DISINFO: Kyiv plans a provocation in the Baltic Sea using Russian-made sea mines to drag NATO into an armed conflict with Moscow
SUMMARY
Kyiv is planning to blow up a foreign ship in the Baltic Sea using Russian-made sea mines, which are at Ukraine's disposal, and then blame Moscow for the attack. According to the calculations of Ukrainian and Western intelligence services, such an action will prompt NATO to close Russia’s access to the Baltic Sea. Additionally, the aim of such a provocation from Kyiv is to draw NATO into an armed conflict with Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about false-flag operations and NATO. The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to advance pro-Kremlin messaging portraying the war in Ukraine as a proxy conflict against Russia, thus deflecting Russia’s responsibility for its unprovoked aggression against its neighbour.
The claim is not backed by any evidence. Allegations made by Russia’s intelligence services - as is this one - cannot be considered as such, given their proven history of making unsubstantiated claims based on faked or non-existent proofs, for example about US biolaboratories in Ukraine or the presence of French combat troops on the Ukrainian frontlines.
Accusing others of “false flag operations” and “setups” to increase tensions or cover Russia’s own illicit actions are frequent pro-Kremlin disinformation techniques. Russian authorities and pro-Kremlin outlets frequently make these claims even if nothing emerges afterwards, aiming to reinforce the narrative that Russia is constantly the victim of such operations.
Russian authorities accusing Ukraine of preparing false flag actions without presenting any proof has been a constant throughout the war, including claims about dirty bombs, nuclear provocations, bioweapons, toxic substances and staged atrocities.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Ukraine carried out a nuclear provocation ahead of Munich Security Conference, that Kyiv plotting an attack on a NATO vessel to drag it into war, that West-curated Ukrainian special services are preparing anti-Russian provocations, that Ukraine Preparing a Chemical Provocation to Blame Russia, that Ukraine prepares chemical weapons provocation to accuse Russia in OPCW, that Ukraine is preparing a provocation against Transnistria with the UK and US, that Kyiv is preparing a false flag attack against their own children's facility, or that NATO's Baltic policy could lead to a nuclear war.