Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: Ukrainian Soldiers Fire on Car with Russian Speaking Mother and Child

Russian media are disseminating a video claiming it shows a Ukrainian
soldier shooting at a car with a woman and child inside because the woman
was speaking Russian. This poorly staged video was shot in Russian occupied
Ukraine near Donetsk. The alleged Russian speaking woman and child are
never seen, the location of the alleged incident is a spot where Ukrainian
military simply could not be present, all and the cross painted on the back
of the alleged Ukrainian military vehicle - a symbol that has never been
used by the Ukrainian military, all point to the the video being yet
another Russian fake.

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Why these images do not prove that Vladimir Putin sent a ‘body double’ to Mariupol

Did Vladimir Putin really use a body double during his recent visit to Mariupol, Ukraine? That's the question posed by several posts that began circulating on social media on March 20, 2023. However, while these posts claim to show evidence of physical differences in the president's face, the images they rely on are far from conclusive.

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Fake: Ukrainian Army Beat Brazilian Volunteer Who Tried to Escape

The video is another propaganda staging. The man allegedly being 'beaten' on the back with a stick does not have a Brazilian Portuguese accent, as it should be if he were really from Brazil. StopFake confirmed that the man spoke European Portuguese, which was evidently not his native language. Another important argument is the fact that the Brazilians, who are indeed among the volunteers, do not serve in the 128th brigade of the Ukrainian Forces. Like other foreign volunteers who came to defend Ukraine, Brazilians serve only as part of the Armed Forces International Legion.

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Fake: UK Transfer of Uranium Shells to Ukraine is “Nuclear Escalation and a New…

The UK Ministry of Defence says depleted uranium is a standard component of
modern armaments and is not a nuclear weapon, and calls Russian statements
on the issue "deliberate disinformation". The British army has been using
depleted uranium in its armor-piercing shells for decades, and independent
scientific research has shown that depleted uranium impact on human health
and the environment is minimal.

Read MoreFake: UK Transfer of Uranium Shells to Ukraine is “Nuclear Escalation and a New…

Fake: US Intelligence Officer Says Poland Contributes to Ukraine’s Armed Forces Destruction

Poland providing Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets does not in any way contribute to the "destruction of Ukraine's Armed Forces". On the contrary, Poland and Slovakia's decision to transfer several dozen fighter jets to the Ukrainian military will only strengthen Ukraine's combat readiness for the expected counteroffensive. Poland is one of Ukraine's main partners in providing military assistance and training Ukrainian soldiers. Warsaw was one of the first countries to announce it would send German Leopard 2 tanks, as well as MiG-29 jets to Ukraine.

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Fake: Ukraine Replaces Victory over Nazism Day with Victory Over Russia Holiday

A draft law under parliamentary consideration which has not yet been voted on does not cancel existing national holidays, but simply establishes new public holidays. The draft introduces a Peace Day holiday on September 21, in order to celebrate peaceful life after Ukraine's Victory over Russian military aggression. The May 9 Victory over Nazism day will remain a holiday, but will become a workday.

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Fake: Ukraine Selling Stale Leftovers Due to Bread Shortages

Russian media is disseminating fake stories claiming Ukraine is selling stale repackaged bread as the country is suffering from bread shortages. Bread manufacturer Kyivkhlib's hotline reported that they do not produce the kinds of bread products described in these Russian stories. Russian propagandist claims that there is a bread shortage in Ukraine are also untrue. While experts predict an increase in bread prices throughout 2023, there are absolutely no bread shortages in Ukraine.

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