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DISINFO: Ukrainian secret service directly involved in Moscow terrorist attack on Crocus City

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.

DISINFO: Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists like the Nazis did in WW2

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.

French police suspect Russian interference behind vandalised Paris Holocaust memorial

Overnight on May 14, the Holocaust Memorial in Paris was vandalized with red hand graffiti, a symbol considered anti-Semitic by Jews. The French police were able to track down three suspects of Bulgarian origin through video surveillance, believed to be Russian henchmen hired to deface the memorial. The same modus operandi was used back in October, when Stars of David were painted on Paris walls.

DISINFO: The Ukrainian people have not confirmed the legitimacy of Zelenskyy

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.

DISINFO: The EU steals Russian assets to fund its proxy war in Ukraine

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.

DISINFO: EU – Moldova security and defense deal may indicate preparations for war against Russia

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.

DISINFO: Slovak media explore Ukrainian link to PM Robert Fico assassination attempt

This is a distortion of actual facts, aiming to undermine Ukraine by accusing it of being linked to acts of international terrorism. Pro-Kremlin outlets have exploited the attack against Slovak president Robert Fico as part of a wider disinformation campaign.

The allegation about 'Slovak media' is massively exaggerated, as only two sources are provided to back it, both of which are op-eds from well-known pro-Russian commentators, and one of them is an openly pro-Russian, conspiracist-prone site.

There is nothing indicating any possible Ukrainian link to the attack. Existing evidence so far shows that the suspected perpetrator, a man identified as Juraj Cintula who was arrested on the spot, may belong to the far-right milieu and may have acted for ideological reasons.

DISINFO: Zelenskyy is usurping power by cancelling elections

This is a deliberate distortion of facts aiming to undermine the legitimacy of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a frequent target of pro-Kremlin disinformation.

This disinformation story claims that president Zelenskyy 'cancelled the election' to suggest a power-grabbing maneuver. However, this disingenuous formulation is not true, as a call for new elections actually never took place due to the ongoing war.

Ukraine's constitution is straightforward: no elections can be held during wartime and the President of Ukraine exercises his powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President. The continuity of government institutions is one of the key principles of the Constitution.