Category Methods

Manipulation: EU Afraid of Ukrainian Weapon and Drug Smuggling

To strengthen border security in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on July 11 the EU launched a Support Hub for internal security and border management in Moldova. Neither the program nor the announcement mention Ukraine reselling western weapons or being involved in drug trafficking.

Read MoreManipulation: EU Afraid of Ukrainian Weapon and Drug Smuggling

Altered magazine cover featuring Ukrainian president spreads online

Social media posts share an image that purportedly shows Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky riding a horse made of banknotes on the cover of Money, a US magazine. But no such cover was published; the image was altered from a 2016 issue, according to the magazine, which is now only available online.

Read MoreAltered magazine cover featuring Ukrainian president spreads online

Fake: Russian Army Destroys Troops who Raised Ukrainian Flag on Snake Island

Russia's Defense Ministry claims its troops destroyed Ukrainian servicemen who raised the Ukrainian flag on strategic Snake Island after Russian forces withdrew. The Ukraine's General Staff says the troops completed their task and returned to their base unharmed.

Read MoreFake: Russian Army Destroys Troops who Raised Ukrainian Flag on Snake Island

No, a Ukrainian attack didn’t destroy a Moscow skyscraper

A fire broke out on the roof of a Russian skyscraper, according to state news, and was extinguished with minimal damage.

We found no evidence to support the suggestion that the incident is connected to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

A Polish news organization, also citing the Tass agency, said "the fire affected one square meter of space."

We didn't see any credible reports tying the fire to a Ukrainian attack, or any attack.

We rate this post False.

Read MoreNo, a Ukrainian attack didn’t destroy a Moscow skyscraper

Fake: Russian Defense Ministry: Ukraine Lost 234 Planes and 137 Helicopters since War Began

Russia's Defense Ministry claims to have shot down more planes and helicopters than Ukraine ever had. According to official data, all branches of Ukraine's Armed forces combined were armed with a much smaller number of aircraft than what the Russians claim to have shot down.

Read MoreFake: Russian Defense Ministry: Ukraine Lost 234 Planes and 137 Helicopters since War Began

Post shows video game footage, not the war in Ukraine

What's being described as footage of the war in Ukraine is seen through a scope, with faint chatter in the background and the blast of weapons obliterating tanks on the ground.

"In Saturday Russian artillery tanks was completely destroyed by Bayraktar TB2 drones," reads a grammatically problematic July 3 Facebook post sharing the video.

But if you watch long enough, the clip is clearly glitchy and the aesthetics might seem familiar ' we've previously fact-checked videos like it that mischaracterize video game footage to make it seem like it's a recording of live combat in Eastern Europe.

Searching for the video's description online, we found a YouTube post that gives more context, informing the reader that this isn't real war footage. We rate claims that this is real war footage False.

Read MorePost shows video game footage, not the war in Ukraine

Footage shows Polish flag at German band’s rock concert, not Indonesian flag

Two videos have been viewed over a million times in social media posts that claim they show an Indonesian flag flown during a concert by German rock band Scorpions after Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Ukraine and Russia to urge peace talks in late June 2022. The claim is false; the videos were taken during a Scorpions concert in Poland on May 28, 2022. News reports say the Polish and Ukrainian flags had been flown at the concert, not the Indonesian flag.

Read MoreFootage shows Polish flag at German band’s rock concert, not Indonesian flag

Footage of blaze on oil drilling platform filmed years before Ukraine attack

After Ukraine struck an oil drilling platform in the Black Sea that it said was being used by Russian troops, footage was viewed thousands of times in Chinese-language social media posts that claimed it showed the attack. However, the footage has circulated online since at least 2004, although AFP was unable to confirm where it was filmed.

Read MoreFootage of blaze on oil drilling platform filmed years before Ukraine attack

No, Moscow was not targeted in a missile attack

The video does not show a missile attack against the city of Moscow.
Footage used in a social media video claiming to be from the attack was taken from unrelated incidents.

Our ruling
A Facebook video shared images claiming to be from a missile strike on Moscow, implying Ukraine launched the attack against the Russian capital.

There appears to be no basis to the claim as there has been no reporting or corroborating evidence that missiles were launched at the city.

The video misrepresented footage from a separate incident several years ago as being from the attack and falsely claimed a fire at a Russian facility was part of a Ukrainian military strike.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

Read MoreNo, Moscow was not targeted in a missile attack