Category Misconceptions

Manipulation: Former NATO Commander Praises Russian Army and Give Up on Ukrainian Forces

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe James Stavridis did not say that the Russian army is significantly superior to the Ukrainian army, and certainly did not "give up on the Ukrainian army." He only noted that the Russian army currently has a significant advantage in aviation. In his column on the Bloomberg website, Stavridis emphasizes the importance of further military support for Ukraine from its Western partners. The ex-military officer also notes that, with sufficient means, Ukraine "will at a minimum be able to hold off further significant Russian land gains."
Read MoreManipulation: Former NATO Commander Praises Russian Army and Give Up on Ukrainian Forces

Fake: Ukrainian Resort Bukovel Saves Guests from Mobilization for Money

In a comment to StopFake, the resort's press service denied the existence of such a service and noted that representatives of Territorial drafting centers have full access to the territory of Bukovel.
Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Resort Bukovel Saves Guests from Mobilization for Money

Fact Check: Did Zelensky Buy $20 Million Mansion in Florida?

Although Zelensky and his business partners had several offshore companies and properties, according to financial documents leaked in 2021, none of those assets are in Florida. And the Florida home that purportedly belongs to him actually belongs to a couple who bought the property more than four years ago.
Read MoreFact Check: Did Zelensky Buy $20 Million Mansion in Florida?

Manipulation: Polish and British Special Forces Have Been Fighting in Ukraine Since The Very…

We are talking about training and counseling of the Ukrainian military, which took place long before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As for the participation of the Poles, the book "Poland at War," cited by the propaganda, confirms that they were withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine after the start of the [full-scale] war at the insistence of the Polish authorities.
Read MoreManipulation: Polish and British Special Forces Have Been Fighting in Ukraine Since The Very…

Did Zelenskyy Urge Western Countries, ‘Don’t Build Roads, Spend All of Your Money on Weapons’?

In the interview, Zelenskyy did say the words, "Do this: Not build roads for today. Don't do it. Spend all your money to the weapon, to the drones, to the society, to the pensions, and et cetera. [...] We have only one enemy, this is Putin, and that's it." However, Zelenskyy was addressing Ukrainian leaders, not Western leaders. Moreover, he did not beg Western leaders to send all their money to Ukraine, as claimed.
Read MoreDid Zelenskyy Urge Western Countries, ‘Don’t Build Roads, Spend All of Your Money on Weapons’?

Tucker Carlson Misrepresents Defense Secretary’s Remarks on U.S. Troops, Ukraine Aid

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III reportedly told House members that failure to provide more aid for Ukraine could lead to Russia's invasion of a NATO ally and a direct U.S. military response in accordance with the NATO treaty. A viral post by Tucker Carlson misleadingly omits Austin's explanation of why U.S. troops might be required.
Read MoreTucker Carlson Misrepresents Defense Secretary’s Remarks on U.S. Troops, Ukraine Aid

Fake: Ukraine Recognizes a Person With One Leg As Fit for Military Service

A person with an amputated leg was never considered fit for military service. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, a person with a diagnosis of "unilateral amputated stump of the lower limb above the level of the upper third of the lower leg" is unfit for military service. In a comment to StopFake, a territorial center of recruitment and social support representative said that the document looks like a fake.
Read MoreFake: Ukraine Recognizes a Person With One Leg As Fit for Military Service

Fake: Ukraine Arrests and Tortures American Blogger Gonzalo Lira “For Criticizing Zelenskyi”

Blogger Gonzalo Lira is in custody not for criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyi, but for violating Article 436-2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code - justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine. In particular, Lira publicly justified Russia's attack on Ukraine, denied Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and mass killings of civilians in Bucha and other cities, revealed the location and identities of Western journalists and the Ukrainian military. Additionally, there is no evidence that any torture was used against Gonzalo Lira.
Read MoreFake: Ukraine Arrests and Tortures American Blogger Gonzalo Lira “For Criticizing Zelenskyi”

Fake: Ukrainian Government Tried to Sell Scythian Gold at Sotheby’s – Bloomberg

This news is fake, and the story of the attempted sale of Scythian gold is made up. Bloomberg did not publish such stories either on its website or in its social media. Currently, the archaeological objects known as Scythian gold from Crimea, returned to Ukraine from the Netherlands, are under close guard at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.
Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Government Tried to Sell Scythian Gold at Sotheby’s – Bloomberg

Video Fake: Ukrainian Military Leaving Their Positions in Bilohorivka

The video was most likely edited. There is a discrepancy between the facial expressions of the man and the words he is saying. In addition, the landscape and weather conditions depicted in the video suggest that the original video was filmed before winter began. Additionally, the press service of the 119th separate brigade of the Military Police in the Chernihiv region stated that the person in the video does not serve in their unit.
Read MoreVideo Fake: Ukrainian Military Leaving Their Positions in Bilohorivka