Disinfo: Ukrainian agents and extremists may be preparing acts of sabotage in Crimea

Summary

Ukrainian intelligence services and members of extremist organisations may be preparing acts of sabotage in Crimea, namely in the Kerch strait, and provocations against Russian and foreign ships visiting Crimean harbours, according to the chief of the border guard of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FS), general Vladimir Kulishov.

Disproof

No evidence is provided to support the allegation. These affirmations are consistent with the recurrent Russian narrative of Crimea as legally "reunified" with Russia and Ukraine as a destabilizing force, and Russia's claims about the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait incident. These messages have intensified after the hearing of the International Tribunal for the Law of Sea on May 10 about the detention of Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait. Russia refused to take part in the hearing, saying that the court had no jurisdiction in this case, and is trying to change the framework by insisting in "provocations" by the other part. You can see other examples of this narrative here and here.

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mundo.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 152
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/05/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Spanish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Azov sea, Kerch, Crimea
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Disinfo: Ukraine is under the external control of the US

Ukraine need to play along with the Americans. They must do everything the United States like because it is they who introduced external control, which Mr. Zelenskyy is not ready to fight.

May 26, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the EU and US relations with Ukraine. Ukraine is a sovereign state. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The USA recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25th December 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.

Disinfo: "Big brothers" in Europe and beyond knocked down the Austrian Chancellor with a "Russian card"

It is dangerous to run for leadership positions in the EU. Those who dared to show ambition were sent to knock-out with a “Russian card”. Just before the European Elections Austrian Chancellor is facing a no-confidence vote because of the scandalous video involving the vice-chancellor. […] A scandalous video was not an accident, it was released simultaneously by two German newspapers, the source of the video is not disclosed, the face of a blond woman is blurred out. Strange coincidence – half a year ago Austria media reported that a large Russian spy network is allegedly working in Vienna. The source: German intelligence, who later said they received the information from the Brits. […] The Austrian government resigned, experts are installed instead of ministers, and Kurz was shown he made a wrong bet. Austria with Kurz was the odd one out: supported the Nord Stream II, hosted Russian politicians at the highest level, offered itself as a ground for talks between Europe and Russia, and did not oust Russian diplomats. Kurz obviously wanted to play a unique role in Europe, and that was unacceptable for big brothers – not only in Europe.

May 26, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory, consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russophobia and deep state. There is no evidence of Strache-campaign being part of an international master-plan against Austria or its chancellor. Both German magazine Der Spiegel and newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung have been open about their investigation. According to the media outlets, they obtained the video footage in May 2019 and published it after verifying its authenticity. The media has not disclosed who provided the video in order to protect their sources. Pro-Kremlin media has spread multiple contradicting messages about the source of the video, without giving any evidence to back their claims.

Disinfo: Poroshenko instigated the provocation in Kerch Strait to extend his power

Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s ex-president and the author of the provocation in the Kerch Strait, used the conflict to impose martial law in the country and extend his powers.

May 25, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and Azov Sea. 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. The agreement states this stretch to be the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine.