Category Fact checks / debunkings

FTX helped with a cryptocurrency fundraising site, but there’s no connection to U.S. aid to Ukraine

FTX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, announced on Nov. 11 it had filed for bankruptcy. Sam Bankman-Fried resigned as the company's CEO. He is a large donor to Democrats, but has also given to Republicans.

FTX partnered with a fundraising site called Aid for Ukraine, where people can donate cryptocurrency to help the country's war effort. FTX's role in the project was to facilitate the conversion of cryptocurrency into regular currency.

There's no evidence that U.S. aid money sent to Ukraine was then used to invest in FTX. Most U.S. aid doesn't go directly to the Ukrainian government, but rather through third parties like contractors or humanitarian groups.

Our ruling
An Instagram post claimed that U.S. aid money sent to Ukraine is being funneled back in the form of campaign contributions to Democrats through the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

FTX's former CEO was a large donor to Democrats, but has also given to Republicans. The company's connection to Ukraine was partnering with a fundraising site called Aid to Ukraine that allows people to donate cryptocurrency for the country's war effort. That money was then transferred to the Ukrainian government, not the other way around.

There is no evidence to support the claim. We rate this False.

Update, Nov. 16, 2022: This story was updated to include statements from the U.S. State Department, the United States Agency for International Development and Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation that were received after publication. It also clarifies the job title for Alex Bornyakov. The rating is unchanged.

Read MoreFTX helped with a cryptocurrency fundraising site, but there’s no connection to U.S. aid to Ukraine

FACT CHECK: Russia Claims Not A ‘Single Piece Of Military Equipment’ Was Left Behind In Kherson Retreat | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
Visual evidence shows the Russian military left equipment behind in the area. Experts and open-source intelligence (OSINT) accounts that track the conflict said the claim was false.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Russia Claims Not A ‘Single Piece Of Military Equipment’ Was Left Behind In Kherson Retreat | Check Your Fact

Film production footage sparks both Russian and Ukrainian disinformation – Truth or Fake

Images circulating on social media from a Ukrainian film production do not prove that Ukraine is staging the war, but neither do they prove "Russian illiteracy". We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreFilm production footage sparks both Russian and Ukrainian disinformation – Truth or Fake

FACT CHECK: Did Time Magazine Publish This Image Of The British Home Secretary Wearing A Swastika? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
This image is digitally fabricated. A spokesperson for Time Magazine confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact that the image is not an authentic cover.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Did Time Magazine Publish This Image Of The British Home Secretary Wearing A Swastika? | Check Your Fact

No, the Ukrainian president did not write a book called ‘Mein Kampf’

Is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the author of a new book entitled "Mein Kampf", or "My Struggle", using the same graphic design as Adolf Hitler's manifesto? This is what many people online have been claiming to be the case since October 19, 2022. But the photos they use as proof are actually just photoshopped using old images. While the Ukrainian president is indeed preparing to release a book, it has a totally different title and cover design.

Read MoreNo, the Ukrainian president did not write a book called ‘Mein Kampf’

No, Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t publishing his own ‘Mein Kampf’ – Truth or Fake

We debunk false claims circulating online that Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky has written and will be releasing a book with the same title as Adolf Hitler's infamous manifesto. Vedika Bahl has all the details in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreNo, Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t publishing his own ‘Mein Kampf’ – Truth or Fake

Deadly floods submerge Nigeria, and misinformation accuses Ukraine of “staging” war – The Observers

A weekly news show produced with photos, videos and personal accounts from France 24 Observers around the world - all checked by our staff here in Paris.

Read MoreDeadly floods submerge Nigeria, and misinformation accuses Ukraine of “staging” war – The Observers

Ad comparing spending on Ukraine, US children is ridiculously wrong

On a largely bipartisan basis, Congress has approved about $66 billion in assistance to Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

• Proposals supported by President Joe Biden that won the support of only Democrats in Congress allocated $482 billion on behalf of U.S. children in 2021.

• One of the efforts from Democrats ' an expansion of the child tax credit that was included in Biden's American Rescue Plan of 2021 ' paid out $92 billion to U.S. families with children, or 1.5 times the amount that the U.S. has spent so far on Ukraine.

Our ruling
A Citizens for Sanity ad said that Biden and Democrats "send a fortune to Ukraine but nothing for our children."

On a largely bipartisan basis, Congress has approved roughly $66 billion in assistance to Ukraine.

By comparison, proposals supported by Biden and that won support of only Democrats in Congress spent $482 billion on behalf of U.S. children in 2021. The child tax credit expansion alone paid out $92 billion to U.S. families with children, or 1.5 times the amount the U.S. has spent so far on the war in Ukraine.

We rate the statement Pants on Fire!

Read MoreAd comparing spending on Ukraine, US children is ridiculously wrong