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Fatima Tlis

Produced by Fatima Tlis

March 21, 2017
Russian MP Claims 100 Percent of Crimeans Would Vote 'Today' to Join Russia

On the third anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea, Natalya Poklonskaya, the former Crimean prosecutor general who helped Moscow’s efforts to take over the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula, claimed “100 percent of Crimeans” would vote to be part of Russia if the 2014 referendum were held today. Polling data and experts suggest otherwise.
March 15, 2017
Belarus: Russia Not Upholding Obligations in Eurasian Economic Union

Belarus says it is not motivated to remain part of Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union due to Russia’s unwillingness to fulfill its obligations under the agreement that established the organization. A fact check shows Belarus is right.
March 13, 2017
Putin Claims Infant Mortality Rate in Russia Lower Than in Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the social reforms under his leadership have helped to decrease he infant mortality rate in Russia to levels “lower than in Europe.” However, a fact check reveals the claim is false and Russia lags behind the Europe when it comes to infant mortality.
March 07, 2017
Does Russian Military Comply With Safe Flying Practices, as Defense Official Claims?

The Russian Ministry of Defense says its military aircraft strictly follow international regulations and security requirements. But in recent years, the U.S., European Union and NATO have documented incidents where Russian military aircraft violated airspace and engaged in unsafe flying practices – specifically over the Baltic and Black Seas.
March 03, 2017
Was Privatization Deal of Russian State Oil Giant ‘Transparent,’ as Company Says?

Russia’s state-owned oil giant Rosneft defends one of the nation’s largest privatization deals in history as “transparent.” But banking officials, business journalists and experts say many questions remain including the identities of who bought the near 20 percent stake.
March 01, 2017
Is Russia Not 'A Party' in Ukraine Conflict, as Kremlin Claims?

The Kremlin's press secretary says Russia is “in no shape or form a party of the conflict” in Ukraine. He is wrong. There is an abundance of verifiable documentary evidence of the presence of Russian military hardware - let alone troops and intelligence agents – and economic aid from Russia.
February 27, 2017
Did Kremlin Support Coup Attempt in Montenegro?

While Russia dismisses its alleged involvement in last year’s attempted coup in Montenegro as “unfounded allegations,” Montenegrin officials say they have proof that the Kremlin orchestrated the plot and named Russian operatives as suspects.
February 21, 2017
Kremlin: Russian Media Not Trying to Influence Public Opinion Abroad

Despite the Russian claims, U.S. and European officials say Russian media is helping the Kremlin spread false reports and conduct election interference in foreign nations with the aim of undermining the West.
February 09, 2017
'Russian Dawn' Leader: Ethnic Russians in Latvia Live Under 'Apartheid'

While there is some social and political divide concerning ethnically Russian non-citizen residents of Latvia, Girss's characterization of "apartheid" is unfounded, experts and Latvian officials say.
February 07, 2017
Kremlin Political Front: International Corruption Index Not ‘Objective’

The Corruption Perceptions Index has limitations in scope, experts say. But Transparency International says it "captures corruption levels effectively." Other sources of information, including surveys of ordinary Russians, point to similar conclusions about Russia's levels of corruption.
February 03, 2017
Russia on MH-17 Probe: No Radar Data Requirements

The Russian state aviation agency says it turned over radar data to the Dutch-led investigation team looking into the downing of a Malaysian Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine in 2014. A German press report quotes investigators as saying Russia gave data that does not satisfy international requirements. But Russia says it has no obligation to do so. Who's right?
February 01, 2017
Was Ingushetia's Economic Plan Successful, as Leader Says?

The leader of one of Russia’s poorest and restive regions says that his republic completed an economic improvement program with “good results.” But the claims he makes rely upon economic statistics that either are not in state records or fall short of the program’s goals.
January 26, 2017
Did Russia Conduct Airstrikes in Syria in Coordination with US?

Russia’s Department of Defense appears to be stretching beyond the truth when it says Russia and the “international coalition” joined in a bombing mission in Syria against IS. Russian and Turkish media – and experts contacted by Polygraph.info - say recent air strikes on al-Bab were carried out by Russian and Turkish jets. While Turkey allows the U.S.-led coalition to use Incirlik air base, Turkish air strikes on Syria are not conducted under the coalition’s command.
January 20, 2017
Is Moscow State University Ranked Third in the World?

The chief of Russia’s oldest university told Russian President Vladimir Putin that his school ranked third in the world in terms of education quality. However, the third-place ranking only pertains to a narrow metric of post-graduation alumni accomplishments.
January 12, 2017
Moscow Rector: US Learning Firm Allowed to Teach Online in Crimea

While U.S. Treasury Department officials declined comment, American virtual learning company Coursera confirmed it does have U.S. permission for online lessons on their platform to be accessible in Crimea.
January 10, 2017
Russian Defense Ministry: US, Coalition Strikes Don’t Hit IS Oil Facilities in Syria

Russia’s Ministry of Defense accuses the U.S. and its coalition partner of targeting “everything except IS oil facilities” in Syria. But documentation of coalition attacks prove the opposite.
January 06, 2017
Putin: Russia Provides World With 10 Percent of ‘Biosphere Sustainability’

Scientists and environmentalists contacted by Polygraph.info question what Putin is talking about and ecological data provided by a Russian ministry environmental report cannot be independently verified.
December 29, 2016
Kremlin: Moscow-Washington 'Red Phone' is ‘Ordinary’ Communication Line

Commenting after an NBC News report that U.S. President Barack Obama used "the so-called Red Phone" to warn President Vladimir Putin over interfering in the U.S. election process, a Kremlin spokesman said it is "an ordinary communication line." But history shows it is a special line used in crisis.
December 23, 2016
Did Russia Ignore Doping Links When Promoting Sports Minister?

Russia’s prime minister defended the promotion of former Minister of Sport Vitaly Mutko to a deputy prime minister post, saying there is no proof of Mutko’s involvement in an international doping conspiracy. But a watchdog report shows he exercised active oversight over the doping program.
December 16, 2016
Kremlin’s Adviser: Navalny’s Presidential Bid Attempt to Influence Court

When Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny announced his 2018 presidential run this week, political figures close to Kremlin accused him of attempting to to apply pressure on a court trying him on charges of embezzlement. Experts say they could have a point.

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