Fake News, Disinformation & Propaganda

WAR PROPAGANDA: UKRAINIANS ARE SATANISTS
WAR PROPAGANDA: UKRAINIANS ARE SATANISTS

Ukrainian soldiers practice satanic rituals invoking dark forces to help them in battle, according to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti. The story aims to demonize the opponent, the Ukrainian army.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Israeli mercenaries have arrived in Ukraine to fight Russia alongside soldiers from the “Azov” battalion
WAR PROPAGANDA: Israeli mercenaries have arrived in Ukraine to fight Russia alongside soldiers from the “Azov” battalion

Having joined Ukrainian fighters with the “Azov” battalion, Israeli mercenaries have arrived in Ukraine to fight Russia. The false narrative was launched by the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Affairs herself, being picked up by a number of Russian state media agencies.

Marin Gherman
06 May 2022
DISINFORMATION: Romanian troops, alongside Poland, Ukraine and Moldova, are preparing to invade Transnistria
DISINFORMATION: Romanian troops, alongside Poland, Ukraine and Moldova, are preparing to invade Transnistria

Romania, Poland, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova will jointly attack the separatist region of Transnistria, according to disinformation narratives carried by the Romania media. The disinformation was published in Romania in a version that contains a number of false information, which is a typical example of Russian propaganda.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Crimean Tatars support Russia’s military actions on Ukrainian territory
WAR PROPAGANDA: Crimean Tatars support Russia’s military actions on Ukrainian territory

Crimean Tatars support Russia’s war against Ukraine, which the Kremlin has dubbed “a special military operation”, reads a false narrative disseminated by Russian state media. In fact, Tatars have opposed Russian aggression ever since 2014, when Moscow occupied and captured Crimea.

Marin Gherman
03 May 2022
FAKE NEWS: Romania is amassing its military forces on the borders with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine
FAKE NEWS: Romania is amassing its military forces on the borders with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine

A convoy of Romanian military technology was caught on camera while moving towards with borders with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the Russian media writes, referring to a video captured by an amateur with his mobile phone. The footage, used as part of other disinformation narratives as well, serves as an excuse to reiterate the fake news about Romania’s plans to occupy the Republic of Moldova and to attack the Transnistrian separatist region.

Veridica
02 May 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian army is bringing bodies to Lysychansk to simulate a new massacre
WAR PROPAGANDA: The Ukrainian army is bringing bodies to Lysychansk to simulate a new massacre

The Ukrainian army is bringing bodies and destroyed military technology to the town of Lysychansk to stage a new massacre, representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense claim. This is the latest false narrative whereby Moscow is trying to blame Ukraine for the war crimes committed by Russian troops.

Marin Gherman
01 May 2022
FAKE NEWS: The attacks in Transnistria were staged by the West to bring Moldova into NATO and capture Soviet-era ammunition
FAKE NEWS: The attacks in Transnistria were staged by the West to bring Moldova into NATO and capture Soviet-era ammunition

Western states and Ukraine have staged terrorist acts in Transnistria in order to push Moldova into NATO and capture the ammunition stored in the region from the days of the Soviet Union, the Russian media writes. These false narratives are used alongside an older metanarrative about the West’s responsibility for the war in Ukraine.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will take control of its “historical provinces” in Ukraine with the help of the USA
WAR PROPAGANDA: Poland will take control of its “historical provinces” in Ukraine with the help of the USA

Poland will capture its “historical provinces” in Ukraine, taking advantage of Ukraine’s position of weakness, the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence, Sergey Naryshkin says. Amplified by the Russian media, the narrative lacks any substance and is disproved by the actions and declarations of Poland in support of Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.

Marin Gherman
29 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Vladimir Putin convinced the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, that Ukrainian Nazis must be brought before the International Criminal Court
WAR PROPAGANDA: Vladimir Putin convinced the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, that Ukrainian Nazis must be brought before the International Criminal Court

The Russian media writes about the meeting president Vladimir Putin had with UN Secretary General, António Guterres, describing it as a major win for Moscow at international level. According to false narratives published by Kremlin-linked news agencies, Putin convinced Guterres that the Nazis in Ukraine have committed war crimes and that Russia’s “special military operation” abides by UN principles.

Marin Gherman
28 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is planning attacks on Russian-held positions with the use of chemical and biological weapons
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is planning attacks on Russian-held positions with the use of chemical and biological weapons

Ukraine used chemical and biological munition fired by drones, the Russian Ministry of Defense claims, without providing any evidence in this respect. The false narrative was picked up by the Russian media, which is involved in an effort designed to secure public support for the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Marin Gherman
26 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Southern Ukraine, liberated from the nationalists, wants to become part of the Russian Federation
WAR PROPAGANDA: Southern Ukraine, liberated from the nationalists, wants to become part of the Russian Federation

The inhabitants of regions in southern Ukraine are calling for the unification with Russia, after being liberated from the occupation of Ukrainian nationalists, the Russian media writes. The narrative is not based on any research and is part of Russia’s wider war propaganda.

Marin Gherman
22 Apr 2022
FAKE NEWS: Ukraine and the US have tried to pull Romania into the war with Russia
FAKE NEWS: Ukraine and the US have tried to pull Romania into the war with Russia

Ukraine's military intelligence service, along with the United States, has tried to trick Romania into sending special forces to Kherson, near Crimea, to be attacked by the Russians. The story was launched in Bucharest.

WAR PROPAGANDA: French gendarmes will cover up the traces of Ukraine’s crimes in Bucha
WAR PROPAGANDA: French gendarmes will cover up the traces of Ukraine’s crimes in Bucha

The Russian media writes that Ukraine is responsible for the hundreds of civilians found dead in Bucha, and in order to cover up these crimes, Kyiv has called on French gendarmes for help. In fact, French specialists only arrived in Ukraine to examine and collect evidence of the war crimes committed by Russia.

Marin Gherman
20 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: The banning of Russian army symbols is an insult to Moldova's history and values
DISINFORMATION: The banning of Russian army symbols is an insult to Moldova's history and values

Moldovans must be grateful to the USSR because they were liberated in 1945 and were later able to found a state. The narrative, launched after the Republic of Moldova banned symbols associated with the Russian army and the invasion of Ukraine, ignores the fact that the USSR was an aggressor at the beginning of World War II, and at the end of it became an occupying power.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky admitted Ukraine started the conflict with Russia
WAR PROPAGANDA: Zelensky admitted Ukraine started the conflict with Russia

The Russian media is disseminating propaganda narratives, according to which Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in an interview to the BBC that Ukraine was the one that started the conflict with Russia, involving NATO member states in the war as well. In fact, Zelensky’s words were taken out of context and given a tendentious interpretation.

Marin Gherman
15 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is not rebuilding Kharkiv because it knows it will be annexed by Russia
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine is not rebuilding Kharkiv because it knows it will be annexed by Russia

Telegram accounts in Russia and the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are disseminating propaganda narratives, according to which Kyiv leaders are starting to understand Kharkiv will unite with Russia, which is why Ukraine is not investing in the reconstruction of this oblast. In fact, Ukraine has ruled out the concession of any territory, but it cannot start reconstructing its cities as long as they are still being bombed.

Marin Gherman
15 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: The EU pursues imperialist policies, and the states on its periphery, like Romania, are exploited by the strong ones, from the center.
DISINFORMATION: The EU pursues imperialist policies, and the states on its periphery, like Romania, are exploited by the strong ones, from the center.

The European Union is becoming an empire in which peripheral countries are being used for the interests of the strongest Member States. This false narrative has been promoted by Adrian Severin, a former politician who served time in prison for corruption.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia have called for the city’s annexation to the People’s Republic of Donetsk
WAR PROPAGANDA: The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia have called for the city’s annexation to the People’s Republic of Donetsk

The inhabitants of Zaporizhzhia has asked that their city be included in the People’s Republic of Donetsk, the Russian media writes. This is a fabrication – there has never been a request in this sense.

Marin Gherman
12 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION:  NATO will not defend its members in the event of a conflict with Russia
DISINFORMATION: NATO will not defend its members in the event of a conflict with Russia

NATO is a weak organization that, in the event of a conflict with Russia, will not even defend its own members, as it has not defended Ukraine, writes in a comment ehomd.info, a web page blocked by the Intelligence and Security Service after the start of the war in Ukraine for spreading fake news.

Veridica
11 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Kyiv is torturing war prisoners and refuses to observe the Geneva Convention
DISINFORMATION: Kyiv is torturing war prisoners and refuses to observe the Geneva Convention

Kyiv has officially refused to comply with the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war and Russian soldiers are being “tortured” by Ukrainian “neo-Nazis”. The false narrative has been launched by the Russian Ministry of Defense and distributed by the Russian media.

Marin Gherman
09 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: US experts believe that the massacre in Bucha is “Ukrainian propaganda” made-up
WAR PROPAGANDA: US experts believe that the massacre in Bucha is “Ukrainian propaganda” made-up

The Russian press is spreading false narratives about the atrocities in Bucha, using various US “experts” to illustrate their arguments about “a provocation staged by Ukraine”.

Marin Gherman
08 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Zelensky conditions the right of the Romanian community in Ukraine on Bucharest’s help
DISINFORMATION: Zelensky conditions the right of the Romanian community in Ukraine on Bucharest’s help

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes the protection of the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine conditional on the aid that Romania should provide to the Kyiv authorities in this war.

FAKE NEWS: The USA is sending to Ukraine Afghan military who fled their Taliban-occupied country
FAKE NEWS: The USA is sending to Ukraine Afghan military who fled their Taliban-occupied country

The Russian media is distributing propaganda narratives, according to which the USA will deploy former military of the Afghan armed forces to Ukraine. In fact, the USA has not and will not deploy troops to the territory of Ukraine in the context of the war with Russia.

Marin Gherman
06 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: Ukrainian refugees take advantage of Moldovans’ hospitality
DISINFORMATION: Ukrainian refugees take advantage of Moldovans’ hospitality

Ukrainian refugees are aggressive and disturbing, and the hosts are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with them. In the Republic of Moldova, they vandalize Soviet monuments and pick up fights with the locals, writes the Russian publication mk.ru, citing social media, but without providing any proof for such allegations. In the Republic of Moldova, several such pieces of disinformation have been debunked by the media.

Veridica
04 Apr 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: 95% of Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, says the Luhansk separatist leader Marat Bashirov.
WAR PROPAGANDA: 95% of Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, says the Luhansk separatist leader Marat Bashirov.

Most Ukrainians are waiting to be liberated by Russia, which has been forced to launch a special operation and is the victim of Ukraine’s aggression, says the Luhansk separatist leader. These false narratives are amplified by the Russian media.

Marin Gherman
01 Apr 2022
DISINFORMATION: NATO is fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian
DISINFORMATION: NATO is fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian

NATO / US are forcing Ukraine to fight against Russia for the latter to be defeated and Vladimir Putin overthrown. The narrative falls into the category of Russian propaganda that seeks to shift responsibility for the war from the aggressor to the victim (Ukraine) and its supporters (NATO). In Romania, the narrative is promoted by Ion Cristoiu, an active promoter of pro-Russia disinformation in the public space.

WAR PROPAGANDA: The UN supports the genocide targeting Russian speakers in Ukraine
WAR PROPAGANDA: The UN supports the genocide targeting Russian speakers in Ukraine

The Russian media accuses the UN of having allegedly encouraged the “genocide” organized by Ukrainian “Nazis” against Russian speakers in Ukraine, since the Security Council did not adopt the resolution regarding the ceasefire proposed by Moscow. The UN General Assembly previous adopted a resolution – ignored by Russia – in which it called for a termination of the conflict.

Marin Gherman
29 Mar 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: A Russian official has called for the “denazification” of the Baltic States, Poland, the Republic of Moldova and Kazakhstan
WAR PROPAGANDA: A Russian official has called for the “denazification” of the Baltic States, Poland, the Republic of Moldova and Kazakhstan

A local official from Moscow has called for the denazification of Poland, the Baltic States, the Republic of Moldova and Kazakhstan, by applying the same method used in the case of Ukraine, namely a Russian military intervention. The Russian state media, agencies such as TASS or RIA Novosti, have ignored the initiative.

Veridica News
28 Mar 2022
DISINFORMATION: The mines launched by Ukraine could blow up the Black Sea, causing a cataclysm in Europe
DISINFORMATION: The mines launched by Ukraine could blow up the Black Sea, causing a cataclysm in Europe

The mines Ukraine has planted in the Black Sea could set off the hydrogen sulfide deposits in the sea and thus cause a cataclysm in Europe. The false narrative was promoted in Romania by Sorin Roșca Stănescu on Cozmin Gușă’s radio show. Both have previously fostered disinformation and fake news and have aligned themselves to Russia’s positions.

WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian forces have destroyed Mariupol
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian forces have destroyed Mariupol

Mariupol has been destroyed by Ukrainian (nationalist) forces in the city, desperate for not getting any reinforcements from Kyiv, the Russian government media writes. The narrative is meant to draw attention away from the fact that the Russian army shelled the city systematically, without caring about killing civilians or causing damage.

Marin Gherman
24 Mar 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA: To drag NATO into the war, Ukraine will attack the United States Embassy in Lviv and will blame Russia for it
WAR PROPAGANDA: To drag NATO into the war, Ukraine will attack the United States Embassy in Lviv and will blame Russia for it

Ukraine will attack the US Embassy in Lviv and will blame Russia with a view to forcing NATO to enter the war, according to a recent propaganda narrative fostered by the Russian state media, which quotes a statement of the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman.

Marin Gherman
23 Mar 2022
WAR PROPAGANDA:  Ukraine wants to procrastinate the war and uses its citizens as human shields, whereas Russia is protecting civilians
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukraine wants to procrastinate the war and uses its citizens as human shields, whereas Russia is protecting civilians

The Russian media writes Kyiv alone is to blame for the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. The narrative is used alongside older propaganda messages, according to which Moscow is carrying out a special military operation aimed at protecting civilians, whom Kyiv is using as human shields.

Marin Gherman
22 Mar 2022
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