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Disinfo: Ukraine is likely to launch some kind of revanchist offensive ahead of March 2019 presidential elections

Summary

Ukraine is likely to launch some kind of revanchist offensive ahead of March 2019 presidential elections. The apparent danger facing the two self-declared Donbass republics is comparable to that faced by Abkhazia and South Ossetia when Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili attacked them.

Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation routinely accuses Ukraine for war preparation ahead of major news events, when it was Russia itself that provoked and maintains the war in Ukraine. Many international organizations condemned the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia, see e.g. the OSCE statements here and here and European Parliament's resolution.

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publication/media

60 minut @Rossiya 1 - YouTube (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 123
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/10/2018
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Ukraine, Georgia
  • Keywords: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, War preparation, War in Ukraine, Mikheil Saakashvili, Donbas

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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US orchestrated unfair vote in Macedonian parliament on name change

The US orchestrated an “unfair vote” in the Macedonian parliament which approved the country’s name change, despite a failed popular referendum. “The eight votes that the parliament lacked for securing the qualifying majority were received via blackmail, threats and bribes given to the opposition lawmakers… Notably, the US Ambassador [to Macedonia] was in the parliament building up to the end of the session, and this is why there is no doubt that he orchestrated the process”.

October 23, 2018
Disproof

No evidence given of any US secret operation to orchestrate the vote. The United States has openly and publicly welcomed the "decision by Macedonia’s Parliament to initiate the constitutional changes needed to implement the Prespa Agreement with Greece". [Press statement - https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/10/286799.htm] It has stated it “strongly supports the agreement’s full implementation”. https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/09/286334.htm RT also writes that the "Macedonian parliament greenlighted the name change", which is not the case. The voting on Friday was only the first phase of the procedure to make the necessary amendments to the constitution that will lead to the implementation of the agreement on name issue with Greece. Balkan Insight meanwhile reported that the eight MPs from the opposition bloc who voted in favour were in fact targeted immediately after the vote by hate speech and threats on social networks and in some pro-opposition media. They are now assigned police protection, the FYROM interior minister Oliver Spasovski said. He also said that the police have identified a “group” close to the informal movement which campaigned for a boycott of the ‘name’ referendum which he said has been threatening the lives of MPs and their families.

Russia does not create tensions in international affairs

There is an old joke… Maybe some don’t know it, it will be interesting. It goes like this. Question: ‘How do you relax?’ Answer: ‘I don’t get tense.” The same goes for tensions in international affairs. We [Russia] don’t create tensions for anybody; we don’t create any problems.

October 22, 2018
Disproof

Recurring narrative in the pro-Kremlin disinformation euvsdisinfo.eu/good-russia/. Russia is currently involved in several conflicts and has illegally annexed Crimea. The Western countries reacted to clearly hostile and aggressive activities of Russia's government, like in the recent cases around Skripal and other attacks of the GRU. Further debunking by Polygraph.

Russia is being constantly provoked and accused by the West

We are being constantly provoked by the West. These provocations take place, firstly, well, with the aim to increase the degree of tension in relations between Russia and Western countries, the main nuclear states. To raise this degree of tension, when the world begins balancing on the brink of a nuclear war. […] And we already know: here, no matter what happens, we always know the right answer. What answer? Who is guilty? It’s Russia.

October 22, 2018
Disproof

No evidence given, This is a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about West's alleged provocation and Russophobia. Over the past years, Russia has been accused of election meddling in the US and beyond; Skripal poisoning; downing of MH17; provoking a war in Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea. And recently the Dutch security services expelled Russian spies over plot targeting OPCW. These accusations are supported by evidence.