DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
- Outlet: abrag.akwadon.com ( archive, original ) , abudhabi-news.com ( original ) , addresslibya.com ( archive, original ) , afrigatenews.net ( original ) , akhbarlibya ( original ) , akhbarlibya ( original ) , akhbarlibya ( original ) , al-murasil.com ( archive, original ) , alarabyanews.com ( archive, original ) , alarabyanews.com ( archive, original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , albidda.net ( original ) , alderaah-news.net ( original ) , alderaah-news.net ( original ) , alhilalalyoum.com ( archive, original ) , almamar.net ( original ) , almarsad.co ( archive, original ) , almasryalyoum.com ( archive, original ) , alsaaa24.com ( archive, original ) , En.abna24.com ( original ) , arabic.sputniknews.com ( archive, original ) , bald-news.com ( original ) , bald-news.com ( original ) , bald-news.com ( original ) , damaseyes.com ( archive, original ) , dmcnews.org ( original ) , dmcnews.org ( original ) , dmcnews.org ( original ) , dmcnews.org ( original ) , dmcnews.org ( original ) , ea-news.net ( archive, original ) , elaosboa.news ( original ) , elmohafezeen.com ( original ) , emeknes.com ( original ) , eshraag.com ( archive, original ) , event.sy ( original ) , extranews.tv ( original ) , falsoo.com ( archive, original ) , innfrad.com ( archive, original ) , jana-ly.co ( original ) , kachaf.com ( original ) , Khabar Masr ( original ) , libya24.tv ( archive, original ) , libyaakhbar.com ( archive, original ) , libyaakhbar.com ( archive, original ) , libyaakhbar.com ( archive, original ) , libyaakhbar.com ( archive, original ) , lomazoma.com ( original ) , youm7.com ( original ) , mangish.net ( original ) , maspero.eg ( original ) , masress.com ( original ) , masress.com ( original ) , menafn.com ( original ) , mobtada.com ( archive, original ) , nabd.com ( original ) , nabd.com ( original ) , news-sinaa.com ( original ) , news-sinaa.com ( original ) , news-sinaa.com ( original ) , news-sinaa.com ( original ) , news-sinaa.com ( original ) , news.albraq-news.com ( original ) , news.albraq-news.com ( original ) , news.albraq-news.com ( archive, original ) , news.albraq-news.com ( original ) , news.albraq-news.com ( original ) , sana.sy ( archive, original ) , shorouknews.com ( archive, original ) , skay.press ( original ) , thawra.sy ( archive, original ) , uk-arabicnews.com ( original ) , urdupoint.com ( original ) , Wikimsrweb.com ( original ) , yaf3press.net ( archive, original ) , yaf3press.net ( original ) , yaf3press.net ( original ) , yaf3press.net ( original ) , yaf3press.net ( original ) , youm7.com ( original )
- Date of publication: September 21, 2020
- Countries / regions discussed: Libya, Russia
DISINFO: Claims on Russian presence in Libya are based on forged data
SUMMARY
We can say with confidence that the information about “Russian mercenaries” in Libya is mostly based on unverified or forged data aimed at discrediting Russian policy in the Libyan direction. This is clear.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Kremlin-linked mercenary group Wagner presence in Libya, trying to portray information as anti-Russian. The Wagner Group is a private army with ties to the Kremlin and has been operating in Libya since October 2018, according to a report compiled by independent monitors for the UN's Libya sanctions committee. It is a mercenary outfit engaged in conflicts on the Kremlin’s behalf from Ukraine to Syria to the Central African Republic. Bloomberg and Reuters have reported that Wagner contractors assist General Khalifa Haftar. Furthermore, the presence of Russian Wagner Group is an established fact and has been confirmed not only by the Government of National Accord based in Tripoli but also by the US, the UK, the United Nations report which was referenced by media, and the independent Russian outlet Meduza. Additionally, on May 26, 2020, the US Command for Africa (AFRICOM) reported the presence of Russian warplanes in Libya, confirmed by satellite images (see here and here). See similar cases that the presence of Russian mercenaries in Libya is just a rumour and that Russia was never involved in Libya. For more information on the Wagner group, see our report on a Russian attempt to hide evidence of its existence and activities.