Category Fact checks / debunkings

Putin’s Generation Z: Kremlin pro-war propaganda targets young Russians

Vladimir Putin's Ukraine War is not going according to plan, with Ukrainian forces rebuffing attempts to capture Kyiv and forcing a general Russian retreat from the north of the country. Nevertheless, there remains no end in sight to hostilities, with every indication that Moscow is preparing for a long campaign. As the Russian military begins a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin is accelerating efforts to indoctrinate young Russians and consolidate the pro-war consensus on the domestic front for a further generation.

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Doctored CNN tweet circulates in posts about ‘child soldiers training in Ukraine’

An image shared in multiple social media posts in different countries purports to show a genuine tweet from CNN about child soldiers in Ukraine. The claim is false; AFP found no evidence that the tweet was ever published by CNN, and the US broadcaster said it was fabricated. The photo in the posts has circulated online since at least 2018 in reports about Ukrainian children learning battlefield skills at a summer camp, and the photographer told AFP it was "never used" by CNN.

Read MoreDoctored CNN tweet circulates in posts about ‘child soldiers training in Ukraine’

Social media posts overplay North Korea’s support for Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts say

Social media posts claim North Korea has decided to send troops to Ukraine to support Russia, citing a report by Russian state media. However, the report makes no mention of North Korea sending troops to Ukraine. There have been no official reports or statements to support the claim, as of April 26. North Korean experts told AFP it was "highly unlikely" that Pyongyang would deploy troops to Ukraine.

Read MoreSocial media posts overplay North Korea’s support for Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts say

Commemorative Zelenskyy coins created by private gift shop, not Biden White House

The commemorative coins honoring Volodymyr Zelenskyy were created for sale by a private company called the White House Gift Shop, not the U.S. government.

Social media users are falsely claiming that the Biden White House created special coins honoring Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Despite what the posts suggest, the commemorative coins were created by a private company, not President Joe Biden's White House.

The nonprofit White House Historical Association ' which runs two retail shops located near the White House in Washington, including one at the White House Visitor Center ' confirmed to PolitiFact that its stores are not selling the commemorative Zelenskyy coins. There is no mention of the coins on the White House's official government website, either.

We rate this Facebook post False.

Read MoreCommemorative Zelenskyy coins created by private gift shop, not Biden White House

Fake: National Guard Order – Surrendering Soldiers to Be Executed

An "order" being circulated online is a fake. Several errors in the document's wording and style point to the fact that it is not genuine. Desertion as well as voluntary surrender are punishable offense as set forth in Ukraine's Criminal code. According to Criminal Code Article 430, voluntary surrender due to cowardice is punishable by imprisonment up to seven-ten years.

Read MoreFake: National Guard Order – Surrendering Soldiers to Be Executed

This video does not show the Moskva warship exploding — it’s a 2013 Norwegian military exercise

A video has been viewed millions of times on social media, alongside the claim that it shows the Russian warship Moskva exploding. The claim is false: the video is a clipped and edited version of one that has been circulating online since at least 2013, which shows the Norwegian armed forces using a decommissioned frigate for target practice.

Read MoreThis video does not show the Moskva warship exploding — it’s a 2013 Norwegian military exercise