Category Misconceptions

No, a Ukrainian plane didn’t hit a street sign while avoiding Russian radar

Social media users have been circulating two photos showing a Ukrainian airplane that they say smacked into a street sign because it was flying low to avoid Russian radar. In reality, this incident happened during a training exercise back in August 2020 and has nothing to do with the war in Ukraine.
Read MoreNo, a Ukrainian plane didn’t hit a street sign while avoiding Russian radar

No, the infamous Canadian sniper Wali has not been killed in Ukraine

A number of viral posts on social media have claimed that a Canadian sniper, dubbed "the world's deadliest sniper", was killed within hours of arriving in Mariupol, Ukraine, where he had gone to fight. However the man, nicknamed Wali, is still alive and well. He told the FRANCE 24 Observers team that he thinks the disinformation around his death serves to dissuade foreign fighters from going to Ukraine.
Read MoreNo, the infamous Canadian sniper Wali has not been killed in Ukraine

Photos of Nazi symbols in Ukraine are shared out of context – Truth or Fake

Several videos and photos are circulating online, lending credibility to Russian claims of a serious neo-Nazi problem in Ukraine. The problem here though is that the images and videos are a distortion of reality and, in some cases, completely fictional. We take a closer look in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Read MorePhotos of Nazi symbols in Ukraine are shared out of context – Truth or Fake

No, these videos do not show a Russian hypersonic strike in Ukraine

The Russian military claimed to have used a hypersonic missile on March 18 to strike an underground warehouse in western Ukraine. Two videos have emerged on social networks claiming to show this attack, but, in fact, they have nothing to do with this event.
Read MoreNo, these videos do not show a Russian hypersonic strike in Ukraine

No, this military choir in Russia was not arrested for singing anti-war songs

Posts shared online claim to show members of a Russian military choir being arrested for singing anti-war songs. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has indeed cracked down on people spreading "false information" about the war in Ukraine, leading to many people's arrests, this video is not an example of that. In fact, it shows an incident from 2015 when the choir performed a song from a James Bond film.
Read MoreNo, this military choir in Russia was not arrested for singing anti-war songs

This video showing Ukrainians kneeling as a convoy passes was filmed before the current war

Tens of thousands of people have watched a video posted on Facebook that allegedly shows Ukrainians kneeling as a convoy carries religious relics through the streets of Kyiv to a bunker. However, this video is actually from several years ago and shows a funeral procession for fallen soldiers in another part of Ukraine.
Read MoreThis video showing Ukrainians kneeling as a convoy passes was filmed before the current war

A pre-recorded video? The pro-Russian hoax suggesting that Volodymyr Zelensky has left Ukraine

Russian media outlets, including Russia Today, are falsely claiming that the video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to a Kyiv hospital on March 13 was recorded last month, fuelling speculation that he has fled the country.
Read MoreA pre-recorded video? The pro-Russian hoax suggesting that Volodymyr Zelensky has left Ukraine

Fake: Video Ad Encourages Gays to Join the Armed Forces

The video, which the Russian media presented as an official promotional campaign of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is fake. This compilation of footage from random sources was broadcasted only by propaganda sources.
Read MoreFake: Video Ad Encourages Gays to Join the Armed Forces

Fake: Kyiv Says Ukraine Will Restore Gaza After War

Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development Yulia Svyrydenko did not make such a statement. The quote was spread only by pro-Russian outlets and social media netizens. Ukraine condemns the rocket attacks and aggression of Hamas against the population of Israel, and calls for every effort to de-escalate the conflict to seek peace and protect civilians.
Read MoreFake: Kyiv Says Ukraine Will Restore Gaza After War

Fake: Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Blackmails Germany to Get Weapons

Ukraine is preparing for a possible return of massive missile attacks by Russia on the country's energy system. In this context, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted that it is important for Ukraine to receive additional air defense equipment from its allies on the eve of winter.
Read MoreFake: Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Blackmails Germany to Get Weapons