Fake News, Disinformation & Propaganda

DISINFORMATION: Moldova will enter a profound crisis when, pressed by the EU, it introduces sanctions against Russia
DISINFORMATION: Moldova will enter a profound crisis when, pressed by the EU, it introduces sanctions against Russia

The Republic of Moldova will enter a profound crisis if it joins the European Union and anti-Russian sanctions, the Russian official news agency and the Moldovan fugitive oligarch, Ilan Shor, claim. The issue of anti-Russian sanctions exploited by Russian propaganda and Russia’s agents of influence is one of the recurrent threats Kremlin uses to pressure Chișinău.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Luhansk residents will be forcibly deported by Kyiv
WAR PROPAGANDA: Luhansk residents will be forcibly deported by Kyiv

Ukraine has tried to forcibly deport the inhabitants of the Luhansk region, and Russian-speakers in Lysychansk protested before the Ukrainian army, according to a new false narrative carried by the Russian media. The narrative was published against the background of Russia being accused of deporting Ukrainians and forcing millions of people to flee, while advancing its troops and bombing of civilian targets.

Marin Gherman
03 Jul 2022
FAKE NEWS: The US is conducting dangerous nuclear experiments in Romania
FAKE NEWS: The US is conducting dangerous nuclear experiments in Romania

The United States will test small modular reactors (SMR) in Romania, which could cause environmental problems and pose a major risk of nuclear accident, according to a narrative published in the Bucharest press.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The EU will deport to Ukraine refugee men in order to be enrolled in the Ukrainian army
WAR PROPAGANDA: The EU will deport to Ukraine refugee men in order to be enrolled in the Ukrainian army

The EU will deport to Ukraine refugee men so they can be enrolled in the Ukrainian army, the Kremlin-affiliated media writes. In fact, deporting refugees to their country of origin is forbidden under international law, which means Ukrainian citizens who fled the war and came to the EU cannot be sent back.

Marin Gherman
30 Jun 2022
DISINFORMATION: The EU grants the status of candidate to Russophobic countries that have nothing to gain from that
DISINFORMATION: The EU grants the status of candidate to Russophobic countries that have nothing to gain from that

According to narratives launched by pro-Russian politicians in Chisinau and officials in Moscow, the European Union offers the status of accession candidate using Russophobia as a criterion and, together with NATO, is building a war coalition against Russia. Such narratives have appeared in the context in which the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine received the status of candidate countries for EU accession.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The nationalist leader Stepan Bandera has been canonized in Ukraine
WAR PROPAGANDA: The nationalist leader Stepan Bandera has been canonized in Ukraine

The nationalist leader Stepan Bandera has been canonized, according to the Russian press, which is disseminating this propaganda narrative to prove that Ukrainian society is a Nazi one and must be further denazified by the Russian army. In reality, Bandera has not been canonized and there is no initiative in this regard.

Marin Gherman
28 Jun 2022
DISINFORMATION: Censorship is introduced in the Republic of Moldova by banning the broadcasting of certain categories of programs from Russia
DISINFORMATION: Censorship is introduced in the Republic of Moldova by banning the broadcasting of certain categories of programs from Russia

By banning certain categories of programs from Russian television stations, censorship is introduced in the Republic of Moldova, an article published on Politnavigator.net. suggests. In fact, the purpose of the law is to limit fake news and disinformation.

Veridica
27 Jun 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine pays for western weapons with museum exhibits
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine pays for western weapons with museum exhibits

Volodymyr Zelensky pays for Western weapons with Ukrainian museum exhibits, according to a new false narrative promoted by the Russian press and pro-Kremlin Telegram channels. In reality, museum exhibits have been evacuated from the east and south of the country to the western regions or taken from exhibition halls to shelters so as not to be destroyed by Russian bombing.

Marin Gherman
23 Jun 2022
DISINFORMATION: The WHO will use data from Romania’s population census in an abusive manner
DISINFORMATION: The WHO will use data from Romania’s population census in an abusive manner

Romanians' data on health, birth and mortality could reach the World Health Organization (WHO), which will use them for obscure purposes, according to a false narrative promoted in Romania by the controversial Josefina Pascal. The narrative takes elements from the conspiracy theory of the “Great Reset”.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Zaporozhye Volunteers join a battalion that will defend the region from the Ukrainian army
WAR PROPAGANDA: Zaporozhye Volunteers join a battalion that will defend the region from the Ukrainian army

Ukrainians from Zaporozhye are volunteering to join a battalion to defend the region from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to Russian media. In reality, Russia is forcibly mobilizing Ukrainian civilians from the occupied localities in this region, in violation of international conventions, and the city of Zaporozhye is still under the control of the Ukrainian army.

Marin Gherman
21 Jun 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian troops are massacring Russian speakers while withdrawing from Donbas
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian troops are massacring Russian speakers while withdrawing from Donbas

According to Russian media, the Ukrainians are being forced to withdraw from Donbas following Moscow's “special operation” and are massacring Russian-speakers while fleeing. In reality, Ukrainian forces continue to resist, and Ukrainian leaders say they will fight for every town in Donbas to defend the local population, including Russian-speakers, from the Russian invaders.

Marin Gherman
20 Jun 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The NATO Secretary General suggested Kyiv should concede certain territories to Russia in the name of peace
WAR PROPAGANDA: The NATO Secretary General suggested Kyiv should concede certain territories to Russia in the name of peace

The Russian media writes that NATO’s Secretary General has recommended Kyiv to concede a number of territories to Russia in the name of peace. In fact, Stoltenberg hailed Ukraine’s resistance and condemned Russia.

Marin Gherman
18 Jun 2022
FAKE NEWS: The West is pushing the Republic of Moldova into a war with Transnistria and Russia
FAKE NEWS: The West is pushing the Republic of Moldova into a war with Transnistria and Russia

The West is preparing an attack on Transnistria to push the Republic of Moldova into an armed conflict against Russia, according to a false narrative published by ehomd.info. The narrative is part of a genuine campaign on this issue, behind which are both the pro-Kremlin press and left-wing politicians in Chisinau.

Veridica
15 Jun 2022
FAKE NEWS: The Chinese delegation left the room during Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech
FAKE NEWS: The Chinese delegation left the room during Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech

The Chinese delegation left the room during a speech by Zelensky, in protest of Ukraine's actions and to show support for Moscow’s “special operation”, writes the Russian press. In reality, the Chinese delegation listened carefully to the Ukrainian leader's speech and did not leave the conference room.

Marin Gherman
13 Jun 2022
DISINFORMATION: Moldova is pushed towards a war with Russia and a unification with Romania
DISINFORMATION: Moldova is pushed towards a war with Russia and a unification with Romania

Moldova is undergoing an economic crisis, and the Government and the West is providing it with weapons for the war in Ukraine, while at the same time preparing the unification with Romania. The narratives were launched by former president, Igor Dodon, and were amplified by the pro-Socialist and Russian media.

DISINFORMATION: The United States triggered the war in Ukraine for financial profit
DISINFORMATION: The United States triggered the war in Ukraine for financial profit

The United States are responsible for triggering the war in Ukraine, and continue to fuel this conflict for its own economic benefit, but also with a view to turning Europe and some countries in Asia into its economic satellites, according to a false narrative published in Bucharest. The disinformation reiterates Moscow’s propaganda themes that try to justify Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, holding the West accountable for this conflict.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Children in Donbass were sold for organs under the coordination of the Red Cross
WAR PROPAGANDA: Children in Donbass were sold for organs under the coordination of the Red Cross

The pro-Kremlin media accuses the Red Cross of being engaged in organ trafficking activities involving children in Donbas. This false narrative is designed to discredit this international organization, which has so far been denied access to Russian-held territories, where it was planning to get involved in the evacuation of civilians and providing medical care to the population.

Marin Gherman
08 Jun 2022
FAKE NEWS: FBI agents have arrived in Chișinău in order to push the Republic of Moldova into a military confrontation with Russia
FAKE NEWS: FBI agents have arrived in Chișinău in order to push the Republic of Moldova into a military confrontation with Russia

FBI agents and officers of German intelligence are plotting to involve the Republic of Moldova into a military operation against Russia, according to a controversial Russian journalist. His statement was shared by media outlets such as politnavigator and tsargrad, and have been dismissed by Chișinău authorities.

Veridica
07 Jun 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Most Poles support the invasion of regions in western Ukraine
WAR PROPAGANDA: Most Poles support the invasion of regions in western Ukraine

Russian Telegram accounts have this month picked up on a narrative launched in early May, regarding public support for Poland’s prospective invasion of Ukraine. The narrative was based on a survey that didn’t even tackle this topic.

Marin Gherman
06 Jun 2022
DISINFORMATION: 40% of the Republic of Moldova’s territory will be controlled by foreign policemen
DISINFORMATION: 40% of the Republic of Moldova’s territory will be controlled by foreign policemen

The Republic of Moldova will be controlled by armed policemen from other countries, according to media outlets affiliated to the Socialist Party. In fact, several dozen experts will be charged with supporting Moldovan border policemen in overseeing border crossing procedures and managing the flow of refugees.

FAKE NEWS: Dodon was detained at the order of the Romanian secret services
FAKE NEWS: Dodon was detained at the order of the Romanian secret services

The former pro-Russian President of the Republic of Moldova and de facto leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), Igor Dodon, has been detained with the involvement of Romania’s special services, according to a false narrative released in Bucharest.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The OSCE was collaborating with the “Azov” battalion in Mariupol and was providing it with intelligence
WAR PROPAGANDA: The OSCE was collaborating with the “Azov” battalion in Mariupol and was providing it with intelligence

OSCE observers were collaborating with the “Azov” battalion in Mariupol and was providing it with information, the media in the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, but also in Russia, writes. The false narrative is employed to justify the reluctance of certain OSCE experts in Donbas.

Marin Gherman
01 Jun 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine will cede Zaporizhzhia to Russia
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine will cede Zaporizhzhia to Russia

Ukraine will cede the city of Zaporizhzhia to Russia, according to a propaganda narrative distributed by the Russian press. The aim is to sow panic among the Ukrainian people and to convince the domestic public opinion that the “special operation” is going well and can be extended to other Ukrainian regions.

Marin Gherman
31 May 2022
FAKE NEWS: Igor Dodon was arrested because he was trying to prevent the Republic of Moldova from entering the war
FAKE NEWS: Igor Dodon was arrested because he was trying to prevent the Republic of Moldova from entering the war

Former president of the Republic of Moldova, Socialist Igor Dodon, was arrested because he wanted to prevent the Republic of Moldova from entering the conflict in Ukraine, media outlets in Chișinău and Moscow claim. In fact, Dodon was detained as part of official investigations into the illegal funding of Dodon’s party, which were launched a few years ago.

Veridica
30 May 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The West is investigating the atrocities committed by Ukrainian nationalists on the territory of Ukraine
WAR PROPAGANDA: The West is investigating the atrocities committed by Ukrainian nationalists on the territory of Ukraine

The West is investigating the war crimes committed by Ukrainian nationalists, the Russian media writes, even quoting a press release of the US Department of State. However, the document refers to the war crimes committed by the Russian army, condemned by all the major Western chancelleries.

Marin Gherman
27 May 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian neo-Nazis are keeping civilians captive in the Kharkiv oblast
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian neo-Nazis are keeping civilians captive in the Kharkiv oblast

Ukrainian neo-Nazis are keeping civilians hostage in various locations across the Kharkiv oblast, the Russian state media writes. In fact, the locations in question have long been occupied by Russia, and the local council claims the Russian soldiers are committing war crimes.

Marin Gherman
26 May 2022
DISINFORMATION: The Western media are lying about the war in Ukraine
DISINFORMATION: The Western media are lying about the war in Ukraine

The Western media are lying, and the horrors committed by Russians in Ukraine are not real. Arms manufacturers want a New World Order, and are paying the western media for pro-Ukrainian propaganda, according to false narratives published in Bucharest.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The EU fears the tuberculosis synthesized in NATO labs in Ukraine
WAR PROPAGANDA: The EU fears the tuberculosis synthesized in NATO labs in Ukraine

The EU is screening all Ukrainian refugees for a strain of tuberculosis engineered in NATO secret laboratories on the territory of Ukraine, the Russian media claims. This is the latest in a string of false narratives whereby Russia is trying to legitimize its aggression, claiming Ukraine is allegedly developing biological weapons with support from the West.

Marin Gherman
24 May 2022
DISINFORMATION: If Moldova leaves the CIS, it will have nowhere to sell its products
DISINFORMATION: If Moldova leaves the CIS, it will have nowhere to sell its products

The Republic of Moldova will suffer enormous economic losses if it exists the Commonwealth of Independent States, according to the former pro-Russian president Igor Dodon. However, statistics show that Moldovan exports to Russia have been steadily declining, as Moscow has imposed tariff caps on Moldovan products since 2014 and is supplying gas at market prices.

Veridica
23 May 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky’s adviser announces the organization of a genocide against the Russian-speaking population in Kharkiv and Donbas
WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky’s adviser announces the organization of a genocide against the Russian-speaking population in Kharkiv and Donbas

Ukraine intends to organize a genocide against Russian speakers in Kharkiv and Donbas, the Russian media writes, drawing on a statement made by an adviser to president Volodymyr Zelensky, which it deliberately misinterprets in order to build this false narrative.

Marin Gherman
22 May 2022
DISINFORMATION: The West is fighting Russia using Ukraine as proxy
DISINFORMATION: The West is fighting Russia using Ukraine as proxy

Western countries are waging a war by proxy in Ukraine against Russia, and seek to destroy this country, although the armed conflict is affecting the West more than it does Russia.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Nearly three million Ukrainians want to emigrate to Russia
WAR PROPAGANDA: Nearly three million Ukrainians want to emigrate to Russia

Nearly three million Ukrainians want to reach Russia, which is already home to over a million war refugees, according to a false narrative launched the Russian MFA and Kremlin-affiliated media. In fact, Russia launched a genuine campaign to forcefully displace Ukrainians from the territories it currently controls. Besides, nine in ten Ukrainians see Russia as their enemy.

Marin Gherman
20 May 2022
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