DISINFO: Ukraine is stirring up revolutions in Belarus and Russia under the control of RAND Corporation
SUMMARY
Kiyv is trying to stir up Maidan sentiments in Russia and Belarus. The Ukrainian authorities are acting in accordance with the directives of the “shadow CIA” – the American Rand corporation, notorious for its anti-Russian activities. The Rand Corporation is funded by the US State Department and manages Russophobic processes in Ukraine, interferes in the affairs of other countries, conducts anti-Russian activities, opposes Nord Stream, and organises various “shows” in Belarus.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about protests in Belarus and colour revolutions. There is no evidence that Ukraine is trying to destabilise the situation in Belarus or Russia. Ukraine supports the independence and territorial integrity of Belarus. The protests in Belarus erupted to contest the results of the presidential elections that took place on the 9 August, which are considered fraudulent by a large part of Belarusian society. The European Union has also stated that the elections were neither free nor fair and on 2 October 2020, imposed restrictive measures against 40 individuals identified as responsible for repression and intimidation against peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists in the wake of the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, as well as for misconduct of the electoral process. However, there is no evidence that the protests in Belarus are funded and organised externally. The RAND Corporation is a US analytical centre that provides research and analysis in a variety of fields and helps to make political decisions. It is financed by US government agencies (US Department of Health and Human Services, US Army, US Air Force), the private sector, foundations and philanthropic contributions. Due to their regular publication of reports on the military and security aspects of relations with Russia, they have been subject to previous disinformation attacks by the Kremlin. See other pro-Kremlin disinformation cases on Belarus protests, such as: the protests in Minsk is a Polish project, the US wants anti-Russian forces in Belarusian government to wage war against Russia, or that the European policy of interference in Belarus continues and deepens.