DISINFO: Western funding behind protests in Yekaterinburg, Russia
SUMMARY
Events In framework of “Russia’s dissolution” are developing, backed by Western funds. The city of Yekaterinburg, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, has became a first target of this new campaign. On May 13, local activists blocked the start of construction of an Orthodox church (“Khram Svyatoy Yekateriny”) in one of the city’s parks. People rallying against the project clashed with its supporters. Some activists were detained. After this, local authorities intervened in the situation attempting to settle the conflict between the sides. However, after the more detailed look, it appears that there are multiple signals that the ongoing conflict over the church is created artificially, managed by some outside force and has little with the formally declared reason of protests. The goal of these efforts is to undermine the political system and create an instability factor in one of the key Russian regions.
RESPONSE
Unfounded pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory, in line with a trope, claiming "The West" to be behind any kind of protests anywhere.