Category Fact checks / debunkings

No, these photos don’t prove that Zelensky is filming his videos in front of a green screen

Pro-Russian social media accounts have been circulating photos and a video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky standing in front of a green screen, claiming that this image offers proof that the videos that he publishes on social media are filmed in a studio and not on the ground as claimed. However, these pictures don"t prove anything of the sortÂ -Â they were taken during a forum where the president appeared as a hologram.

Video claiming to show dashcam footage from Crimean Bridge explosion is fake

No, a viral dashcam video doesn't show the Crimean Bridge explosion. The video was first posted months before the explosion took place and is a compilation of multiple videos.

October 13, 2022
Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Russia Russian propaganda Ukraine

No, this Ukrainian general isn’t wearing a bracelet with a swastika on it

Did the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forcesÂ publish a photo of himself wearing a bracelet with a swastika on it? That"s what some Russian media outlets and pro-Russian social media accounts have been reporting since October 9, 2022. While the photo is authentic, the compression of the image and the poor resolution quality make it possible to mistake the symbol on his bracelet for the Nazi cross. In reality, however, itÂ is a Celtic knot.

October 12, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Hatred and bigotry Misconceptions Nazism Ukraine

Despite claims, Jackson, Mississippi, did get funding for its infrastructure. But it’s not a fix-all

When the Instagram post was shared, Congress was considering legislation that included $20 million in funding for Jackson, Mississippi's water infrastructure. The legislation passed Sept. 30.

Much more funding will be needed to completely address the problems in Jackson.

Our ruling
An Instagram post says Ukraine got $12 billion more in funding but Jackson, Mississippi, has not received any.

At the time the Instagram post was shared, Congress was considering legislation to provide money to both Ukraine and Jackson. The legislation passed Sept. 30 and was signed into law the same day, allocating $20 million to Jackson for its infrastructure.

Much more funding will be needed to fully address the city's problems. But though the city might not have the money in hand yet because the funding was just approved, it's misleading to say the city was completely ignored.

The claim contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. We rate it Mostly False.

October 6, 2022
Aid oversight Aid to Ukraine Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings International community Military aid Misconceptions USA

FACT CHECK: Image Makes Misleading Claims About Ukraine Aid, Inflation Reduction Act | Check Your Fact

Verdict: Misleading
Several costs estimates are inaccurate

October 5, 2022
Aid oversight Aid to Ukraine Fact checks / debunkings International community Military aid Misconceptions Ukraine USA

FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Russian Conscripts With Mosin-Nagant Rifles? | Check Your Fact

An image shared on Facebook allegedly shows Russian conscripts with 19th-century era Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifles.

Verdict: Misleading
While the image does feature the rifle, the photo is from a 2020 parade. It has nothing to do with the current conflict in Ukraine.

September 29, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Media taken out of context Methods Misconceptions Russia

FACT CHECK: Did Justin Trudeau Blame Russian Propaganda For Negative Twitter Hashtag? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
This tweet is digitally fabricated. Trudeau did not send out this tweet.

September 27, 2022
AI-generated images Canada Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Faked news reports International community Methods Misconceptions Russia Russian propaganda

GM, Ford Vehicles Were Donated to Ukraine by Carmakers

Two American carmakers have donated 100 pickup trucks and SUVs to assist with humanitarian aid in Ukraine. But an Instagram post makes the baseless claim that the vehicles were provided at U.S. taxpayers’ expense.

September 26, 2022
Aid to Ukraine Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine USA

FACT CHECK: Is Elon Musk Working With The U.S. Military To Provide Ukraine A New Hypersonic Jet? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence of the purported claim on either the U.S. Department of Defenseâs website or SpaceXâs website. Musk has also never publicly mentioned any such joint project with the U.S. military.

September 12, 2022
Aid to Ukraine Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings International community Military aid Misconceptions Ukraine USA

Despite Putin’s claim, Russia has lost plenty in Ukraine invasion

Russia has lost as many as 25,000 soldiers in its invasion of Ukraine, with tens of thousands more injured, according to estimates from U.K. and U.S. officials.

Russia's economy will contract as much as 6% this year mostly because of international sanctions, the country's central bank predicted.

Thousands of educated professionals have fled the nation after the war began, according to news reports.

Our ruling
Putin stated that Russia has lost nothing since the country invaded neighboring Ukraine in February.

Russia has suffered many losses. As many as 25,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have died. Indicators from within Russia show the Russian economy has been damaged by international sanctions resulting from the war. And experts say thousands of Russians from many professional backgrounds, including tech and academia, have fled the nation.

We rate Putin's claim False.

September 9, 2022
Coordinated disinformation Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Putin Russia Russian propaganda