Disinfo: Ukraine Might Explode Pipelines to Stop Gas Transit

Summary

Once the Nord Stream 2 is completed, Ukraine might be tempted to explode gas pipelines to stop the transit.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about Ukraine, and Nord Stream 2 related issues. Every year Ukraine earns 3 bln USD on gas transit, according to CEO of Naftogaz Andriy Kobolev. In addition, Ukraine invests in the modernisation of the the GTS. In 2018 - 2027, Ukraine plans to invest additional 60 bln UAH (almost 2 bln EUR). Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin recently informed that Ukraine is interested in signing a new transit agreement, but only if it would be concluded in accordance with the European gas market rules.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 133
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16/01/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, gas, economy, Nord Stream 2, Trade, Energy, European Union
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Disinfo: Nearly 100 dead as a result of free Hep C vaccine from the Lugar Lab

Nearly 100 people, and likely more, died over a free Hep C elimination program that did not go as planned. This is the true agenda of the US-funded Lugar Lab. Biologists of the U.S. military-medical group in Georgia and private contractors under federal contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency could have performed secret experiments on residents of Georgia.

Disproof

No evidence about the experiments in Lugar laboratory, vaccine or 100 dead bodies. Recurring narrative about Lugar Laboratory.

Disinfo: The Western partners turned Ukraine into a big waste dump

The Western partners turned Ukraine into a big waste dump [reference to ships that Ukraine received from “transatlantic friends”]. Ukraine has long ago abandoned its pride, just like its independence, and all cooperation with the West concludes with implementing political orders by the masters. Which, for their part, have turned Ukraine into an asylum for junk.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation undermining the Ukrainian statehood, denigrating Ukraine's army and the West abandoning Ukraine. Ukraine is recognised in international law as a sovereign nation state, with its own flag, nationality, language etc. UNGA Resolution 68/262 also affirmed the General Assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders: http://bit.ly/1RZGnjo. Ukraine agreed in September to accept from the US two Island-class patrol boats as free military aid, which apparently is the assistance the article refers to. See for further background Polygraph's earlier debunking. “This aid is especially crucial at a time when Russia is undermining the freedom of navigation in the Sea of Azov, cowardly hunting and intimidating commercial ships,” Ukrainian President Petro Porohsenko said at the time. “Our task is to convince the Kremlin that we are committed to defending Ukraine’s shores.” Those outdated vessels, manufactured for the U.S. Coast Guard from 1985-92, are intended to help Ukraine create a so-called "Mosquito fleet" – with a focus on quick deployment covering a large area.

Disinfo: Ukraine entered Russian waters in the Azov Sea

On November 25, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy entered territorial waters of Russia, ignored the requests to stop and, with their reckless manoeuvres, endangered navigation. They were seized by the Russian coast guard near the Kerch Strait. Ukrainian navy is getting ready to enter the Azov Sea once more, this time with an escort from NATO and OSCE vessels.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukraine violating Russian territorial integrity in the Azov Sea. The use of the Kerch strait and the Sea of Azov is regulated by a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine, signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004. According to the document, the Azov Sea is considered to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine. 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. The Ukrainian government asked for NATO's help in the Azov Sea. NATO asserted that its ships routinely patrol the Black Sea, and that regular air policing and reconnaissance flights are conducted there. Nevertheless, there is no credible evidence for Ukraine preparing for entering the Azov Sea with an escort of the NATO and OSCE vessels.