Category Fact checks / debunkings

Manipulation: IAEA Denies Russian Troops Mined Zaporizhzhia NPP

In fact, the IAEA did not deny, but confirmed the fact that the Zaporizhzhia NPP was mined by Russian troops. A press release on the organization's website said that Zaporizhzhia NPP was mined around the perimeter and in some places inside the plant, which does not meet safety standards. The organization could not confirm the fact that the cooling pond on the territory of the plant was mined as of June 15, when IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was visiting the plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency called the situation with nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant extremely unstable.

June 23, 2023
Coordinated disinformation Disinformation Escalation / WWIII Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Narratives Russia Ukraine

Fake: The West is Stealing Art Objects From Ukraine

Ukraine decided to temporarily evacuate sixteen Byzantine icons from the
Khanenko Museum to the Louvre due to continuous Russian shelling of the
civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage sites. The Ministry of
Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine assures that the icons will
return home as soon as the situation allows. As a reminder, in October
2022, as a result of a Russian missile attack, the historical building and
interior decoration of the Khanenko Museum were damaged.

Accounting error on military support does not mean US sent Ukraine $6.2 billion by mistake

The U.S. committed about $78 billion in humanitarian, financial and military assistance to Ukraine from January 2022 to February 2023, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German-based research organization that tracks nations' support of Ukraine, reported.

The U.S. total included $47 billion in military aid. That figure ranked highest among all nations and 14th as a percentage of gross domestic product.

A Pew Research Center poll in June of U.S. adults age 18 and older found that 31% of respondents said the U.S. is providing the right amount of aid to Ukraine, 28% said too much and 16% said not enough.

The Pentagon did not say that it mistakenly sent Ukraine $6.2 billion in cash.

We rate the Facebook post False.

June 22, 2023
Aid oversight Aid to Ukraine Corruption Fact checks / debunkings International community Military aid Misconceptions Ukraine USA

Fake: Cholera in Lower Reaches of Dnipro Caused by US Biolabs

Ukrainian Ministry of Health assesses water quality in the reservoirs of Kherson, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions on a daily basis, and the epidemic situation is currently under control, with no outbreaks of infectious diseases in the affected areas. The narrative about the US biolabs is not confirmed either by specialized experts from different countries or by international organizations working to reduce the threat of proliferation of mass destruction weapons.

Fake: Ukraine’s President Zelensky Disappointed with Country’s Counteroffensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not issued any statements about
any counteroffensive "failure". He has stressed that the war in Ukraine is
"not a Hollywood movie" and that the lives of Ukrainian citizens are at
stake.

Fake: Russia Will Restore Kakhovka Power Plant in a Year

According to Ukrhydroenergo, which Kakhovka Hydropower Plant is a subdivision of, the station blown up by the Russian occupiers was completely destroyed and cannot be restored. The construction of the new hydroelectric power station will last at least five years, provided that Ukrainian specialists work 24/7.

Fake: Olena Zelenska Received an Israeli Citizen Passport

The document circulating online is fake. This is evidenced by the many errors in the so-called passport, in particular, the misspelled Hebrew name, surname, nationality and birth place of Olena Zelenska, as well as the validity period of the document.

Manipulation: Defense Minister Reznikov Doesn’t Expect Too Much From Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Minister Reznikov did not make such statements in his interview with the Nashe Vremya media outlet, but only said that this counteroffensive would not be a lightning campaign like the Kherson and Kharkiv campaigns, and that Ukrainian commanders would gradually accomplish their tasks.

This video does not show Mexican cartel members with US weapons smuggled from Ukraine – Truth or Fake

Social media users are sharing a viral video that allegedly shows US Javelin anti-tank missile systems, destined for Ukraine, in the hands of Mexican cartel members. The artillery in question is not a Javelin; experts conclude that the cartel members in the video are carrying another type of weapon. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

June 20, 2023
Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine

Did RFK Jr. Claim That Ukraine Has Cost U.S. $8 Trillion?

A representative for Kennedy Jr. told Newsweek via email that "the candidate misspoke."

They added: "What he meant was that spending on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars totaled $8 trillion. He apologizes for the misstatement."

Whatever Kennedy Jr.'s intended message was, the lack of detail does appear to have caused some to believe that the U.S. has spent $8 trillion on Ukraine which is, quite clearly, not correct.

June 19, 2023
Aid to Ukraine Disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine USA