DISINFO: Anti-Russia sanctions resulted in massive bedbug infestations in France
SUMMARY
Without Russia, Europe is getting back to mice, hunger, cold, and dirt. In France, seven schools were shut down due to bedbug infestations. It turned out that a chemical used to prevent bedbugs in most wooden materials is produced in Russia. The sanctions, which were earlier introduced by western politicians, target this chemical. And European analogues are not good enough.
RESPONSE
Disinformation claim aiming to question the effectiveness of western sanctions on Russia. It mixes factual information related to recent increase in bedbug infestations in France with a false explanation behind its cause.
It was reported in October 2023 (e.g., here, here and here) that a number of schools in France were indeed closed for a few days over bedbug infestations. However, there is no evidence that the incidents were related to the absence of Russian chemicals due to EU sanctions.
In response to growing concerns over bedbugs, France's national food, environment and work hygiene organisation, Anses, released an article for a wider audience titled, Bed bugs in 13 questions.
According to the article, the upsurge in bedbug infestations in recent years has been due to the rise in travel and the increasing resistance of bed bugs to insecticides. It says nothing about the unavailability of Russian or whatever foreign solution to bedbugs.
The article calls to avoid chemical methods of coping with bedbugs and says, “An integrated pest management approach is required, involving a combination of mechanical (tidying, cleaning, vacuuming, etc.) and thermal (using heat (washing clothes at 60°C, using steam appliances, etc.) and cold (freezing)) measures.”
By imposing restrictive measures on Russia, the EU sends a strong signal of resolve and unity to the Kremlin, and aims to degrade Russia’s ability to wage war, including by targeting the country’s energy sector. Read an earlier detailed analysis of the Russian disinformation narratives about EU sanctions.
Read also related disinformation cases alleging that Western sanctions are not working, that Europe suffered more from sanctions than Russia, HRVP Borrell: Russia and China are bankrupting Europe, and that ICC arrest warrant against Putin was issued because western sanctions don't work.