Category Russia

Fake: One Third of Annual Patriot Missile Production Destroyed in Ukraine

Without providing any evidence, anonymous sources are claiming that one third of the Patriot missiles produced annually are being destroyed in Ukraine. There are over 240 Patriot systems in 18 different countries in total (with Ukraine being the 19th), and thousands of missiles with different characteristics are produced for them. This sprint American defense companies have also signed additional contracts with the US Army for the production of Patriot missile systems components.

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Fake: ICEYE Satellite Purchased by Ukrainians is Used for News Broadcasting

Ukrainian journalists have not published any investigations regarding the ICEYE satellite purchased by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation through donations from Ukrainians. Satellites for television signal transmission and the ICEYE operate in different orbits and serve different purposes.

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Fake: West Needs to Plan for Ukraine’s Future As If Its Counteroffensive Already Failed…

The Foreign Affairs article does not address a need to plan Ukraine's future after a failed counteroffensive. This conclusion was fabricated by Russian propagandists. The authors of the article discuss the need for the West to plan long-term support for Ukraine, as there is currently no clear plan for what will happen after the counteroffensive. However, the United States and other European countries have repeatedly stated they will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Read MoreFake: West Needs to Plan for Ukraine’s Future As If Its Counteroffensive Already Failed…

When Russian propaganda mimics French news to spread disinformation – Truth or Fake

For several months, at least six fake anti-Ukraine covers of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo have been circulating online, especially on Russian Telegram channels. Now a fake news report, attributed to French media outlet 20 Minutes, falsely accuses Russian independent journalist Ilya Ber of being behind these Charlie Hebdo covers. We debunk this false news report in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreWhen Russian propaganda mimics French news to spread disinformation – Truth or Fake

Fake: Ukraine’s Population Falls to 20 Million

As of January 2023, Ukraine's population ranged from 28 to 34 million people, according to Ukraine's Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies. Temporarily occupied territories are not included in the calculations. The United Nations Population Fund meanwhile cited a figure of 36.7 million people, taking into account the temporarily occupied territories.

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Old video of Russian tank toppling over at military parade resurfaces in Ukraine war posts

An old video of a Russian tank toppling over at a military parade has been viewed tens of thousands of times in posts that misleadingly claim the driver who overturned the vehicle subsequently avoided being sent to the front line in the war against Ukraine. The clip -- which recirculated shortly after a military parade in Moscow in May 2023 -- corresponds with media reports from 2018 about an accident at another event in the western Russian city of Kursk.

Read MoreOld video of Russian tank toppling over at military parade resurfaces in Ukraine war posts

FACT CHECK: Did Vladimir Putin Collapse After Suffering A Heart Attack? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
The screenshot appears to be digitally fabricated, as the headline neither appears on the outlet’s website nor its social media accounts. A reverse image search reveals the photos were created using artificial intelligence (AI).

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Did Vladimir Putin Collapse After Suffering A Heart Attack? | Check Your Fact

Video Fake: Ukrainian Refugee Complaining About Living in Europe

The video circulating online is satirical and its author is not and has
never been a 'Ukrainian refugee in Europe.' The woman from the video
permanently lives in Ukraine and films many satirical sketches on TikTok.
However, Russian propaganda used the 48-second joke video to once again
discredit Ukrainian refugees.

Read MoreVideo Fake: Ukrainian Refugee Complaining About Living in Europe

Old video falsely shared as anti-Putin protest in Russia in May 2023

A video has surfaced in social media posts that falsely claim it shows protesters rallying against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May 2023. While Russians have genuinely protested against Putin's war in Ukraine, the footage shows an anti-Kremlin protest in May 2013.

Read MoreOld video falsely shared as anti-Putin protest in Russia in May 2023