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Disinfo: West plans Maidan in Belarus with the help of Ukrainian fighters

Summary

The West intends to organize a Maidan in Belarus with the help of Ukrainian fighters and weapons. President Lukashenko wants to improve relations with the West by resolving the conflict in Ukraine. However, the West is disorganised and does not have a common position over Ukraine, which makes conflict resolution impossible. Belarusian authorities understand that Ukrainian state is in crisis, may soon collapse and be replaced by oligarchic and criminal entities.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Western attempts to instigate colour revolutions in the EU neighbourhood, including in Belarus. Examples of earlier disinformation cases are here and here. The disinformation message also involves pro-Kremlin narrative about theupcoming disintegration of Ukraine.

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publication/media

Sputnik Belarus - Russian (Archived)
Teleskop (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 137
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25/01/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Belarus, Ukraine
  • Keywords: West, Ukrainian disintegration, Colour revolutions
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Tit for Tat: Sweden retaliates with accusations of air space violations after Russian fighter intercepts Swedish spy plane

The Russian Ministry of Defence published a video, demonstrating how a Russian fighter jet intercepts a Swedish spy plane over the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad. Sweden has answered with accusing, without evidence, Russian military aircraft, of violating its airspace.

Jan 24, 2019
Disproof

Incorrect timeline. Sputnik Estonia and other Russian state media outlets describe the Swedish accusations as a retaliation to the Russian video, published January 24. The Swedish Armed Forces published their report (in Swedish) on Russian air space violations the day before, January 23.

Facebook and Instagram, under US influence, removed the verification mark from Maduro’s accounts

Facebook and Instagram are acting illegally under Washington’s influence. After Trump’ statement about Nicolas Maduro, they removed the verification mark from Maduro’s accounts, without any justification.

Jan 24, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy about US and social media. Facebook's blue verification badge lets people know that a Page or profile of public interest is authentic. According to Facebook, it is applicable to "eligible brands, media organizations and public figures". There are few steps to be taken in order to get it. Instagram is owned by Facebook since 2012. According to an Instagram spokeswoman, "Nicolas Maduro was not verified on Instagram or Facebook, and we did not remove verification from his account". Further debunking by AFP and The Insider.

Europe is occupied by the US and has limited sovereignty

Europe is occupied by the US and has only limited sovereignty. In the context of Venezuelan protests we see the same team playing for America. Germany, France, Poland, Estonia; they all wear same [football] shirt, just the numbers[on the shirt] are different.

Jan 24, 2019
Disproof

Europe is not occupied by the US. Sovereignty of the EU member states is not limited. This is a classical pro-Kremlin narrative, trying to undermine sovereignty of the West. The EU has condemned indiscriminate violence by the authorities in Venezuela and reiterated that the presidential elections last May in Venezuela were neither free, fair, nor credible and lacking democratic legitimacy. The EU called for the urgent holding of free, transparent and credible presidential elections in accordance with internationally democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order. Read the full statement by the High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU on the situation in Venezuela.