Category Methods

Russian propaganda usurps RFI report and French armed forces website – Truth or Fake

Russian disinformation has created a fraudulent report purporting to come from our sister radio station RFI, insinuating that "Ukrainian soldiers sent for tuberculosis treatment in France" are responsible for France's recent rebound in the disease. Meanwhile, French authorities have taken down a fake French armed forces website, which invited French citizens to enlist in Ukraine. We explain in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreRussian propaganda usurps RFI report and French armed forces website – Truth or Fake

Moscow concert hall attack: Fake claims continue to point fingers at Ukraine – Truth or Fake

Even though the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for last week's deadly Moscow concert hall attack, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, pro-Russian social media users and bots are continuing to insist that Ukraine was involved in the atrocity. We debunk all the false claims for you in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreMoscow concert hall attack: Fake claims continue to point fingers at Ukraine – Truth or Fake

FRANCE 24 video edited to spread fake news about Ukraine’s Zelensky – Truth or Fake

An extract from FRANCE 24's sister French-language fact-checking show that's circulating on social media appears to support the claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has misappropriated funds to buy himself luxury yachts - an unfounded accusation that has repeatedly resurfaced. But the video has been edited: the journalist in it was in fact debunking, not affirming, the allegation.

Read MoreFRANCE 24 video edited to spread fake news about Ukraine’s Zelensky – Truth or Fake

Russian disinformation campaign ‘Matryoshka’ targets Yulia Navalnaya – Truth or Fake

Hours after the death of Alexei Navalny, viral posts started circulating on social media showing his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, in the arms of other men. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreRussian disinformation campaign ‘Matryoshka’ targets Yulia Navalnaya – Truth or Fake

Fact Check: Putin Defends Hitler’s Invasion of Poland in Carlson Interview

True.

Based on a Russian transcript of Vladimir Putin's interview with Tucker Carlson, Newsweek verified Putin said Adolf Hitler was "forced" to invade Poland, an inaccurate interpretation of the circumstances leading to World War II.

While translations do not use the word "forced" or "compelled", they broadly match its meaning.

Read MoreFact Check: Putin Defends Hitler’s Invasion of Poland in Carlson Interview

Anti-Ukraine trolls use ‘Operation Matryoshka’ campaign to spread fake news

Not content with simply creating and spreading fake news, anti-Ukraine trolls are now also using a new disinformation tactic: a method dubbed "Operation Matryoshka" (or Russian doll), which has been exposed by the "Bot Blocker" collective and AFP fact checkers. It is designed to divert the attention of journalists and muddy the waters of information even more.

Read MoreAnti-Ukraine trolls use ‘Operation Matryoshka’ campaign to spread fake news