Category Media taken out of context

Old photos circulate after Russian forces attack Ukrainian nuclear power plant

Two photos have been shared in a report that links them to a fire at a Ukrainian nuclear power plant following a Russian attack in March 2022. However, the images -- viewed thousands of times -- have been shared in a misleading context. Both photos predate the Russian attack: one image has circulated in reports since 2011 about an oil refinery fire in Japan, while the other has circulated in reports since January 2022 about a Russian military drill.

Read MoreOld photos circulate after Russian forces attack Ukrainian nuclear power plant

This photo shows firefighters in Australia, not Ukraine

A photo of firefighters covered in soot has been shared thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows Ukrainian firemen working to "save lives" after the Russian invasion. Although Ukraine's firefighters have been working at the sites of Russian air strikes since Moscow began bombarding Ukrainian cities, the image actually shows firefighters in Australia.

Read MoreThis photo shows firefighters in Australia, not Ukraine

The Space Foundation didn’t revoke honors from Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

The Space Foundation removed Yuri Gagarin's name from an upcoming fundraising event after it received derogatory and anti-Russia comments on its social media accounts.

The organization did not revoke any formal honors from the cosmonaut. Exhibits related to Gagarin are still on display at the foundation's gallery in Colorado, and his accomplishments will still be celebrated at the annual event, the group said.

Our ruling
A Facebook post claims, "the Space Foundation has erased the honors previously bestowed on Yuri Gagarin, the first man to ever be in space. His name was stripped 'in light of current events.'"

This is misleading.

The Space Foundation removed Gagarin's name from an event after it received derogatory and anti-Russian comments on its social media accounts due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But the organization did not revoke any formal honors from the cosmonaut. Gagarin's exhibits are still on display at the foundation and his accomplishments will still be celebrated at the event.

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

Read MoreThe Space Foundation didn’t revoke honors from Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

Donated Canadian equipment sparks inaccurate claims on Ukraine fire coverage

A screenshot of CNN footage has been shared on social media alongside the claim that the channel falsified coverage of a fire in Ukraine, with the name "Edmonton" on a firefighter's jacket cited as evidence. But the footage shows the aftermath of strikes in the city of Lviv, and the jacket was donated by a Canadian non-profit, the organization and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services say.

Read MoreDonated Canadian equipment sparks inaccurate claims on Ukraine fire coverage

No, this Edmonton jacket isn’t proof CNN staged a fire as part of its Ukraine coverage

A Canadian charity has for years donated firefighter gear to Ukrainians. A jacket bearing the name of the city Edmonton that appeared in live CNN coverage in Ukraine came from the group, the charity said.

An April 2019 Instagram post from the group shows piles of jackets bound for Ukraine. A 2018 post says: "Sharing more gear outside Lviv." The second photo in this post shows someone holding up a jacket that says "Edmonton" that resembles the one that appears in the CNN broadcast.

We rate claims that this jacket is evidence that CNN staged the scene, or that Lemon isn't in Ukraine, False.

Read MoreNo, this Edmonton jacket isn’t proof CNN staged a fire as part of its Ukraine coverage

James Bond promo footage of choir in Russia falsely linked to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine

A video circulating online after Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine has racked up tens of thousands of views alongside a claim it shows members of the "Russian army choir" being arrested for singing about peace in Russian President Vladimir Putin's hometown of Saint Petersburg. In reality, the video corresponds to old footage published in reports since 2015 about a stunt staged to promote the James Bond film "Spectre".

Read MoreJames Bond promo footage of choir in Russia falsely linked to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine

Old video of Russian paratroopers jumping from plane shared with false claim about ‘invasion of Ukraine’

A video viewed more than a million times has been shared alongside a claim it shows Russian troops parachuting into Ukraine following Moscow's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour in February 2022. While there have been reports of Russian paratroopers being deployed as part of the invasion, this video has circulated since 2014 in a social media post about a military exercise conducted in Russia.

Read MoreOld video of Russian paratroopers jumping from plane shared with false claim about ‘invasion of Ukraine’

Misleading posts link old Russia protest video with Ukraine invasion

A video of a violent clash between demonstrators and police officers has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media alongside a claim it shows Russians protesting against Putin's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. But while thousands were detained across Russia over Ukraine protests, the video had been shared in a misleading context. The footage has previously circulated in reports since January 2021 about a Chechen student who fought with riot police in Moscow during protests calling for the release of a Kremlin critic.

Read MoreMisleading posts link old Russia protest video with Ukraine invasion

DonMak eateries opened in Ukraine in 2016 after McDonald’s departure from pro-Russian cities

A Facebook post claims that Russia created its own version of McDonald's after the fast-food chain temporarily shut down operations in the country in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is misleading; DonMak opened in Ukraine's separatist-controlled cities of Donetsk and Luhansk a few years after Russia's conflict with Ukraine in 2014. The images in the post were taken in Ukraine, not Russia, several years ago.

Read MoreDonMak eateries opened in Ukraine in 2016 after McDonald’s departure from pro-Russian cities