Category International community

How we debunked reports of anti-Zelensky graffiti in a Paris suburb

Did graffiti depicting the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a black hole "absorbing European money" really appear on the streets of a Paris suburb? That's what a photo that has been circulating on social media since November 29 seems to show. However, our team found no trace of this graffiti at the actual site. Our forensic analysis of the photo shows signs that it was digitally altered. We also consulted some street art experts, who pointed out some inconsistencies in the art.

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Did Ukraine Give Up Nukes for Russia, U.S. Security Guarantees?

The Budapest Memorandum, signed in December 1994, resulted in Ukraine voluntarily handing over its nuclear arsenal, as well as other military stocks and munitions, to Russia.

In exchange, Moscow vowed to respect Ukraine's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

The U.S. and the U.K. were among the co-signatories, but stopped short of providing "guarantees" (which would have entailed a direct military intervention) and instead offered "assurances," a term that left some wiggle room for a response to potential aggression from Moscow.

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How a video game has been used to create fake news about the Ukraine war – Truth or Fake

Since February, several Facebook and Twitter accounts versed in disinformation have been regularly sharing impressive videos purporting to show the war in Ukraine. But these viral images actually come from a video game called Arma 3. How can you spot these realistic spoofs that have even fooled international media? In this episode, the Truth or Fake team asks Pavel Křižka, representative of Bohemia Interactive, the company that developed Arma 3.

Read MoreHow a video game has been used to create fake news about the Ukraine war – Truth or Fake
U.S. Aid to Ukraine, Explained

U.S. Aid to Ukraine, Explained

When asked whether Republicans would “make it more difficult” for Congress to approve Ukrainian aid, Rep. Mike Turner criticized the $40 billion package enacted in May, saying: “We don’t need to pass $40 billion large Democrat bills ... to send $8 billion to Ukraine.” Much more than that, however, was allocated for military support.

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Have gasoline prices fallen to pre-Ukraine war levels, as Joe Biden said?

According to the most recent weekly data, the cost of a gallon of gasoline is $3.53. That's exactly the same as it was just days before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Our ruling
Biden said, "Gas prices are down back to where they were before Russia invaded Ukraine."

Gas prices didn't start increasing with the onset of the war, but the most recent weekly price data shows the cost of a gallon of gasoline at $3.53, which is exactly the same as it was just days before Russia invaded Ukraine.

We rate the statement True.

Read MoreHave gasoline prices fallen to pre-Ukraine war levels, as Joe Biden said?

Video claiming to be Al Jazeera report about ‘drunk Ukrainians’ at World Cup is fake

An Al Jazeera spokesperson told VERIFY in an email: "The video in question is completely fake and Al Jazeera never published this or any other material related to it."

Read MoreVideo claiming to be Al Jazeera report about ‘drunk Ukrainians’ at World Cup is fake

What Is Behind Claim Joe Biden ‘Laundered’ Billions in Ukraine Aid via FTX?

The claim that funds were effectively "laundered" from Ukraine via FTX back into the U.S., less so to the Democratic party coffers or Biden himself, is unevidenced.

Newsweek has investigated the coverage of this claim across social media and larger media outlets and could find no transaction ID, statements, or any other tangible evidence to support the idea that U.S. funding or crypto donations were washed back to the Democratic Party, through a Ukrainian investment in FTX or otherwise.

The claim does not acknowledge the auditing and scrutiny that U.S. foreign aid receives to ensure that it is spent appropriately on measures relating to Ukrainian assistance.

Read MoreWhat Is Behind Claim Joe Biden ‘Laundered’ Billions in Ukraine Aid via FTX?

Poland missile strike: Beware of images on Twitter unrelated to the blast – Truth or Fake

Some users on social media are sharing images that allegedly show debris of the S-300 air defence missile that killed two people in Poland this Tuesday. But one of the images being shared is actually from projectile remains found in Dagestan in October 2020. We tell you which images to look out for in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MorePoland missile strike: Beware of images on Twitter unrelated to the blast – Truth or Fake

No evidence Ukraine aid ‘laundered’ to Democrats through FTX

An article shared thousands of times on social media claims FTX, a now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, funneled US aid meant for Ukraine to Democratic candidates running in the midterm elections instead. This is unproven; public records show no evidence supporting the allegation, which Kyiv, the Pentagon, FTX partners and experts have said is inaccurate.

Read MoreNo evidence Ukraine aid ‘laundered’ to Democrats through FTX