It's really just political gaslighting and has been going on since the Soviet era. Frida Ghitis used just that term to describe the ridiculous denials from Russ

It's really just political gaslighting and has been going on since the Soviet era. Frida Ghitis used just that term to describe the ridiculous denials from Russia when presented with evidence of Russian operatives active in Crimea. What's worrying to me is that it's by no means unique to Russia, even if they have perfected it. The current president of the United States does not consider himself above using the exact same rhetorical strategy.