Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: Kyiv Forbids Keeping in Touch with Ukrainians in the Temporarily Occupied Territories

Such statements are not true. There are no sanctions for communicating with residents of temporarily occupied territories. There are some obstacles such as problems with communication and the safety of people who are under occupation. But they are a direct consequence of Russia's armed aggression in Ukraine and the violent seizure of Ukrainian territories by the Russian military.

October 14, 2024
Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Russia Russian propaganda Ukraine

Fake: Western Countries Begin Partition of Ukrainian Regions

None of the ally states, except aggressive Russia, have any territorial claims to Ukraine. Experts suggest rebuilding post-war Ukraine using the experience of the Second World War aftermath.

October 14, 2024
Aid to Ukraine Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings International community Misconceptions NGOs Russia Russian propaganda Ukraine USA

Fake: First Children’s Brigade Being Formed in Ukraine

In a comment for StopFake, the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Sumy region claimed that this information is fake. There is even no 153rd brigade in the Armed Forces. Instead, the 153rd separate battalion of the territorial defense was formed in Shostka at the very beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. In Ukraine, only citizens over the age of 18 are considered conscripts and can be drafted.

October 14, 2024
Children Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Protected groups & minorities Russia Russian propaganda Ukraine

Biden urged aid for Israel, Ukraine. He didn’t declare World War III

A video in a recent Facebook post cobbles together quotes from an Oct. 19 address by President Joe Biden as evidence that the commander in chief has confirmed World War III is underway. President Joe Biden urged aid for Israel and Ukraine in a recent primetime address; he didn't declare World War III. We rate claims Biden confirmed World War III on live TV - or anywhere - False.

Russian President Vladimir Putin suffered a heart attack Oct. 22, 2023.

Unverified reports about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health have been circulating online, driven by social media. The Kremlin denied Russian President Vladimir Putin was ill. Photos released by Russian media show Putin at meetings and public events in the days after this supposed health emergency. The claim started on Telegram, a platform known for facilitating the spread of misinformation about Russia. The account that made the claim has shared other dubious reports about Putin's health in the past. Based on available information, we rate the claim that Putin recently suffered a heart attack False.

October 14, 2024
Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Putin Russia

Rakvere products in Russian propaganda

In response to the viral photos, the representative also raised questions about their authenticity, pointing out that labels on the products appeared to be printed on paper and merely taped onto the goods. [...] In a twist to the viral post, Facebook users have taken the investigation a step further. They’ve tried to identify the specific store and pointed out that it is currently out of service.

October 14, 2024
Fact checks / debunkings Media taken out of context Methods Misconceptions Russia

Fake: Biden Says Money For The Deaths of Ukrainians is an United States’ Investment

Biden was not referring to investments in "killing Ukrainians" or the American military-industrial complex, as the Russian media wrote. The president was talking about investing in the security and stability of the democratic world. Biden noted that when terrorists do not pay the price for their terror, and dictators do not pay for their aggression, they cause even more chaos, death and destruction, triggering a chain of unpunished cruelty around the world. The American President emphasized that there is a direct link between Ukraine's victory in the Russian war and the well-being of American citizens. Biden emphasized that if we do not stop dictator Putin and his ilk now, after Ukraine and Israel, they will move on to other countries â the NATO countries, including the United States.

Fake: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny Is Preparing a Military Coup

The Ukrainian Forces Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny, did not say anything of the sort. This video is a high-quality fake, a so-called deepfake, created using artificial intelligence.

October 14, 2024
AI-generated images Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Media formats Media taken out of context Methods Misconceptions Resources Ukraine Video

Fake: Ukrainian Orthodox Churches Celebrate Halloween

Halloween was not celebrated in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine temples. In the original video, the choir performs the church song How Beautiful is Your Temple, Mother of God, and not the song dedicated to evil spirits holiday. In addition, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church publicly condemns any celebration of Halloween.

October 14, 2024
Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Media taken out of context Methods Misconceptions Religion Religious freedom Ukraine

Fake: Ukrainians Demand Ransom from the Deceased Hamas Hostage’s Family

There is no police investigation claiming that the family of Shani Louk, who was killed by Hamas, received ransom calls from Ukraine. Neither the German media WDR, cited by the propagandists, nor any other credible sources published such news. Propaganda used the signature style of the German media to justify Hamas and denigrate Ukraine.