DISINFO: The ‘highly likely’ argument is used again to spread lies about Russia
SUMMARY
Again we have the ‘highly likely’ argument, again invented stories against Russia. The Czech Republic followed the perfect screenplay of sci-fi movies that we have already seen before, such as the poisoning of Skripal, Navalny the intoxicated and the electoral interference in other countries. The question is why invent this story right now, why is this aggressive policy needed. Perhaps the goal is to increase pressure and political tensions, or to use this case for Europe to impose more sanctions on Russia or show themselves docile to US requests, or perhaps there are economic motivations. ‘Highly likely’ means “Russia is my enemy and I will lie and to do everything at hand to find a confrontation”, and in this case it doesn’t benefit the Czech Republic: the only beneficiaries are the US, the UK and the economic emporium behind them. It is surprising that some people don’t see these smokescreens, this ‘highly likely’ that generates an immoderate Russophobia. All this has a purpose, which is to damage the image of Russia, pushing it to fall into provocations to create a delicate situation in Europe.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative about Russophobia and Russia being falsely accused by the West, aiming to deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s violations of international law. Contrary to the claim, there is massive evidence of Russia’s involvement in all the mentioned incidents (see our previous debunks on the blowing-up of the Vrbetice ammunitions storage depot, the poisonings of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and electoral interference in other countries).
This is part of a disinformation campaign about the events surrounding the Vrbetice explosion in 2014 and the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Czechia in 2021 after the involvement of Russian state actors was established by Czech authorities. This campaign follows a pattern to the others launched after similar incidents, such as the downing of the MH17 flight or the poisonings of Skripal and Navalny, including official denials despite compelling evidence, the spreading of multiple and often contradictory versions and the promotion of speculations about dark motives behind the accusations.
See other examples in our database, such as claims that an anti-Russian campaign is the real reason behind the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Czechia, that this expulsion is a smokescreen designed by the US, that allegations against Russia are a pretext to target Rosatom, an attempt to influence the upcoming German elections or preparation for an informational Cold War, or that Czechia is ruled by American and British intelligence agencies.
This disinformation message appeared in the same TV programme as the claims that “Accusing Russia of the Vrbetice explosion is an attempt to abort its rapprochement with Europe”, that “Western mainstream media are totally biased, only Russian and Venezuelan outlets tell the truth”, and that “The West wanted the ‘Vietnamisation’ of Ukraine’s conflict but Russia didn’t fall in the trap”.