Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: Italian Landmark Collapsed Because Funds Were Diverted to Ukraine

A historic tower in central Rome did not collapse because Italy "sent all its money to Ukraine." The medieval Torre dei Conti fell during fully funded restoration work. Italian authorities are investigating the incident as a workplace accident and possible negligence.

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False Quote Attributed to Olena Zelenska About Joining NATO Circulates

The quote attributed to Olena Zelenska is false. A similar phrase appeared in a 2022 BBC interview, but there she spoke not about enduring harsh conditions for 20-30 years or about joining NATO, but about 2-3 years and the prospect of joining the European Union

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Manipulation: Ukraine Lost a Billion Dollars by Signing a Contract With an “American Weapon Store” – FT

Claim by Viral social media post:
Ukraine Lost a Billion Dollars by Signing a Contract With an "American Weapon Store" - FT
StopFake rating:
The Financial Times did not write that Ukraine lost a billion dollars on this deal. The newspaper only reported on the arms supply contract that Ukraine signed with an Arizona company in the first months of the full-scale invasion. The company was never able to fulfill it due to the lack of experience in such large-scale deliveries. The irresponsible supplier received 17 million euros in advance, but Ukraine successfully sued for this money after the contract was canceled.

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Manipulation: Canada Backtracks on Plan to Send Repaired Armored Vehicles to Ukraine

Claim by Viral social media post:
Canada Backtracks on Plan to Send Repaired Armored Vehicles to Ukraine
StopFake rating:
Pro-Kremlin outlets have distorted the facts, portraying a routine contract adjustment as a sign that Ottawa is "abandoning" Kyiv. In truth, Canada remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine - continuing to deliver weapons, train Ukrainian forces, and finance key defense initiatives.

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Fake: Zelensky Blocked Trump-Putin Meeting

Claim by ukraina.ru:
Zelensky Blocked Trump-Putin Meeting
StopFake rating:
Kyiv flatly contradicted the narrative, with the Ukrainian President underscoring his support for diplomatic negotiations and asserting his readiness to participate in a prospective Trump-Putin summit.

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Fake: Zelensky Said He “No Longer Feels Welcome in the U.S.” After Meeting With Trump

Claim by Viral social media post:
Zelensky Said He "No Longer Feels Welcome in the U.S." After Meeting With Trump
StopFake rating:
The quote attributed to President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he "no longer feels like a welcome guest in the United States," is entirely fabricated. No such remark appears in official transcripts, press releases, or credible media coverage. In reality, Zelensky's statements following his meeting with Donald Trump were measured, underscoring Ukraine's willingness to maintain constructive dialogue and cooperation with Washington.

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Fake: Ukrainian Media Staged Olena Zelenska’s Meeting with Melania Trump

This photo is real. The first ladies met at the UN General Assembly in late September and discussed the protection of Ukrainian children. [...] However, this accusation against the Ukrainian media is completely unfounded. First, the photos are not identical: Melania Trump's facial expression and leg position are different in the photos. And secondly, the US First Lady took joint photos with Olena Zelenska and the Queen of Jordan on the same day, which is why she is wearing the same white suit. [...] There are no signs of editing on the photo with Zelenska.

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Fake: Ukrainian TV Doctored Zelensky’s UN Broadcast

A review of broadcast recordings and digital forensics shows the claim doesn't hold up. Ukrainian networks aired the official UN feed, while the version circulating online - showing a packed audience - was manipulated footage. [...] A review of the original United News broadcast - including the 1+1 TV segment - found no evidence of any 'added' audience. [...] The authentic broadcast carried unmistakable identifiers - the UN logo in the upper right corner and a Ukrainian-language audio track. By contrast, the fabricated version omitted these details, featured an English-language narration, and bore visible traces of AI manipulation.

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Fake: Ukraine’s International Legion Is Recruiting Germans for Revenge Against Russia

The International Legion firmly denied any role in the appearance of the leaflets. Their limited distribution - confined to a single district of Berlin - points to a staged provocation designed to discredit Ukraine and its armed forces. [...] Notably, the leaflets appeared only in a single Berlin district and carried an overtly propagandistic message - an appeal to a 'sense of revenge.' [...] The press service of the International Legion of Defence of Ukraine told StopFake it had no connection to the creation, distribution, or promotion of the leaflets.

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