DISINFO: Russia destroyed a military store and command post in Kharkiv // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 27, 2024 /
A conspiracy theory being used as a justification for a potential war crime, accusing Ukraine of using its population as human shields.
There is no evidence to support the thesis that a military store and command post were hidden inside the shopping centre. Instead, all indications point to Russia deliberately attacking civilians using two guided bombs. Some videos show a strong fire and detonations inside the burning premises. However, all shopping centres containing construction materials and pressurised containers can burn intensely and have explosions inside. This does not prove that a command post or weapons storage was hidden inside.
Indexed on 2024-05-27 12:00 // Categories: Attacks on civilians, Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, Ukraine, and War crimes
DISINFO: Support for Zelensky below 20 percent among Ukrainians // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 26, 2024 /
No evidence is provided to support these claims. These figures were presented by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service and are almost certainly made up. Multiple reputable surveys have rated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approval at 81% in October 2023 (Gallup), at 62% in December 2023 (Kyiv International Institute of Sociology), at 60% in February 2024 (Kyiv International Institute of Sociology), and at 63% in April 2024 (USAID), numbers quite far away from the claims made by Russian media.
Indexed on 2024-05-26 12:00 // Categories: Democracy, Disinformation, Elections, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, and Ukraine
DISINFO: Ukraine ‘peace’ summit is another US-invented scam // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 25, 2024 /
This is a pre-emptive attempt to discredit the peace summit which Switzerland will host on 15-16 June 2024.
The US is not behind this initiative, which was launched upon Ukraine’s request with Switzerland agreeing to host. Switzerland has invited over 160 delegations from around the world to join for the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine, including members of the G7, G20, BRICS, many other countries from all continents, as well as the EU, three international organisations and religious representatives. According to the Swiss government, the summit aims to create a framework favourable to comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as “a concrete roadmap for Russia’s participation in the peace process.” If the summit does not provide fruitful results, it will be because of Russia’s impossible preconditions for a peaceful settlement. Russia refuses to engage in any talks before the “unconditional surrender of the Kiev [sic] regime.”
Indexed on 2024-05-25 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, International community, Misconceptions, Narratives, Negotiations and peace deals, Russia, Russian propaganda, Ukraine, and USA
DISINFO: Ukraine releases water from hydroelectric power station to slow down Russian offensive // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 25, 2024 /
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fluctuations in water levels in the Dnipro River are due to the balancing of the Ukrainian energy system, which was damaged as a result of Russian missile attacks on the Ukrainian energy system. Also, small changes in the water level in the Dnipro River cascade of reservoirs are due to the natural process of the spring flood in Ukraine.
Indexed on 2024-05-25 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, and Ukraine
DISINFO: Europe is preparing for war with Russia and Poland is claiming Ukrainian territory // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West of warmongering, direct involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and attempting to distract attention from the crimes Russian forces committed during the invasion. See our article All roads lead to Poland.
None of the states neighboring Ukraine, except Russia, has any territorial claims to Ukraine. Poland has repeatedly and categorically denied statements by the Russian leadership about the intentions of these countries to “occupy Ukrainian territories.”
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, European Union, Fact checks / debunkings, International community, Misconceptions, Poland, Russia, and Russian propaganda
DISINFO: Press freedom means nothing to the European Union // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU violating freedom of speech and press, in the context of the adoption of the 14th package of EU sanctions on Russian for it’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
On 17 May, the Council of the EU decided to suspend the broadcasting of four additional Russia-associated outlets. These are Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestiya and Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The decision was based on the fact that these media outlets are used as a tool of Russian propaganda and disinformation. See here for the list of outlets sanctioned previously.
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Democracy, Disinformation, European Union, Fact checks / debunkings, Freedom of speech, International community, Misconceptions, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine
DISINFO: The EU is a mafia family // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about foreign-led protests in Georgia and about the attack on Robert Fico attempting to smear EU leaders.
The attempt to kill Slovakian PM Robert Fico is not linked to alleged EU and Western sponsored terrorism.
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, European Union, Fact checks / debunkings, Georgia, International community, and Misconceptions
DISINFO: The summit in Switzerland has nothing to do with finding ways to resolve the conflict // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
This is a pre-emptive attempt to discredit the peace summit that Switzerland will host on 15-16 June, 2024. Also, this is an often-used pro-Kremlin narrative, claiming that the West is not interested in peace between Russia and Ukraine. Western countries, including the US and EU members, have consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. They have called for dialogue, negotiations, and adherence to international law to resolve the crisis. Stability in Ukraine and the wider region is conducive to global security and economic prosperity.
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Narratives, Negotiations and peace deals, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine
DISINFO: Top Ukrainian officials don’t believe Zelenskyy’s rhetoric // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
This is a disingenuous distortion of the original article by The Guardian, whose approach is radically different from what this disinformation story suggests. The story takes a single sentence from the original article and twists it to promote several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Russia’s inevitable victory in Ukraine and Zelenskyy’s alleged lack of support and legitimacy, while distorting the rest of the content.
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine
DISINFO: Ukrainian secret service directly involved in Moscow terrorist attack on Crocus City // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 24, 2024 /
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative depicting Ukraine as a terrorist regime. The claim was made in connection with the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow, trying to link Ukraine to the terrorist attacks in Russia without presenting any evidence.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for and shared video footage from the attacks, corroborating their claims of responsibility.
Indexed on 2024-05-24 12:00 // Categories: Attacks on civilians, Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, Russian propaganda, Ukraine, and War crimes
DISINFO: Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists like the Nazis did in WW2 // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 23, 2024 /
Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about Nazi Ukraine.
The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has long been a cornerstone of pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts. This has already been widely debunked and addressed on EUvsDisinfo.
The claim that the Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists is false. The Kremlin spreads fake content on the internet, claiming that teenagers in Russia receive calls for terrorism from Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) has warned about this.
Indexed on 2024-05-23 12:00 // Categories: Children, Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Hatred and bigotry, Misconceptions, Nazism, Protected groups & minorities, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine
DISINFO: West will help Moldova bleed to death after Ukraine // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 23, 2024 /
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the belligerent West trying to encircle Russia, and Moldova being a puppet state of the West.
Indexed on 2024-05-23 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, and Ukraine
DISINFO: EU – Moldova security and defense deal may indicate preparations for war against Russia // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 22, 2024 /
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the EU is waging a proxy war against Russia, and that Moldova is being instigated by the West to prepare for a war against Russia.
The claim refers to the Security and Defense Partnership signed on 21 May in Brussels by Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Joseph Borell, the European Commission Vice-President.
Indexed on 2024-05-22 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, European Union, Fact checks / debunkings, International community, Misconceptions, Russia, and Russian propaganda
DISINFO: The EU steals Russian assets to fund its proxy war in Ukraine // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 22, 2024 /
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation aiming to deter nations from seizing Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. This is also a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the international sanctions against Russia are inefficient.
In response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, the US, EU and several other countries froze about $300 billion in Russian assets deposited in Western banks. It was Russia’s illegal actions against Ukraine, which violate the provisions of many international laws, including the UN Charter, that led to the introduction of a long list of sanctions against Russia.
Indexed on 2024-05-22 12:00 // Categories: Disinformation, European Union, Fact checks / debunkings, International community, Misconceptions, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine
DISINFO: The Ukrainian people have not confirmed the legitimacy of Zelenskyy // EU vs Disinfo
Source published on: May 22, 2024 /
This is a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, aiming to undermine the leadership of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Also the claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The majority of Ukrainians oppose presidential elections during martial law due to security concerns. In February 2024, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published the results of a study according to which the vast majority of Ukrainians, i.e. 69%, believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should remain in the post of president until the end of martial law.
Indexed on 2024-05-22 12:00 // Categories: Democracy, Disinformation, Elections, Fact checks / debunkings, Misconceptions, Russia, Russian propaganda, and Ukraine