Category Fact checks / debunkings

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.
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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.
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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.
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DISINFO: Zelenskyy has usurped power in Ukraine

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at defaming President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leadership to absolve Russia from its responsibility for suspending the democratic process in Ukraine. Since 2022, Russia has waged large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and is also responsible for the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, after having illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula and engineered the creation of rebel militias in Donetsk, Luhansk and other places, with its army actively participating in military clashes. Further, Zelenskyy's reported decision to postpone next year's presidential poll was made in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation. Article 19 of the 2015 Ukrainian law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" directly prohibits the holding of presidential and several other types of elections during wartime.
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DISINFO: Ukraine releases water from hydroelectric power station to slow down Russian offensive

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.
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DISINFO: Ukraine ‘peace’ summit is another US-invented scam

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."
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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.
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DISINFO: Top Ukrainian officials don’t believe Zelenskyy’s rhetoric

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.
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DISINFO: Europe is preparing for war with Russia and Poland is claiming Ukrainian territory

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."
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