OPERATION “RYANAIR”

Abstract

Aim. To reveal the essence, content, goals, objectives and methods of the special operation of the American special services related to the emergency landing of a Ryanair aircraft at the airport in Minsk, as a result of which the KGB of the Republic of Belarus detained oppositionists R. Protasevich and S. Sapega.

Methodology. The study was carried out using the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and interpretation of the results.

Results. It has been established that, in terms of its scheme and manner of execution, the “Ryanair case” is identical to the operation “Doping Scandal with WADA” carried out by the US intelligence agencies against the Russian Federation in 2015–2018. The goal of the Ryanair operation is the same as in the WADA scandal: make those who were repeatedly caught in a lie admit the allegations on all counts; the form of the operation is an operational experiment (provocation). Thus, the Ryanair operation is a combination of techniques, methods and tricks previously worked out by US intelligence in a whole series of operations against the Russian Federation.

Research implications. Information about the latest forms and methods of organizing and conducting information operations, such as Operation Ryanair (carried out by the US intelligence agencies against Belarus), can be used in the work of state bodies responsible for organizing a systemic counteraction to informational aggression by foreign states, and will also be of use to political scientists, political technologists and specialists in counteracting destructive political technologies.