia will be closed for security reasons. Five foreign polling stations from Russia will be transferred to the embassies of Ukraine in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Finland to "ensure security and safety of Ukrainian citizens".

"We believe that holding free and fair elections on the territory of the aggressor state is impossible and devoid of political and legal sense, while for those who decide to take part, it is simply dangerous," declared Klimkin.Further debunking by Stop Fake.