Disinformation Campaign: Russian and Pro-Russian Channels Spread Baseless Claims About Gyumri Military Base
Since yesterday, Russian Telegram channels and their active pro-Russian Armenian counterparts have been systematically and actively spreading unsubstantiated information, claiming that the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri is ‘preparing for the worst.’ This article, originating from the ‘Rybard’ Telegram channel with over 1 million followers, presents a series of assertions not supported by factual data or clear sources.
Specifically, the author claims that the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri is ‘preparing for a possible military escalation.’ The publication’s author also asserts that the Armenian side is allegedly obstructing cooperation with Russian military personnel, and that the situation in the region could be used as a pretext for the withdrawal of the Russian contingent.
“While military operations are underway around Iran, a precedent may be created in Gyumri that will serve as a reason for the withdrawal of the Russian contingent. Literally yesterday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the Russian base ‘does not yet hinder the republic’s European aspirations,’ but hinted that the situation could change in the future,” the author concluded.
The ‘Fact-Checking Platform’ has examined these publications and the claims presented within them.
The Coordinated Spread of Baseless Claims
Firstly, we found that this article, which lacks factual data, is systematically disseminated across pro-government Russian military journalists’ Telegram channels. From there, it is further spread by pro-Russian figures and the information channels of political forces.
The publication, in particular, states: “According to our data, personnel are preparing for a possible armed escalation,” but it does not specify by whom or what kind of escalation is being referred to.
At the same time, it is claimed that the Armenian side is “sabotaging” military cooperation. The question arises: military cooperation on what?
Additionally, the author attempts to link several events without any evidence. For example, the mention of trucks with Ukrainian license plates is presented in the context of the military situation around Iran and assumptions related to the Russian base in Gyumri, but this connection is not substantiated by any facts.
The main claims presented in the publication are based on anonymous sources. The text uses the phrase “according to our data,” but again, no source or factual data is provided.
Pashinyan’s Stance on the Russian Military Base
Recently, Prime Minister Pashinyan has addressed the activities of the Russian military base in Armenia at least twice, emphasizing that the Armenian side has no concerns regarding the base’s operations. On February 26, Pashinyan stated in Poland that “we are close partners with Russia.”
Next, on March 5, during a briefing with journalists after a government meeting, he emphasized: “We are, fortunately or unfortunately, not yet at a point where the Russian military base is obstructing our view…” In fact, Pashinyan’s words are being spread out of context.
Narratives Systematically Spread by Russian or Pro-Russian Sources
The Russian author’s text employs narratives of fear and threat, speaking of possible “provocations,” “escalation,” and war in the region. It also advances the main thesis of pro-Russian sources, claiming that the alleged withdrawal of the Russian base aligns with the interests of “Western patrons” and the “Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem.”
The FIP.am investigation shows that the structure of this article corresponds to the informational narratives frequently found in Russian military Telegram channels. This article, in particular, has also been disseminated by military journalists actively covering the Russian-Ukrainian war, such as Yuri Podolyak, and other military channels.
In addition to these channels, this information has also been spread by Armenian pro-Russian Telegram channels, including the channel of the “Strong Armenia” party belonging to the Karapetyans, “Yerevan.Today” associated with Robert Kocharyan, “Mika Badalyan,” and others.
Thus, the ‘Fact-Checking Platform’s’ investigation shows that the claims circulated in recent days regarding the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri are not based on factual data. These publications are systematically disseminated across Russian military and pro-Russian Armenian Telegram channels through narratives of fear and threat.
In reality, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly emphasized that the Armenian side has no concerns regarding the Russian base’s operations, but these statements are often circulated in abridged or out-of-context forms.
Source: https://fip.am/46887
