Disinfo: US military might have released the coronavirus to challenge China

Summary

Experiments with the most dangerous viruses have been carried out in Wuhan’s Institute of Virology.

According to one version, someone has intentionally staged a provocation, releasing the virus into the natural environment. Experts suggest that the US military could have done so, in order to take revenge on the Chinese for building their own laboratory.

Disproof

No evidence given. A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the US military is behind the spread of the coronavirus.

The current coronavirus (2019-nCoV) comes from a family of viruses that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading with new cases being reported in the Asian-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The World Health Organisation is working with Chinese authorities and global experts to learn more about the virus. There is no evidence to suggest it was developed or disseminated artificially. Read similar disinformation cases: the US prepares biological weapons, the US is constructing secret biological labs, the US is behind the spread of Coronavirus.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 186
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: China, US
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Military, Biological weapons
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Disinfo: The EU imposes its aggressive policy on all countries

London intends to partially lift sanctions against Russia. The EU imposes its universal approaches on all (member) countries. This makes economic and political relations uncomfortable. Even the UK experienced certain problems with the approach of the EU and was forced to endure while being an EU member. As a result of the aggressive policy of the EU, many areas of cooperation were destroyed. This signal, first of all, should be heard in Brussels.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and its sanctions on Russia.

The EU is a democratic Union of 27 Member States. The unique feature of the EU is that, although the Member States remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. The decision-making structure in the EU is defined by the EU treaties. Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ensures the principle of subsidiarity, which guarantees that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Learn more here.

Disinfo: UK wants to be in a leading position on the anti-Russian issue

After leaving the EU, Great Britain will not stop its anti-Russian policy. On the contrary, UK wants to be in a leading position on the anti-Russian issue.

Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative linking the UK and Russophobia with no evidence provided. Russophobia is often used in pro-Kremlin disinformation as an explanation for anyone blaming Russia for anything. By accusing Western societies of “Russophobia”, pro-Kremlin propaganda outlets downgrade criticism of Kremlin policies and actions to being somehow irrational and not worthy of a serious reply.

Read previous disinformation message stating that Russophobia is an integral part of British foreign policy, that After Brexit, the UK will lead a Russophobic camp in Europe, "Great Britain is the main locomotive of Russophobia in the world", UK uses the Skripal case to become a leader of a new campaign of the West against Russia.

Disinfo: Polish president and his political party are against anyone telling truth about Poles' positions towards Holocaust

Polish president Andrzej Duda was not invited to speak at the 5th Holocaust Forum in the Yad Vashem Institute in Israel because he and his party are against anyone who tells the truth about the positions taken by the Poles towards the Holocaust.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Poland’s anti-Semitism.

Polish President announced that he would not participate in the 5th Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, scheduled for the 23rd of January 2020 in Yad Vashem Institute in Israel because the organisers did not invite him to speak at the event, while the Russian president was invited as a speaker.