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Fatima Tlis

Produced by Fatima Tlis

October 06, 2017
Russian Airstrikes in Syria - Aimed Away from Civilians and U.S.-backed Rebels?

The Russian Defense Ministry’s statement consists of several false claims while also revealing that the Kremlin was less than truthful in claiming that Russia does not have troops on the ground in Syria.
September 22, 2017
Pushkov: Eastern Ukraine 'a Zone of Peace and Tranquility'

The Russian authorities’ insistence that the mandate of UN peacekeepers in Ukraine should be limited to the area along the “borders” between Ukraine and the conflict zone in the eastern part of the country is based on their claim that the region is a “zone of peace and tranquility.” That claim is neither true nor logical. Eastern Ukraine remains a war zone and the only internationally recognized borders are those between Ukraine and Russia.
September 14, 2017
Kislyak: U.S. to Blame for Deteriorating Relations with Russia

Russia’s own actions endangering global security caused the deterioration of relations with the United States as well as with other countries. The conditions for lifting sanctions and returning to “normal” cooperation have been clearly presented to Russia but Moscow ignores its obligation to help maintain global security.
September 07, 2017
Peskov: Arrest of Director Critical of Kremlin ‘Not About Censorship’

President Vladimir Putin and his press secretary Dmitry Peskov insist that the arrest of a famed director Kirill Serebrennikov has nothing to do with politics or censorship. The involvement of the FSB’s 2nd Service calls their claim into question.
August 30, 2017
Russian Legislator Calls U.S.-Imposed Sanctions ‘Illegal’

Despite Russia’s claims that U.S.-imposed sanctions are illegal under international law, the U.S. strictly follows its own legal procedures and international regulations under the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
August 24, 2017
Russian Foreign Ministry: ‘No One Expelled the Americans’

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s claim that Moscow’s demand that the U.S. reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia by more than 60% will not affect the mission’s workflow is illogical and untrue. The sudden and involuntary staff shortage is disrupting all normal proceedings, including consular services.
August 10, 2017
Russian Foreign Ministry: Will of Syrian People at the Core of Russia’s Syria Policy

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s claim that the free will of the Syrian people is “the essential element” of Moscow’s Syria policy is contradicted by both Russian actions in Syria and by experts.
August 04, 2017
RT: Russian Athletes at UK Event Banned from Displaying National Identity

RT reported Russian athletes participating in the 2017 IAAF World Championships athletics competition in London as “neutrals” – that is, who, for various reasons, are not allowed or not willing to represent their country of origin – have been banned from displaying any signs of national identity. This rule applies to any “neutral” athlete from any country.
July 31, 2017
Sputnik: U.S. MOAB Caused 'Radiation' Diseases in Afghanistan

The Russian government's international broadcaster Sputnik, citing anonymous “survivors,” reported that the U.S. MOAB bomb, used against Islamic State targets in Afghanistan in April, caused “radiation” diseases among local civilians. The MOAB has no radioactive components and locals refute the allegations as “lies”.
July 27, 2017
Kadyrov’s Military Threats to U.S. Ridiculed by Experts and Comedians

Chechnya’s Kremlin-appointed head threatened the U.S. with his “army.” His claims are baseless: by military standards, Chechnya has no army.
July 20, 2017
Islamic State's Russian-language Propagandists Show Little Sign of Slowing Down

Assessment comes as some IS propaganda operations appear to be in decline
July 14, 2017
Sputnik: Nevada Declared ‘State of Emergency’ Over Marijuana Shortage

The Kremlin-funded international broadcaster Sputnik reported that the governor of Nevada declared a state of emergency over the state’s shortage of marijuana supplies. In fact, no state of emergency was ordered in Nevada.
July 12, 2017
Putin: Moscow is the World’s No. 1 Data-Driven City

Russia’s president praised Moscow for earning the top three positions among the world’s “data driven” mega-cities in an assessment made by the Moscow branch of the PricewaterhouseCoopers consulting company. The fact that PwC-Russia has an ongoing long-term contract with the Russian government raises questions about the independence and objectivity of this assessment.
July 07, 2017
TASS Cites 2014 Photos as “Proof” that Russia Killed IS Leader in 2017

Russia’s state news agency TASS reported that Iranian TV had published photographic proof that Islamic State leader Abu Baqr al-Baghdadi was killed in a Russian airstrike in May. In fact, the same pictures had been circulating around the Internet since 2014.
June 29, 2017
Russia’s TASS: A Quarter of the World Approves of Putin’s International Actions

Russia’s TASS state news agency misrepresented the results of the Pew Research Center’s 2017 global survey in a way favorable to Vladimir Putin. The actual results of the survey concerning Putin were the opposite of what TASS reported.
June 23, 2017
Soviet-Era Group Claims Greenpeace Russia Used CIA Spy Satellite Data

Moscow’s controversial urban renewal project has prompted discussion among environmentalists, with Greenpeace Russia warning it could have damaging consequences. One Russian organization, however, falsely accused Greenpeace of using CIA spy satellite data to fabricate the report.
June 14, 2017
Russian Defense Ministry: U.S.-Led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces “Collude” with IS

The commander of Russian forces in Syria said the U.S.-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces have entered “into collusion” with Islamic State “ringleaders” and given them safe passage “south of Raqqah,” and that IS left the city “without fighting.” However, the territory south of Raqqah is controlled by IS, which means they do not need a safe corridor to travel there, while IS is reportedly fighting U.S.-backed forces for every street inside the city.
June 07, 2017
Putin Calls Reports of Chemical Attack in Syria 'False Information'

Vladimir Putin said the United States and its allies refused to investigate chemical attacks that took place in Syria in April because they feared the probe would reveal that the attacks were “falsified” and there was no proof the regime of Bashar al-Assad possesses and has used chemical weapons. Putin also claimed that reports about the victims of such attacks is “false information.” However, France, Turkey and the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons have each conducted an independent investigation and produced detailed reports showing the Assad regime carried out sarin gas attacks.
June 05, 2017
Russia Denies North Koreans Building St. Petersburg Stadium Experiencing Slave-Like Conditions

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has denied that North Koreans building a stadium for the 2018 World Cup in St. Petersburg are working under conditions reminiscent of modern slavery, calling these accusations “fake” and “political blackmail.” However, several international organizations, including FIFA, the world football body, and the United Nations confirm these violations of labor rights in Russia.
June 01, 2017
Gazprom CEO Touts Russian Gas Giant as Reliable Supplier

Aleksey Miller, the CEO of Gazprom, Russia’s majority state-owned natural gas giant, said his company is one of the most reliable forces driving the global economy. However, European customers have taken Gazprom to court, and the European Union launched an antitrust case against it. Gazprom customers have characterized the company as an “economic blackmailer” and an “unreliable supplier.”

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