Some false articles on the version of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

[Alex Him]

Bolivian media speculations regarding “Russian meddling”



14 November 2019 - 12:42







On October 24, 2019, a number of Bolivian media outlets reprinted Spanish-language versions of the so-called journalist investigation by the Project website regarding the alleged Russian meddling in the Bolivian presidential election. It is claimed that the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation had sent spin doctors to Bolivia to secure the victory of Evo Morales and protect its own business interests in the country.

Indicatively, the main source of these planted materials is a Russian-language Russophobic website owned by the Baltic-registered company Project, which is financed from abroad. It was founded by former editor in chief of Dozhd television channel, RBC and Forbes websites Roman Badanin. Incidentally, he studied at Stanford University in California and received a scholarship under the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships programme. It seems that the openly anti-Russia nature of Project publications and the use of a standard set of Western propaganda clichés are called upon to recoup the money spent by Washington to train Roman Badanin.

Indicatively, the matter of the alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election surfaced in Bolivian media space immediately after the election results were made public, that is, after former President Evo Morales won the election. Although the opposition did not use the story as a tool for unleashing a tidal wave of violence in the country, this story paved the way for instigating protest sentiments.

The groundless nature of these accusations is obvious. Insinuations about Russia’s election meddling are a propaganda cliché of the Russophobic media, despite the fact that no proof had ever been provided. But, if anyone presents real facts concerning violations of Bolivian legislation, then we would be ready to review them in line with the existing bilateral legal assistance mechanisms.



https://diariodecuba.com/internacion...5105_3538.html

https://www.proekt.media/investigati...s-rosatom-esp/

https://www.radiofides.com/es/2019/1...ia-en-bolivia/

https://www.eldiario.net/movil/?n=68&a=2019&m=11&d=05

https://www.brujuladigital.net/polit...de-evo-morales

https://www.pressreader.com/bolivia/...81633897045116

https://www.infobae.com/america/amer...deracion-rusa/

https://www.abc.es/internacional/abc...4_noticia.html

https://ahoradigital.net/2019/11/03/...edes-sociales/

https://www.paginasiete.bo/ideas/201...da-236276.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/nedostovernie-pub...ent/id/3898387

[Alex Him]

Anti-Russia article in Japanese newspaper Nikkei



22 November 2019 - 11:15







On October 25, 2019, Japanese newspaper Nikkei published an article titled “Ankara’s rapprochement with Moscow, accepted by Trump, to affect NATO unity.” The article perorates on the growing threat Russia poses to European countries, alleging that our country is in the process of deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

This statement is a lie. Despite the unilateral withdrawal by the United States from the INF Treaty and its demise, in keeping with the instruction by President of Russia Vladimir Putin all actions related to developing, producing and deploying intermediate-range and shorter-range ground-based missiles will be undertaken only as a response to similar actions. Russia will not deploy them in the regions until US-made weapons of this kind are deployed there.

We note that Nikkei, a Japanese media outlet, is deliberately whipping up anti-Russian sentiments. We call on the editorial board of this Japanese media outlet to treat the content it publishes with greater caution and avoid misrepresentation and distortions when reporting on Russia’s foreign policy.



https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO5...21C1FF1000?s=4




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/nedostovernie-pub...ent/id/3909074

[Alex Him]

Apropos of a series of anti-Russian publications in El Pais, Spain



29 November 2019 - 18:23







On November 21, the Spanish newspaper, El Pais, published a series of articles that give a shot in the arm to the half-forgotten theme of Russian meddling in Spain’s internal affairs in connection with the Catalan events.

Apart from allegations about the complicity of the Russian secret services in the so-called “sovereignisation process” in Catalonia, they repeat speculations about Russia’s attempts to weaken the EU by way of an intentional dissemination of disinformation and fakes in Europe. It is also claimed that Spain has supposedly refused to cooperate with Russia in the field of cybersecurity.

We would like to note that these claims were refuted by acting Foreign Minister of Spain Josep Borrell in his remarks to the press in Madrid on November 21. He called these allegations “sheer lies” and a “figment of hectic imagination.” We fully share his assessment. Moreover, we regard the El Pais publications as an attempt to undermine the successfully developing Russian-Spanish cooperation, including in the sphere of cybersecurity and anti-disinformation.



https://elpais.com/politica/2019/11/...25_237776.html

https://elpais.com/politica/2019/11/...07_317498.html

https://elpais.com/politica/2019/11/...22_659075.html



Comment by Russian Ambassador to Spain Yury Korchagin:

https://spain.mid.ru/ru/web/spain_ru...U/web/spain_ru




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3925581

[Alex Him]

Publication of fake screenshot of Izvestia newspaper



2 December 2019 - 11:36







On November 21, a piece of fake material posted in the Libyan online media was complemented with what they claimed is a screenshot of the newspaper Izvestia.

According to it, Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj allegedly held secret talks with commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar. The Libyan groups they head are waging fierce hostilities against each other.

The material published by the Libyan media retold an article that was allegedly posted by Izvestia on November 20 and was complemented with a “screenshot” of the newspaper’s front page.

A comparison of Izvestia’s real and presumed front pages shows that the Libyan “screenshot” has nothing in common with the original and that it is therefore a complete fake. This is a glaring example of how the media are used in the global information war, when one of Russia’s top five newspapers is cited as a source allegedly posting disinformation.



https://cutt.ly/2e16LUf



https://iz.ru/sites/default/files/pd...20_11_2019.pdf




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3927987

[Alex Him]

Anti-Russia fake news in Danish media



3 December 2019 - 09:40







On November 12, 2019, Politiken, a Danish newspaper, published an article titled “Fabricated letter by a minister designed to sow division between Denmark and the US central to misinformation campaign.” The expert cited by the article’s authors alleges that Russia was involved in fabricating a letter by Ane Lone Bagger, Minister of Education, Culture, Church and Foreign Affairs of Greenland, to US Senator Tom Cotton asking him to provide more financial support for holding a referendum on Greenland’s independence.

Publications of this kind are irresponsible and groundless fraud that intentionally distorts Russia’s actual policy in the Arctic.

The Russian Federation controls the largest Arctic zone, and has invariably regarded the Arctic as a territory of peace, constructive cooperation and neighbourly relations. Our country has been consistent in its efforts to promote a positive and unifying agenda, and stands for more international cooperation in the region, keeping these relations politics-free and focused on achieving tangible results.

Russia is interested in working closely with its partners within the framework of international law, with respect and due regard for each other’s interests. Russia has never interfered and is not interfering in relationships between Arctic states.

We believe that a prominent publication like Politiken should not tarnish its image by publishing provocative misinformation of this kind thus playing into the hands of those seeking to undermine stability and trust in the Arctic region.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3928890

[Alex Him]

US media spread misinformation about Russian Aerospace Forces’ operations in Syria



9 December 2019 - 17:33







On November 14, The New York Times published an article, U.N. Query on Syria Hospital Bombings May Be Undermined by Russia Pressure, Limited Scope.

The article focuses on the alleged pressure exerted by Russia on the Board of Enquiry created by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as it says, to investigate attacks on Syrian hospitals in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Allegedly, Russia is suppressing attempts to publish the board’s findings.

This publication is a fake, a politicised and unprofessional "investigation" based on juggled facts and unsubstantiated accusations.

International experts are well aware that the Board of Enquiry was created by the UN Secretary-General on August 1, 2019 not to establish anyone's guilt in specific war crimes. Its purpose is to study the facts associated with isolated incidents in the Idlib de-escalation zone and draft measures to improve the criteria used by various UN agencies in the conflict zone (in particular, Syria and Yemen) to verify and identify civilian infrastructure that underlie the deconfliction. It is known that the deconfliction mechanism is still in the works. It has not been properly fine-tuned and has no legal force. Russia has repeatedly expressed its opinion in this regard during UN Security Council meetings on the situation in Syria and during contacts with the media.

There is simply no such thing as secret Russian pressure or attempts to mislead the experts. There is the clearly defined position of the state supported by proper arguments. So, at a news conference on September 16, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya once again presented a detailed report outlining the deconfliction mechanism’s specific shortcomings.

Most likely, The New York Times editors won’t be interested in "inconvenient" facts, since they will be at odds with the tone set by the political establishment in Washington. The results of these journalistic efforts are logical, and what we have before us is another example of fake news.

Given this, The New York Times is not paying any attention to or does not conduct its own investigations into the almost daily terrorist attacks by groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or its offshoots and radicals who kill Syrian civilians in Idlib, attack schools, medical institutions, refugee camps and other civilian infrastructure. The civilians in northwestern Syria suffer from the atrocities of the terrorists, whom their foreign sponsors even try to pass off as “moderate opposition” or “local administration.” However, these "local authorities" severely quell civilian protests. For example, residents in the town of Kafr Takharim, who expressed disagreement with the arbitrariness of the self-proclaimed authorities, have been besieged by militants for many days now, and have no connection with the outside world.

In addition, readers will be unable to find The New York Times articles about violations of international humanitarian law and the indiscriminate shelling by the US and its allies of the cities and towns in northeastern Syria during an operation against ISIS, which, as it turns out, has not been defeated after all. The newspaper is also silent about the arbitrary actions of the US-sponsored militants from the Magavir al-Saura group who keep refugees at the IDP camp Rukban. These refugees became hostages inside the 55-km “security zone” around Al-Tanf, which was arbitrarily created by the United States.

We expect The New York Times to publish genuine journalistic investigations, rather than articles sponsored by the Washington masterminds.



https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/14/w...l-bombing.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3944341

[Alex Him]

A series of Russophobic publications about Kaliningrad in Western media



10 December 2019 - 15:37







We took note of a number of publications in Western media, which force "serious" concerns on their readers regarding the security threat to NATO member countries allegedly coming from the Russian city of Kaliningrad, which is allegedly filled with most advanced weapons.

As is customary, Western media are trying to instil the image of the “Russian aggressor” among its audiences. A number of publications cite General Jeffrey Harrigian, Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe, saying that the Pentagon has a plan to break through the multi-layer air defence of the Kaliningrad Region in the event of Russia’s invasion of the Baltic states. However, the fact that improving military capabilities in the exclave is dictated solely by considerations of defence and maintaining the balance of forces is hushed up.

Whipping up the notion about the mythical “threat from the East” serves as an excuse for increasing NATO countries’ military budgets, as well as for the United States’ speedy deployment of armaments and troops in Europe, including in the immediate vicinity of the Russian border. Washington and other NATO countries are simultaneously using destabilising moves and offensive rhetoric in order to shift the blame for their irresponsible actions to Moscow.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about the continued buildup of NATO’s military infrastructure, including strategic infrastructure, and its proximity to our border. In particular, the deployment in Europe of the US Aegis Ashore systems, which can be used to launch defence missiles and medium-range cruise missiles or other attack weapons, causes serious concern. Despite the destructive US policy on the INF Treaty and the deliberate scrapping by Washington with the support of its allies of this crucial international treaty, Russia’s actions in developing, producing and deploying medium and shorter-range ground-based missiles will be solely reciprocal. Russia will not deploy them in the regions until such US-made weapons are deployed there. This approach is equally true of the Kaliningrad Region.

Once again, we are drawing the attention of the Western media to the fact that anti-Russian propaganda undermines European security and stability. Such fake news is most likely aimed at manipulating public opinion in order to push through the expansionist interests of the US defence industry in Europe.



https://nationalinterest.org/blog/bu...rad-base-87066

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/ar...ind-nato-lines

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2...ste-for-europe

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-repor.../28790998.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/here...-baltic-2015-3

https://www.sasapost.com/kaliningrad/




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3945104

[Alex Him]

Media allegations regarding death of White Helmets founder



13 December 2019 - 16:22







In November, a number of leading Anglo-Saxon media published items on the death of James Le Mesurier, a co-founder of the pseudo-humanitarian organisation, the White Helmets. The keynote of these publications is that Russia stands to gain the most from his death. However, some analysts have defied the Anglo-Saxon mainstream media, arguing that Western security services could be responsible for Le Mesurier’s death.

Over a period of several years, Russia has been urging the international community to take a closer look at the White Helmets’ ties with terrorist organisations in Syria and at the criminal activities of some of its members.

Senior Russian diplomats have made use of international platforms, including the UN, to alert the world to the danger of the White Helmets. In the spring of 2018, a unique media streaming attended by direct participants in the “relief operations” that had been staged and filmed by the White Helmets was organised at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. These ordinary Syrians actually risked their life and safety to testify against the White Helmets and to share their stark experiences of “interacting” with that notorious organisation. However, the leading Western media chose to ignore that briefing or to denounce it as lies.

Several NGOs are investigating the White Helmets. One of the best is the Foundation for the Study of Democracy led by Maxim Grigoriev. An incriminating file exposing fake chemical attacks, looting, plunder, trade in human organs, support of terrorism and other “activities” of the White Helmets in Syria is available on the foundation’s website http://democracyfund.ru/publicism.php?id=383.

In light of the recent events, we would like to make it perfectly clear that Russia, as well as the Syrian Government, wanted more than any other country for James Le Mesurier to remain in good health as long as possible, so that he would be able to reveal the truth about the White Helmets. He could provide irrefutable proof exposing the White Helmets’ provocations. But this definitely did not suit the group’s sponsors. James Le Mesurier, a write-off who knew too much about the White Helmets, has been taken off the scene.

The Western media’s attempts to put the blame in the case of James Le Mesurier on Russia look like yet another political contract from those who continue to collaborate with the terrorists and to divide them into “good guys and bad guys.” But the history of al-Qaeda shows that such intrigues do not end well and that they eventually backfire on the inspirer.



https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/w...mets-dead.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...576_story.html

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/o...es-le-mesurier

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Mesurier.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3955191

[Alex Him]

Anti-Russia story in Le Monde French daily



18 December 2019 - 10:44







We noted a story published on December 5 in the French newspaper Le Monde, Haute-Savoie, the Base of Russian Spies. The daily replicates insinuations about the alleged subversive activities of the Russian military intelligence in Europe, fuelling speculations about some “transshipment and logistics” centre of the Russian GRU military intelligence special unit in France.

It is noteworthy that the reporter cites the British investigative journalism agency Bellingcat we know from the so-called Skripal case, as well as unnamed sources in the French intelligence services. As regards the Bellingcat pseudo-media, this group of bloggers has been repeatedly found planting fake news, not to mention the fact that most of its materials have a clear anti-Russia focus. Citing anonymous sources in the special services has become a new trend in the “spy publications” in the Western media – because of the lack of evidence, they cite sources that cannot be authenticated.

We have also noticed that the story mentions in passing that the French, British and Swiss intelligence services collaborating on the investigation have not found any caches with weapons or equipment, nor any possible accomplices of Russia’s alleged intelligence unit in France. So the only argument left to prove their conspiracy theory is the notorious “highly likely.” Yet, we regret to note that the complete lack of evidence has not stopped the publication of this openly Russophobic piece abounding with propaganda fakes.

We also believe that the timing for plating this information was chosen for a reason. The article was published ahead of the Normandy format summit and had a clear goal of damaging Russia's reputation, at the same time discrediting the policy of French President Emmanuel Macron to normalise relations with Moscow.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly pointed out the Western media bias to serving the interests of a certain lobby group: “As to the rumours spread by our US colleagues, for some reason no questions are asked when NATO countries’ servicemen, who had never been invited, officially appear all over the world. They seem to be present there as a fact and have the right to be there. But as soon as something occurs somewhere, some Bellingcat and other NGOs will plant materials about Russia doing something wrong somewhere again. I read that a spy ring has been discovered in Haute-Savoie. Then it was written, actually, that no spying activities had been recorded but it is a spy ring anyway.”

We regard the article as misinformation aimed at supporting the myth of the Russian threat in the minds of Europeans. Le Monde publishes speculations and conjectures aimed at convincing the readers that all this is true and serious, without any real evidence or weighty arguments. Russia does not and did not have intentions to engage in any kind of destabilising operations in Europe. This does not correspond to our foreign policy, national interests, or our understanding of how relations between states are built. Russia respects the sovereignty of other countries and does not interfere in their affairs.



https://www.lemonde.fr/international...1648_3210.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3960877

[Alex Him]

Series of anti-Russia stories in French media on Zelimkhan Khangoshvili’s killing in Germany



23 December 2019 - 11:46







On December 4-6, 2019, leading French media published a number of articles on former Chechen extremist Zelimkhan Khangoshvili’s death in Germany. Le Monde, Le Figaro and Liberation are running stories about ‘Moscow’s involvement’ in this affair described as a “contract killing committed on the order of the pro-Kremlin Chechen regime with organisational assistance from the Russian authorities.”

The alleged French connection seems to have triggered an escalation of the spy hysteria: the suspect travelled to Germany with a multiple entry Schengen visa allegedly issued by the French consulate in Moscow. According to Le Monde, the French Foreign Ministry has already begun an official internal investigation to verify the authenticity of the information submitted by the applicant. However, the French media did not wait for the official results before beginning to spread unsubstantiated speculation about Russian special services’ alleged involvement.

Typically, for lack of better evidence, the French media cite the disreputable NGO Bellingcat along with some anonymous sources in the British and French intelligence agencies.

The patterns we are observing, attempts to spite Russia with unfounded accusations whenever the opportunity arises, look alarming. At the same time, our requests to provide evidence produce vague statements in the ‘highly likely’ spirit. We regret to note that the French media has followed in the steps of the British press, using the dirty information campaign launched against Russia following the so-called Skripal case as a model.

We are confident that the deliberate effort to demonise Russia benefits only a certain group of people interested in escalating tensions between Russia and Europe. The information campaign intensified after Emmanuel Macron announced his new foreign policy priorities including a thorough reconsideration of relations with Russia. Obviously, the deep state the French President mentioned in August 2019 is making every effort to prevent the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Moscow and Paris.



https://www.lemonde.fr/international...1656_3210.html

https://www.lemonde.fr/international...1770_3210.html

https://www.lefigaro.fr/internationa...cusee-20191204

https://www.liberation.fr/planete/20...emande_1767227

https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/e...erlin-20191206

https://www.lemonde.fr/international...1911_3210.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3975386

[Alex Him]

Disinformation in Nezavisimoye Voennoye Obozreniye newspaper



30 December 2019 - 22:23







On December 27, 2019, the Nezavisimoye Voennoye Obozreniye newspaper published an article titled Shock is the Best Therapy, which cites an alleged statement by the Ministry that “the transition of the Crimean Peninsula to Russia took place under the UN Decolonisation Convention.”

The Ministry’s official position, which has been voiced many times, is that the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Crimea and its unification with the Russian Federation were a legitimate exercise of the right of the people of Crimea to self-determination following an armed coup in Ukraine with foreign support.

There is no such thing as the UN Decolonisation Convention. Back in 1960, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Of course, the UN mandate includes issues concerning decolonisation, but this has nothing to do with the Crimean story. There have been no statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry or any other official Russian sources that Crimea’s unification with Russia should be regarded in this context.



http://nvo.ng.ru/realty/2019-12-27/8_1076_shock.html




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3989107

[Alex Him]

Distortion of facts by the Crimea: Realities radio (project of the US Radio Liberty’s Ukrainian service)



31 December 2019 - 16:30







The December 10 broadcast of the Crimea: Realities radio was dedicated to the current situation in Crimea. The hosts stressed that the Russian authorities are allegedly denying entry to Crimea to foreign officials, international observers and monitoring groups, because they do not recognise the reunification of the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol with the Russian Federation.

We would like to point out that in fact the situation is precisely the opposite. Russia has been inviting foreign representatives to Crimea in order to give them a chance to see for themselves that all attempts to reject or ignore the decision made freely at the 2014 referendum are inappropriate and clearly contrived. We are confident that any impartial observer will come to the same conclusion. For example, this is the opinion held by members of the Friends of Crimea International Association established in 2018. It is noteworthy that new friendship clubs are constantly appearing: there are currently such clubs in more than 20 countries on three continents.

Contrary to the backward position of the post-Maidan authorities in Kiev, the tourist flow from Ukraine to Crimea is growing annually and now accounts for about 16 percent of the total. This year, up to 15,000 Ukrainian tourists passed through the border checkpoints every day during the high season. Considering this, how can anyone talk about bans on entry to Crimea?

We will list just several eloquent facts about the international organisations whose access to Crimea has caused such concern among the US media project’s journalists.

During talks with Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen held in Moscow in July 2019, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underscored Russia’s openness in contacts with foreign partners regarding the rights of Muslims and followers of other religions in Crimea. In this context, the Russian side reaffirmed the invitation for the Secretary-General to visit Crimea in the spring of 2020. It is expected that Yousef Al-Othaimeen will lean about the life of the Crimean Tatar community and take part in the opening ceremony of the cathedral mosque in Simferopol.

In September 2019, Swiss socialist Manuel Tornare, PACE rapporteur on the current situation of Crimean Tatars, received an invitation from Chairperson of the Russian delegation to PACE, Deputy State Duma Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy to visit Crimea and see the real situation in the peninsula for himself.

At present, the time and modality of the visit to Crimea by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic are being worked out.

Let us say once again that Russia is ready to continue dialogue with interstate bodies and to receive their missions in Crimea, if they are sent as part of the organisation’s mandate and in accordance with all the procedures applicable when visiting Russia.

Realities radio (project of the US Radio Liberty’s Ukrainian service)

Realities radio (project of the US Radio Liberty’s Ukrainian service)

The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3989446

[Alex Him]

Apropos of Polish media speculations regarding the Fifth World Holocaust Forum



13 January 2020 - 15:49







The Polish information space is awash with false information on the Fifth World Holocaust Forum to be held in Israel on January 23 of this year. According to Polish media writers, this event is organised by a “private foundation” rather than the official Israeli authorities.

Please note that the Fifth World Holocaust Forum is held as part of an international conference titled Remembering the Holocaust: Fighting Antisemitism. The forum is a major international event held under the patronage of the President of the State of Israel, rather than a private initiative. This event will be attended by the heads of state and government of more than 40 countries, including the United States, France, Austria, Greece, Italy and Ukraine. President of Russia Vladimir Putin will take part in the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at the invitation of the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin. The invitation was sent to Russia back in December 2018 and considered in accordance with the existing procedure. Vladimir Putin informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his readiness to travel to Israel to attend the forum on September 12, 2019, when they were holding talks in Sochi.

The campaign to discredit the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in the Polish information space looks as an absurd attempt to justify Polish President Andrzej Duda’s decision to refrain from participating in the forum under a far-fetched, politicised pretext.



https://wpolityce.pl/swiat/481313-sw...polska-uciekla

https://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/swiat...olokaustu.html

https://m.niezalezna.pl/305207-szewa...mi-nie-wybacza




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/3993127

[Alex Him]

Whipping up anti-Russian sentiments in the Dutch media



20 January 2020 - 12:21







On December 30, 2019, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an article called “Russians are allegedly behind the cyber attack on Maastricht University,” featuring an opinion on the Russian hacker’s alleged attack on the university. The de Volkskrant daily, as well as some electronic publications picked up the allegations about the “Fancy Bear hackers from the Russian military intelligence agency GRU” in their publications of January 14, 2020.

It is noteworthy that at first, journalists refrained from any specific references to the alleged offenders. But on the New Year’s Eve, the media coverage changed radically. Everybody began talking about the “TA 505 group of Russian hackers” and blaming it for the attack. The opinions of a certain US cybercrime expert Vitali Kremez and Dutch IT security expert Bastiaan Bakker were cited as the source. In addition, the publications reported that in early 2019, France’s special services “found a connection between the TA 505 group and the hacking of software used by Maastricht University.” They also indicated that these criminals had also hacked Antwerp University and a French academic hospital.

The Dutch observers cited two main “motives” for the crime: stealing valuable personal and scientific data or receiving a ransom payment for unblocking the university’s computers. None of these versions has been proven yet.

It is quite telling that representatives of Maastricht University were not given the opportunity to speak to the press. No university representatives mentioned the catastrophic scale of digital data stealing or the demands for a ransom.

We believe that we are dealing here with another example of an unscrupulous anti-Russian information campaign that follows the infamous “highly likely” pattern. The authors of this provocation intentionally conceal the fact that many Russian universities have been maintaining strong ties with Maastricht University for decades; they include the Tomsk National Research University, the Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod University and the Open University Skolkovo. Maastricht University employs Russian experts and provides education to dozens of Russian students. Hence the question: does The Hague really want to destroy this small island of stability in the Russia-Netherlands cultural and humanitarian cooperation?

Regrettably, the representatives of the Dutch so-called free press in search of a “Russian footprint” have accused Russian “hackers” of using Dutch web resources to make cyber attacks in order to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. To prove their point, they tell scary stories about the Fancy Bear group of hackers, allegedly connected with the Russian security services, and blame this group for almost all large cyber attacks and hackings that have happened in the past years, from the US to the Netherlands.

It is absolutely obvious that such media speculation has no bearing on reality and is aimed at whipping up Russophobic sentiments in Dutch society, at launching a “witch hunt” and spy mania, which, unfortunately have been a distinctive feature of the current political elites in the Netherlands for several years. They have been deliberately destroying the formerly flourishing relations between our countries and imposing their toxic impression of Russia and everything connected with it on their people.



https://www.trouw.nl/binnenland/russ...icht~baa96b9d/

https://www.nu.nl/tech/6023622/rusla...tml?redirect=1

https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-ach...iden~bcbfa036/




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4002178

[Alex Him]

Fake report in the Turkish newspaper Sozcu on the Cyprus settlement



23 January 2020 - 18:43







On January 20, 2020, the Turkish newspaper Sozcu ran an article alleging that Moscow could make “a deal” with Ankara on the mutual recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Abkhazia. The article cites a former army official in Turkey who suggests that Russia is allegedly interested in the possibility of establishing a navy base in the northern part of the island to uphold its own economic interests in the region.

We would like to remind the journalists at Sozcu that we have always adhered to a position of principle on the Cyprus issue that advocates the development of a solution based on the UN Security Council resolutions to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. We uphold our approach in international platforms, including support for the effective mandate of the UN Armed Forces in Cyprus.

It is obvious that those behind this fabrication are trying to drive a wedge into our relations with Cyprus at any cost. At the same time, attempts are being made to discredit Russian business projects in order to discourage our regional partners from participating in mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia.

We urge the masterminds and writers of scandalous stories like this to refrain from inciting hatred in the eastern Mediterranean and to focus on ensuring security and stability in this fragile part of the world, based on international law – indispensable conditions for a normal life.



https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2020/gundem...iddia-5577122/




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4004507

[Alex Him]

Attempt by The Telegraph to rewrite WWII history



28 January 2020 - 10:58







We have taken note of an article published by The Telegraph on January 27, 2020. It is yet another attempt by journalists and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to rewrite the history of WWII and to downplay the role of the Red Army in the liberation of Europe from the Nazi plague.

If Russia did indeed try to rewrite the history of the Holocaust, Israel would have noticed it. But Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said the following when addressing President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people in Jerusalem: “We mustn’t for even one second blur the sacrifice and the contribution of the former Soviet Union,” the men and officers of the Red Army in defeating “the Nazi monster” and saving the world from a horrible tragedy.

In light of the above, we would like to ask The Telegraph to stop faking news and spreading lies.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...caust-history/




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4006076

[Alex Him]

Anti-Russia article published by Greek newspaper Kathimerini



7 February 2020 - 13:31







On January 28, 2020, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini published an interview with Alexandros Massavetas, the author of The Third Rome. Both the interview and the book are filled with false statements and absurd accusations against Russia.

Alexandros Massavetas wants Greek readers to understand “just how serious a geostrategic threat Russia poses.” For many centuries, Russia has been seeking to “undermine the power of Athens” and in doing so relied heavily on the Russian Orthodox Church. The accuser clearly has a sick mind, since he described Russia as an ominous force waging a hybrid war against Greece, manipulating the Greek public opinion in an extremely organised and skilful manner, corrupting influential commentators and blackmailing senior representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church. According to the author, the highest joint achievements that Greece and Russia treasure, as well as bilateral cultural and humanitarian events, including civic forums, festivals and military remembrance events are merely manifestations of outright subversion and interference by Moscow into Greece’s internal affairs.

Alexandros Massavetas went as far as equating the Russian Orthodox Church to radical Islamists arguing that there are Russian Orthodox churches that deny entry to women wearing trousers. He also openly contrasted Russia’s Orthodox tradition to that of Greece. At the same time, he said without any qualms that he could hardly be suspected to disdain towards the Russian Orthodox faith.

Alexandros Massavetas is neither a historian, nor a writer. All he does is writing tourist guides. There are media outlets in Greece that are willing to open their pages to people like him. Such people are ready to go to great lengths to tell outright lies to distort the history Russia shares with Greece, and to present it from a negative standpoint. By doing so, the Greek media once again demonstrate their loyalty to outside forces seeking to drive a wedge between Moscow and Athens.



https://www.kathimerini.gr/1062288/a...ths-or8odo3ias




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4028006

[Alex Him]

A new round of spy mania in Swiss media



26 February 2020 - 09:44







On February 16, the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung ran a story about the first Russian spy sentenced in Switzerland. It spins a yarn about an individual detained in the Swiss Confederation who was believed to be involved in political espionage for Russia.

The reporter, Mischa Aebi, did not cite any facts or any other evidence to support his allegations. While hurling such serious accusations, he did not offer any official comments from the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) or the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland. Aebi’s assumption that the person in question is a Russian national and an agent of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, presumably one of the three Russian spy services operating in Switzerland, is based exclusively on anonymous sources. In other words, the journalist is using unverifiable and hence unreliable information. It is regrettable that this major flaw in the report did not stop SonntagsZeitung from publishing yet another anti-Russia, fake propaganda item.

It is even more regrettable that this absurd spin has encouraged several other resources to revive the long dead story of Russian spies in Switzerland.



https://m.tagesanzeiger.ch/articles/12656278




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4059384

[Alex Him]

Swedish media plant another anti-Russia false story



6 March 2020 - 13:49







On February 14, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri published an interview with Dr Oscar Jonsson, (PhD from the War Studies Department) and an expert on Russia, titled Russia Sanctions Attacks. He accuses Russia of destabilising democratic Western regimes and launching a hybrid war against Sweden in retribution for Stockholm’s active support for extending sanctions.

The expertise of Mr Jonsson, who calls himself a specialist on Russia, is questionable. In 2017-2018, the newly-qualified Doctor of War Science completed a course at a Swedish military academy and published just one booklet on the Russian military doctrine in 2019. This hardly proves a high level of professionalism.

We regret to note that Mr Jonsson uses only Russophobic clichés, without providing any specific facts or well-substantiated evidence. We consider all of the publication’s assertions to be groundless and slanderous.

We note that this publication has contributed to maintaining the desired level of Russophobic sentiment in Swedish society.

Intimidation through the use of a fictional Russian threat and spy mania is detrimental to Russian-Swedish relations. We are urging the publication to choose its sources more carefully, so as not to mislead its readers.



https://www.di.se/nyheter/ryssland-i...g-med-sverige/




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4076574

[Alex Him]

Le Monde’s refusal to publish a refutation of fake news about Russia’s Foreign Ministry



11 March 2020 - 12:30







We have to write once again about the failure of the leading French newspaper Le Monde to honour its commitment to give a party damaged by inaccurate information, in this particular case the Foreign Ministry of Russia, an opportunity to publish its reply in the newspaper.

On January 23, Le Monde published an item by its former Moscow correspondent Isabelle Mandraud claiming that the Foreign Ministry of Russia had complicated the issue of visas and accreditation for foreign journalists.

On February 6, the Russian Embassy in Paris forwarded a letter from the Ministry’s Information and Press Department to Le Monde Editorial Director Jerome Fenoglio refuting the information published in the newspaper.

For the next two weeks, the French newspaper neither replied to nor published that letter, while the Le Monde readers continued to believe the inaccurate information. Following the numerous requests made by the Russian Embassy in Paris to the newspaper, we received a note saying that they had read our letter with great interest but had no desire to publish it.

In this way the newspaper has not only denied the foreign ministry of a foreign state the right to publish a refutation of a misrepresentation but has also violated the key principle of journalistic ethics. Refusal to give the concerned party an opportunity to reply to a newspaper item that contains inaccurate or distorted information is a violation of several international documents, for example, the Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists (1954), the Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists (1971) and the Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists (2019).

Since Le Monde has refused to publish our letter despite our repeated requests, including those made publicly during briefings by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, we have decided to post it on our information resources.




The source of information - https://www.mid.ru/en/nedostovernie-...ent/id/4081784