Language:

See all Disinfo Cases - Detail

Disinfo: Ukraine was involved in the Malaysian Boeing MH17 catastrophe

Summary

The Ukrainian authorities were involved in the catastrophe of the Malaysian Boing over Donbas on 17 July 2014. The Boeing catastrophe has connections to the Ukrainian side, this is confirmed by various facts. There is no doubt the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and his press agency knew about the catastrophe beforehand. Other Kyiv officials have also been connected to the case.

Disproof

An often-repeated pro-Kremlin narrative on the downing of MH17. Bellingcat published numerous reports on the MH17 catastrophe investigation conducted by various parties with evidence supporting the lack of Ukrainian involvement into the catastrophe and proving Russia's involvement instead. The Dutch and Australians government held Russia responsible for the incident. The Dutch Safety Board also confirmed Russia’s involvement into the catastrophe.

Go to search

publication/media

Sputnik Poland (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 144
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25/03/2019
  • Language/target audience: Polish
  • Country: Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Ukraine, The Netherlands
  • Keywords: MH17

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.

see more

Petro Poroshenko intentionally created the Kerch Strait incident in order to cancel or postpone the elections

The Kerch incident was used by President Petro Poroshenko to cancel the election in Ukraine, because he understood that it is difficult for him to win.

April 05, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the Azov Sea and presidential elections in Ukraine. Background information:

On November 25 border patrol boats belonging to Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them, wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that they were in Russian waters. However 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.

The construction of the Kerch Bridge took place without Ukraine's consent and constitutes a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has led, in parallel with the militarisation of the Azov Sea, to tougher controls on naval traffic in the strait. The European Union stated that it expects Russia to stop the inspections.

Further debunking by the Polygraph.

   

US Ambassador to Kyiv controls Ukraine

The US Ambassador to Kyiv controls Ukraine. The Ukrainian government will do nothing until receiving instructions from the US Ambassador. Therefore, there are no complaints about fraud in the presidential elections in Ukraine.

April 05, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy about Western meddling in Ukraine's elections. Ukraine is a sovereign state, not controlled by any foreign government. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world, including the EU. Relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on December 25, 1991. U.S. policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The election day in Ukraine was assessed positively overall and paves the way to the second round. Voting was well-organised, smooth, transparent and efficient, and procedures were generally adhered to. The fact that the first round of elections was held without crucial violations is confirmed by various international organisations. The OSCE PA Election Observation Mission in Ukraine has declared that the first round of the presidential elections in Ukraine was competitive, and citizens had the opportunity to freely express their will. “We can admit that there were definitely competitive elections and the opportunity to vote for the candidate the citizens wanted to elect was provided”, the OSCE Special Coordinator, OSCE PA Honorary President Ilkka Kanerva said. Following the first round of the presidential elections in Ukraine, the same position was announced by the Head of the EP election observation delegation Dariusz Rosati. According to him, these elections were definitely competitive, since no candidate could be clearly identified as the likely winner. The Canadian Election Observation Mission in Ukraine also considers the elections as fair. A press release of the Canadian Mission says that Ukraine’s highly competitive presidential election meets international standards.

Ukraine’s presidential campaign is unique for the scale of electoral fraud

The 2019 presidential election in Ukraine is unique for several reasons. First, it takes place amid a civil war. Second, notwithstanding the civil war, the electoral campaign is very competitive. The competition does not concern politicians or their electoral programmes but is centred around a degree of false statements by candidates. There was hardly a case before whereby the Central Electoral Commission’s -system presented data on 50% of processed ballots by 9am the day following the election.

April 03, 2019
Disproof

Recurring Kremlin's disinformation narrative about a civil war in Ukraine, and on election fraud in Ukraine. The ODIHR Election Observation Mission's Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions does not support allegation about large-scale electoral fraud. The document describes various procedural problems and irregularities however does not report about wide-scale falsifications which could significantly distort the actual voting results. "Election day was assessed positively overall and paves the way to the second round", according to the Statement. The fact that the first round of elections was held without crucial violations is confirmed by various international organisations. The OSCE PA Election Observation Mission in Ukraine has declared that the first round of the presidential elections in Ukraine was competitive, and citizens had the opportunity to freely express their will. “We can admit that there were definitely competitive elections and the opportunity to vote for the candidate the citizens wanted to elect was provided”, the OSCE Special Coordinator, OSCE PA Honorary President Ilkka Kanerva said. Following the first round of the presidential elections in Ukraine, the same position was announced by the Head of the EP election observation delegation Dariusz Rosati. According to him, these elections were definitely competitive, since no candidate could be clearly identified as the likely winner. The Canadian Election Observation Mission in Ukraine also considers the elections as fair. A press release of the Canadian Mission says that Ukraine’s highly competitive presidential election meets international standards.