Category Media taken out of context

Video shows Ukraine prisoner swap, contrary to pro-Russia claims

Social media posts claim a video depicts Ukrainian soldiers surrendering to the Russian army. This is false; the clip shows a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Wagner mercenaries in late May 2023 near the city of Bakhmut.

Read MoreVideo shows Ukraine prisoner swap, contrary to pro-Russia claims

Old video of explosion at Ukrainian dam falsely linked to latest blast in June 2023

A video appearing to show an explosion has circulated widely in social media posts that misleadingly claim it captured the moment the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine was destroyed in June 2023. The footage was in fact taken in 2022 when another explosion occurred at the dam during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Read MoreOld video of explosion at Ukrainian dam falsely linked to latest blast in June 2023

No, Elijah Wood did not urge Volodymyr Zelensky to seek treatment for alleged addictions

A video has been circulating online that allegedly shows "Lord of the Rings" actor Elijah Wood giving the Ukrainian president advice on how to tackle his alleged drug and alcohol addictions. He can be seen recording himself and talking to a so-called "Vladimir". However, the video has been heavily edited and his agent has confirmed it was not published by the actor.

Read MoreNo, Elijah Wood did not urge Volodymyr Zelensky to seek treatment for alleged addictions
Did Elijah Wood Tell Zelensky via Instagram to Go to Rehab?

Did Elijah Wood Tell Zelensky via Instagram to Go to Rehab?

Apart from the fact that the video has been bizarrely edited, it does not mention Zelensky, only someone named Vladimir, and is attributed to an Instagram account with no web presence.

Elijah Wood does not have a public Instagram account and the video being shared of him online, allegedly asking Zelensky to seek treatment, is the only recording available. The video appears to have been spread as a Russian propaganda effort and to promote a dubious documentary that falsely credits Tom Cruise as its star.

Although Newsweek is yet to hear from Wood's representatives for comment, we are confident that the video and claims surrounding it are, respectively, inauthentic and false.

Read MoreDid Elijah Wood Tell Zelensky via Instagram to Go to Rehab?

Famous football chant misrepresented as Ukrainians celebrating Crimea bridge blast

A video circulating online purports to show Ukrainians in a packed pub celebrating the country's recent attack on the Kerch bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea. But the footage is being misrepresented; it shows Wigan Athletic football fans chanting: "Will Grigg's on fire!" in 2016 about the English club's then-striker.

Read MoreFamous football chant misrepresented as Ukrainians celebrating Crimea bridge blast

Fake: Ukraine Asks Interpol to Return those Who Flee Mobilization

Ukraine has not asked Interpol to help track down Ukrainians who are evading mobilization. There is a more compelling reason for Ukraine to work with Interpol: to bring suspected collaborators who fled Ukraine to justice.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine Asks Interpol to Return those Who Flee Mobilization

Fake: Zelensky Admits that the US Started the War in Ukraine

Ukraine's President did not make any statements about the war in Ukraine
being started by the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky once again
emphasised that Ukraine decides on operations to de-occupy its territories
from Russian invaders.

Read MoreFake: Zelensky Admits that the US Started the War in Ukraine

Fake: 47% of Odesa Residents Oppose Ukraine Joining NATO

Opinion polls show that 53% of Odesa residents support Ukraine joining
NATO, and only 18% oppose it. A recent poll conducted by the International
Republican Institute does not show that 47% are against Ukraine joining the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization,

Read MoreFake: 47% of Odesa Residents Oppose Ukraine Joining NATO

Fake translation added to French president’s UN speech about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

A TikTok video shared thousands of times claims to show President Emmanuel Macron apologising to France's former African colonies and pledging reparations during a UN speech in New York in April 2023. But the claim is false: AFP Fact Check traced the footage of the address to a speech from last September and found that the original English translation was replaced with a fake voiceover. Macron did not discuss Africa but talked about the Russian-Ukrainian invasion.

Read MoreFake translation added to French president’s UN speech about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Manipulation: Ukraine Will Join the EU Only in 20 to 30 Years

In an interview with five European publications, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she cannot say exactly when Ukraine will join the EU, as the time frame depends on two factors, internal EU processes and the progress of reforms in Ukraine. At the same time, von der Leyen emphasized that in the long run, Ukraine and the Balkans "cannot but integrate into the EU."

Read MoreManipulation: Ukraine Will Join the EU Only in 20 to 30 Years