Disinfo: West preparing possible CBRN provocations in Zaporizhzhia

Summary

The demand of the US embassy in Kyiv for US citizens to leave Ukraine immediately may be related to the preparation of a provocation. Such a provocation may involve chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Disproof

This is an unsubstantiated claim by pro-Kremlin outlets made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

There is no evidence proving that Ukraine or its Western partners are planning such actions. The US embassy in Ukraine issued a security alert on 14 July 2022 and urged US citizens to depart immediately - it was a general warning to be vigilant and an explaination what action must be taken in the event of danger.

The situation in Ukraine continues to be violent and unpredictable due to Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression. It is Russia which is often involved in provocations. Russian troops wanted to stage a provocation at an occupied atomic power plant in the Zaporizhzhia Region where they detained several workers and tortured them to confess that they had dropped weapons into the concrete bowls of the cooling ponds. Under this pretext, the occupiers insisted on draining the cooling ponds to check their bottoms and stop the pumps that supply water to the safety systems of power units. It might leave the power plant without cooling, which could threaten nuclear safety.

Russian forces also deployed artillery systems, rocket launchers, tanks and personnel carriers at the same power plant, turning it into a military base. They did it purposefully to prevent a Ukrainian counterattack.

Read more about the EU's responseto Russia's invasion of Ukraine along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 300
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17/07/2022
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia, US
  • Keywords: Invasion of Ukraine, Provocation
see more

Disinfo: UN fails to take a balanced stance on situation around Vinnytsia

The UN Secretariat has failed to take a balanced stance on the developments in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s statements about it are contrary to the requirements of the UN Charter. The Secretariat failed to take an equidistant stance, which is what one would expect from the secretariat of the most reputable international organisation, particularly designed to help resolve disputes.

Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, claiming that Russian military does not strike civilian infrastructure.

The material and links may contain distressing/ graphic content.

Disinfo: The House of Officers in Vinnytsia was a temporary location for Nazis

Russia strikes only military targets in Ukraine. In the House of Officers in Vinnytsia there were servicemen of the Ukrainian army, stated the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN.

RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan wrote: “I asked the Defense Ministry where they hit in Vinnytsia. The answer is: “In the House of Officers, there was a temporary accommodation point for Nazis.”

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, claiming that Russian military does not strike civilian infrastructure.

The material and links may contain distressing/graphic content.