DISINFO: Ukraine is a testing ground for struggle between Russian and European vaccines
SUMMARY
The political issue comes before the medical one in Ukraine. This is why Ukraine has become a testing ground for the struggle between Russian and European vaccines. For example, Israel allowed its citizens to choose any vaccines whatsoever recognised by the international community. Ukraine has also become a testing ground for the struggle of transnational corporations where medical tests and marketing are concerned.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring narrative from pro-Kremlin media, claiming that Ukraine should accept Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to save lives and that it is a purely humanitarian issue with no relation to the Russo-Ukrainian war in Donbas.
Sputnik V, despite all Russia’s efforts to promote its benefits, has not been fully tested like other vaccines (read here and here). Therefore, its possible side effects are still the subject of review. The Lancet article published 12 May 2021 raise critical questions about the Sputnik V data for the phase-III clinical trials.
Currently, four vaccines are planned to be used in Ukraine. These are AstraZeneca (Covishield), Sinovac Biotech and Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax. All of them have been thoroughly tested. As for Sputnik V, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in an interview with Bild that Kyiv would not use it for several reasons:
“It has not passed the necessary stages of clinical trials. And the second reason is that we definitely cannot use a vaccine produced by the country with which we have the ongoing military conflict."
Kyiv has made its choice at the official level. Those who are calling for the use of the Russian vaccine are mostly pro-Kremlin politicians. Thus, they are trying to strengthen Russia’s positions within Ukrainian society and portray Moscow as a saviour.
Read more disinformation cases claiming that Sputnik V is better than other vaccines and that the West is trying to denigrate it.