Category Methods

Fake: Zelensky to Legalize “Polish Seizure of Ukraine”

According to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the law on the special status of Polish citizens in Ukraine will mirror the law adopted by the Polish parliament, the Sejm concerning assistance to Ukrainian citizens forced from their country by Russia's war. Under this law, citizens of Ukraine have the same rights as Polish citizens, except for the right to vote. This includes the right to legally reside in Poland, travel, work and open a business without a special work permit, access to education, the public health service and social assistance, including unemployment insurance.

Fake: Uber Refuses to Transport Ukrainian Refugees

The Uber transportation and mobility company has made no announcements about refusing to transport Ukrainian refugees anywhere in the world.

June 4, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Faked news reports Germany International community Methods Russia Russian propaganda Ukraine

Fake: Ukraine to Stop All Payments in the Kherson Region

Despite the temporary Russian occupation, residents of Kherson and the surrounding region continue to receive all social benefits they are due. Possible delays in payments may be due to technical problems or additional processing required due to the occupation.

May 31, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Media taken out of context Methods Russia Ukraine

Photo of Putin wearing crinkled suit has circulated online since 2017

An image of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been shared thousands of times online alongside a claim he "has started to wear a bulletproof vest" after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Part of Putin's wrinkled suit jacket was circled in the posts as evidence for the claim. The photo has been shared in a false context: it has circulated in reports since mid-2017, almost five years before Russian troops invaded Ukraine.

May 31, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Images Media formats Media taken out of context Methods Misconceptions Putin Resources Russia

Fake: OSCE Provided Communications and Intelligence for Azov in Mariupol

The OSCE has categorically denied that it provided communications and intelligence to the Ukrainian military based in the Azovstal plant in Ukraine's southeastern port city of Mariupol. OSCE representatives emphasized that they never provided any additional information, except for open-source official reports, and did not support any of the parties to the conflict.

May 30, 2022
Fact checks / debunkings Faked news reports Methods Russia Ukraine

Fake: Mriya Transport Plane Wreckage Disposed of

The Antonov Company denies the disinformation disseminated by Russian media, claiming the wreckage of the world's largest aircraft, the Mriya Antonov An-225 cargo plane has been disposed of. The wreckage is being kept as evidence of Russian invaders' crimes.

No, a photo of burning books was not taken during current war in Ukraine

Photo claiming to show burning Ukrainian history books isn't from the current war with Russia. It actually dates back to March 2010.

FACT CHECK: Did CNN Report That A Man Named ‘Bernie Gores’ Was Killed In The Uvalde, Texas School Shooting? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
A CNN spokesperson denied the outlet published such an article. The man pictured has been falsely linked to similar tragedies in the past.

Picture does not show decorated officer among Russian prisoners

Social media users shared a photo claiming to show that a senior US military commander was among captives when Ukrainian soldiers defending the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol surrendered to Russian troops in May. But the claim is false; retired Admiral Eric Olson confirmed to AFP that he was not in Ukraine, and the photo appeared in Russian media a month before the surrender.

Photo shows Moscow’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1990, not chain’s closure in Russia

A photo has been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim it shows Russians queuing to purchase their final meal at a McDonald's restaurant before the American fast-food giant closed all outlets in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Although local media reported that Russians flocked to McDonald's restaurants after the closure was announced, the photo has been shared in a false context. It was taken by an AFP photographer in January 1990 at the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant in the Soviet Union.