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.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 123
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/10/2018
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Georgia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, War preparation, Donbas, Mikheil Saakashvili, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: The Islamic state took chemical weapons originating in the West

The Russian Reconciliation Center said that the Islamic State took chemical weapons originating in the West in an attack against Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham near the border of the Idlib Governorate. Allegedly, attackers seized two chlorine canisters. The canisters fell into IS’s hands because of the “West’s irresponsible behaviour.” A chemical attack was being faked and filmed, and then those videos would be shared with international organisations.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation about the West supporting terrorists, and about plots to fake chemical attacks in Syria. There is no proof that the West handed over any chemical weapons to any groups in Syria.

Disinfo: The West is carrying out towards Russia a policy of "political rabies”

The West is carrying out towards Russia a policy of “political rabies. “Why could there be any sudden reason for thinking that the rabies will go away, that they (the West) will speak out and calm down?”

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Russophobia and "Western hysteria". Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia. The measures were adopted in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine. The restrictive measures imposed by the EU involve: economic sanctions, diplomatic measures, individual restrictive measures (asset freeze and travel restrictions), restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol and restrictions on economic cooperation. Recently, the US has adopted new sanctions against Russia over the March poisoning in the U.K. of Skripals.

Disinfo: The political elite of the EU is following the orders from the US when imposing sanctions on Russia

Brussels [the EU] is forced and obliged to work out what the Americans say: sanctions and so on. I mean the Brussels elite. As for the countries and the real state of affairs, in Italy, France or Germany, the business continues and continues to work with Russia. Very closely.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on sanctions. Since March 2014, the EU - including its member states Italy, France and Germany - has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia. The measures were adopted in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine.