Fake News, Disinformation & Propaganda

DISINFORMATION: The Republic of Moldova is led by an anti-Russian dictatorship
DISINFORMATION: The Republic of Moldova is led by an anti-Russian dictatorship

The Republic of Moldova is ruled by an anti-Russian dictatorship that has taken grip of the power and state institutions, politnavigator.net writes. This Kremlin-linked media outlet also suggests that the current regime in Moldova, which is turning the country into a “small Ukraine”, could be ousted as the Russian army draws close to Moldova’s borders.

Veridica
02 Oct 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Lviv will host a referendum on its annexation to Poland
WAR PROPAGANDA: Lviv will host a referendum on its annexation to Poland

Lviv is preparing to host a referendum on the annexation of this oblast to Poland, which will be held with the blessing of president Zelensky, the Russian government media writes. In fact, the organization of a referendum in Lviv was never brought into discussion, whereas Poland has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and its territorial integrity.

Marin Gherman
01 Oct 2022
FAKE NEWS: The referendums held in occupied Ukraine are legitimate, and Russia’s military strength overpowers the West’s
FAKE NEWS: The referendums held in occupied Ukraine are legitimate, and Russia’s military strength overpowers the West’s

The Russian-held regions in Ukraine have a right to self-determination and the referendums organized by Russia here are as legitimate as the independence of Kosovo, reads a false narrative launched by a Romanian publication, which also reiterates the false claim spread by Russian propaganda regarding Russia’s military superiority over the West.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Western observers confirm that the referendums in Ukraine met the democratic standards
WAR PROPAGANDA: Western observers confirm that the referendums in Ukraine met the democratic standards

International observers from Western states have confirmed that the referendums in Donbass and in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions met the democratic standards, Russian state media say. In reality, the Western states did not send observers to the so-called referendums, and the “experts” cited by the Russian media are born in the West, but have lived in Russia for many years and support the Kremlin's policies.

Marin Gherman
29 Sep 2022
FAKE NEWS: The victory of the right wing in Italy will oust the corona dictatorship
FAKE NEWS: The victory of the right wing in Italy will oust the corona dictatorship

The result of the election in Italy is presented as a victory of the good against the global government, a victory that will eliminate all restrictions imposed on Italy’s territory with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the restrictions have been lifted for some time by Italy’s current government.

Veridica
27 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Hundreds of thousands of casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers, confirmed by a Kyiv general
WAR PROPAGANDA: Hundreds of thousands of casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers, confirmed by a Kyiv general

A general in Kyiv has announced that the Ukrainian army has lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the war with Russia, according to a propaganda narrative launched by the pro-Kremlin media to sow panic in Ukrainian society and discourage resistance. In reality, General Sergey Krivonos spoke of civilian casualties as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
27 Sep 2022
FAKE NEWS: The Republic of Moldova wants to trade territories with Ukraine
FAKE NEWS: The Republic of Moldova wants to trade territories with Ukraine

The Republic of Moldova wants to trade territories with Ukraine, conceding Transnistria in exchange for southern Bessarabia and Bukovina, according to a Russian publication that reinterprets a statement made by an MP representing the Moldovan Parliament majority. The same source also picks up on a number of older false narratives about the Republic of Moldova and raises the question of Moscow recognizing the independence of Transnistria.

Veridica
26 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The referendums of the annexation of Russian-held territories in eastern and southern Ukraine observe the UN Charter
WAR PROPAGANDA: The referendums of the annexation of Russian-held territories in eastern and southern Ukraine observe the UN Charter

The population of Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson have a right to self-determination under the UN Charter, which makes the referendums in southern and eastern Ukraine legitimate, says Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. In fact, Russia violated the UN Declaration on the Principles of International Law by invading Ukraine, and the international community will not recognize the referendums.

Marin Gherman
24 Sep 2022
FAKE NEWS: The secret services will orchestrate protests to justify the EU abandoning Ukraine
FAKE NEWS: The secret services will orchestrate protests to justify the EU abandoning Ukraine

European Union Member States will abandon Ukraine ahead of the cold season lest Russia should suspend its gas deliveries and for fear of a nuclear threat coming from Moscow. To justify their decision, EU countries will play host to a number of protests with the help of the secret services.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The partial mobilization ordered by Putin will prevent a nuclear disaster and will lead to a de-escalation of the conflict and diplomatic dialogue
WAR PROPAGANDA: The partial mobilization ordered by Putin will prevent a nuclear disaster and will lead to a de-escalation of the conflict and diplomatic dialogue

After Vladimir Putin decreed the partial military mobilization, Russian state media launched a series of false narratives justifying the decision. Partial mobilization is presented as a step towards de-escalation, a measure necessary for diplomatic dialogue and the prevention of a nuclear disaster or a war on Russian territory.

Marin Gherman
22 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Izium massacre was fabricated in order to compromise the Russian army
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Izium massacre was fabricated in order to compromise the Russian army

The Russian army is not responsible for the Izium massacre, which was framed by the West or represents an act of provocation from Kyiv, which is killing Russian speakers in the Kharkiv region, a new Russian propaganda narrative reads. The narrative was launched after the Ukrainian army discovered mass graves in the Izium area with the remains of hundreds of people, some appearing to have been the victims of swift executions, as well as the rooms where civilians were tortured.

Marin Gherman
21 Sep 2022
FAKE NEWS: The EU abandoned the Republic of Moldova, and Romania doubled the price of electricity
FAKE NEWS: The EU abandoned the Republic of Moldova, and Romania doubled the price of electricity

The European Union has abandoned the Republic of Moldova, Romania has doubled its energy tariff, and the anti-Russian policy of the government in Chisinau has triggered deep crises, baltnews.com writes. In reality, the West is the biggest financial supporter of the Republic of Moldova, which is affected by the crisis just like the rest of the countries in the region.

Veridica
19 Sep 2022
DISINFORMATION: Moldova closes schools to buy weapons from the West
DISINFORMATION: Moldova closes schools to buy weapons from the West

The pro-European government in Chisinau is closing universities and schools to procure Western weapons, and the people will be cannon fodder in the geopolitical games of the big players, former pro-Russian president Igor Dodon claims in an interview for the Russian press. The false narrative fits into the anti-NATO and anti-Western rhetoric that has intensified with the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The Government in Kyiv has voiced mistrust in its Western partners
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Government in Kyiv has voiced mistrust in its Western partners

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said it no longer trusts its Western partners, who don’t want peace in Ukraine, reads a propaganda narrative published by the Russian state media. Oleksii Reznikov’s statement was taken out of context. The Ukrainian official referred to a prospective multilateral peace agreement once Russia has surrendered and a constructive dialogue with the West.

Marin Gherman
16 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will launch a war against Russia in the next 10 years
WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will launch a war against Russia in the next 10 years

The Polish Defense Ministry announced it would launch a war against Russia within the next 10 years, according to a propaganda narrative disseminated by the Russian government media. In fact, Poland’s Government adopted an endowment program also designed to increase the number of troops in the context of the war in Ukraine possibly spilling over into Poland’s territory.

Marin Gherman
15 Sep 2022
DISINFORMATION: Russia is not to blame for the energy and natural gas price surge
DISINFORMATION: Russia is not to blame for the energy and natural gas price surge

Russia is not to blame for the global rise in energy prices, it is the fault of an increasingly greedy Europe that has created “energy bubbles”. This false narrative, promoted in an online publication in Romania, repeats Russian propaganda and ignores Moscow's actions that actually led to the current situation.

FAKE NEWS: Chisinau authorities threaten Gagauzia’s autonomy
FAKE NEWS: Chisinau authorities threaten Gagauzia’s autonomy

The Chisinau authorities are threatening to leave Gagauzia without autonomy, according to a false narrative carried by the Russian publication Trud.ru. This is accompanied by specific Russian propaganda theses regarding the Republic of Moldova - the West's control over the country, the “danger” of the union with Romania and the “fake” fight against corruption.

Veridica
12 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for the liberation of the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa from the Ukrainian Nazis
WAR PROPAGANDA: Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for the liberation of the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa from the Ukrainian Nazis

Residents of the Zaporizhzhia region are waiting for Russia to liberate the cities of Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Odesa, which have been oppressed by Ukrainian Nazis for the past decades, the pro-Kremlin media say. In fact, all these localities have been the target of Russian aggression and bombing, and the majority of Ukrainians – including the inhabitants of the Zaporizhzhia region – consider Russia an enemy.

Marin Gherman
09 Sep 2022
DISINFORMATION: Romania and Europe will freeze next winter
DISINFORMATION: Romania and Europe will freeze next winter

Romania, just like the other European countries, will suffer terribly because of the gas price and Russia's decision to partially halt gas supplies to Europe, but this is only the fault of the European leaders, who punished Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine. The false narrative ignores the fact that Russia needs the Europeans’ money, and the latter have taken steps to avoid a major energy crisis.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The IAEA mission praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing
WAR PROPAGANDA: The IAEA mission praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing

According to the pro-Kremlin media, experts with the International Atomic Energy Agency have allegedly praised the Russian army for defending the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant from Ukrainian bombing. In reality, there is no report or statement by IAEA experts expressing this point of view anywhere, the source cited being, in fact, the pro-Russian separatist leader Yevhen Balytskyi.

Marin Gherman
07 Sep 2022
DISINFORMATION: The Russian military presence in Transnistria is the “cornerstone” of security for the entire region
DISINFORMATION: The Russian military presence in Transnistria is the “cornerstone” of security for the entire region

The Russian military presence in the separatist region on the left bank of the Dniester is the cornerstone of security in the region, according to a pro-Kremlin publication. In reality, the Russian forces amplified the conflict by participating in it, and Moscow's refusal to withdraw them, as promised, led to its perpetuation.

Veridica
06 Sep 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Anthony Fauci has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was produced in Ukrainian labs
WAR PROPAGANDA: Anthony Fauci has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was produced in Ukrainian labs

The former US chief epidemiologist has publicly admitted that US laboratories in Ukraine were involved in the production of the coronavirus, according to media in Russia and in the self-proclaimed Luhansk republic. The so-called news is a fabrication: there is no statement by Anthony Fauci regarding the production of viruses or other biological weapons in Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
05 Sep 2022
DISINFORMATION: Most Romanians want their country to leave NATO and the EU
DISINFORMATION: Most Romanians want their country to leave NATO and the EU

Most Romanian nationals want their country to leave NATO and the EU and there is no party that can politically capitalize on this move, according to a false narrative promoted by Gold FM, a radio station previously linked to promoting disinformation and fake news. The narrative is contradicted by surveys.

DISINFORMATION: The pro-European government in Chișinău is underming the Russian language in the Republic of Moldova
DISINFORMATION: The pro-European government in Chișinău is underming the Russian language in the Republic of Moldova

The Government in Chișinău is pushing for diminishing the role of the Russian language at society level, but also to undermine the rights of national minorities, rubaltic.ru writes. In fact, in recent years, nothing has virtually changed in Chișinău with respect to the status of the Russian language – Romanian speakers are often used to switch to Russian when communication to Russian speakers, films are often dubbed in Russian, while TV channels, shows and films are commonplace on the audiovisual market.

Veridica
31 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Terrorists are trained on EU territory with a view to launching attacks against the civilian population in Donbas
WAR PROPAGANDA: Terrorists are trained on EU territory with a view to launching attacks against the civilian population in Donbas

European Union Member States have created centers for training mercenaries and terrorists who will kill civilians in Donbas, reads a recent propaganda narrative promoted by the Russian government media. In fact, the EU doesn’t have any such centers on its territory. European Union Member States have repeatedly condemned international terrorism and have called on Russia to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
30 Aug 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Due to Kyiv’s neo-Nazi propaganda, Ukrainians don’t understand that Russia is here to liberate, not occupy them
WAR PROPAGANDA: Due to Kyiv’s neo-Nazi propaganda, Ukrainians don’t understand that Russia is here to liberate, not occupy them

Due to Kyiv’s propaganda efforts in the last eight years, Ukrainians fail to understand that the Russian soldiers are there to liberate them, and mistakenly believe Russia is the occupier, according to false narratives promoted by Kremlin-linked media. In fact, Russia launched a conquest war, provoking the death of thousands of people and wide-reaching destruction.

Marin Gherman
28 Aug 2022
FAKE NEWS: The world occult is planning to microchip children
FAKE NEWS: The world occult is planning to microchip children

The World Economic Forum plans to implant microchips to control children under the pretext of solving medical problems, according to a false narrative that also appeared in Romania. The narrative is typical of older conspiracy theories.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The USA will cause a nuclear disaster in Ukraine to conceal evidence of their biological weapons laboratories
WAR PROPAGANDA: The USA will cause a nuclear disaster in Ukraine to conceal evidence of their biological weapons laboratories

The United States wants a nuclear disaster to happen at the Zaporizhzhia NPP in order to wipe out any evidence of their biological weapons labs, reads a false narrative disseminated by the Russian government media. In fact, no Western state wants to see a nuclear incident, all the more so as it might have a powerful global impact, whereas the laboratories manufacturing biological weapons in Ukraine are a fabrication of Russian propaganda.

Marin Gherman
25 Aug 2022
DISINFORMATION: The poverty inflicted by the Maia Sandu administration is forcing people to use manure to heat their homes
DISINFORMATION: The poverty inflicted by the Maia Sandu administration is forcing people to use manure to heat their homes

The PAS pro-European government is to blame for the soaring inflation in the Republic of Moldova, having brought people to the brink of despair. This false narrative ignores the external causes behind the high level of inflation and is promoted by the pro-Russian opposition in Chișinău and its affiliated publications. Bloknot-moldova.ru illustrates the narrative by means of a collage depicting Maia Sandu next to a woman who makes piles of straw and manure used for heating.

Veridica
22 Aug 2022
FAKE NEWS: A basketball player in Romania died due to vaccination against COVID-19
FAKE NEWS: A basketball player in Romania died due to vaccination against COVID-19

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the cause of death of an 18-year-old basketball player from the National Women's Basketball League of Romania, according to an online publication that has promoted numerous false narratives about the coronavirus. The article was published before the cause of death was established and it was not known whether the young woman had been vaccinated or not.

DISINFORMATION: The government in Chisinau has instated a dictatorial regime, which fights against the free press
DISINFORMATION: The government in Chisinau has instated a dictatorial regime, which fights against the free press

The pro-European government in Chisinau is censoring the press and getting rid of inconvenient media, according to a false narrative promoted by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The narrative is used by politnavigator.net and taken over by news-front.ru to justify possible response measures from Moscow.

Veridica
17 Aug 2022
DISINFORMATION: Maia Sandu is plotting a coup against her own government
DISINFORMATION: Maia Sandu is plotting a coup against her own government

The PAS Cabinet has created chaos in Moldova. It wants to sever ties with Gazprom, while the USA is grooming a successor to Maia Sandu, reads a website promoting Kremlin policies. The website also states that Maia Sandu is plotting a coup against herself. The narratives are designed the smear the reputation of the pro-European government in Chișinău and to destabilize the internal context in the Republic of Moldova.

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