Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: Sumy Region Residents are Compelled to Pay for “Forced Evacuation”

These reports are a complete fabrication. Evacuation from the border areas of Sumy region has not yet begun. The local authorities are still compiling lists of those willing to move to safer regions, after which free transfers and accommodation will be organized for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Sumy Regional Military Administration emphasizes that there will be no emergency or forced evacuation. If someone decides to refuse to be evacuated, it is enough to write a request.

July 20, 2023

Corruption Disinformation Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine Russia

Did Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Ask for Donations to Ukraine?

Claim: Country music star couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood once recorded a video to ask people to donate money to help Ukraine's relief efforts following Russia's invasion of the country.
Rating: True

July 20, 2023

Fact checks / debunkings USA Private donations Ukraine Russia Aid to Ukraine International community

Famous football chant misrepresented as Ukrainians celebrating Crimea bridge blast

A video circulating online purports to show Ukrainians in a packed pub celebrating the country's recent attack on the Kerch bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea. But the footage is being misrepresented; it shows Wigan Athletic football fans chanting: "Will Grigg's on fire!" in 2016 about the English club's then-striker.

July 20, 2023

Media taken out of context Fact checks / debunkings Methods Misconceptions Ukraine Hungary International community

Does Zelensky Live in $5.5M Mansion With Infinity Pool?

The tweet by Churchill offers no evidence that the image of a luxury property she shared belonged to Zelensky. Social media users were quick to point out that the image was taken from a real estate website for a property that was on sale for $5.5 million. It appears to be the latest unfounded accusation that Zelensky has faced that he has amassed properties around the world.

July 19, 2023

Corruption Disinformation Russian propaganda Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine

Fake: Ukraine Asks Interpol to Return those Who Flee Mobilization

Ukraine has not asked Interpol to help track down Ukrainians who are evading mobilization. There is a more compelling reason for Ukraine to work with Interpol: to bring suspected collaborators who fled Ukraine to justice.

July 19, 2023

Disinformation Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Media taken out of context Fact checks / debunkings Methods European Union Misconceptions Ukraine Russia International community

Fake: Pope Francis Calls on Ukraine to Dismiss Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Abbot

Russian media and Telegram channels' claims that the Pope has allegedly called on Ukrainian authorities to dismiss the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra abbot is baseless. As of today, none of the Vatican's official resources have published anything about this.

July 19, 2023

Religion Disinformation Ukrainian culture Attacks on religion Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine Russia War crimes

Fake: Russia Wins All Gold Medals at Japan Physics Olympiad

The Russian team did not win all the gold medals at the international
student physics competition. In reality, Russian students won only five
gold medals out of a total o of thirty-seven.

July 19, 2023

Disinformation Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Russia International community

Is This a Real Video of a Traffic Jam of People Fleeing Crimea in July 2023?

According to social media users, tourists were leaving Crimea in the aftermath of an attack on a significant bridge.

July 18, 2023

Fact checks / debunkings Ukraine Russia

Fake: Zelensky Admits that the US Started the War in Ukraine

Ukraine's President did not make any statements about the war in Ukraine
being started by the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky once again
emphasised that Ukraine decides on operations to de-occupy its territories
from Russian invaders.

July 18, 2023

Disinformation Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Media taken out of context Fact checks / debunkings USA Methods Misconceptions Ukraine Russia International community

Fake: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Icons To Be Auctioned in Paris

A French auction house representative told StopFake that a billboard
advertising the sale of Ukrainian icons from the Kyiv Monastery of the
Caves is fake, and no such an auction is planned. The Osenat website has no
auctions scheduled for October 1. Claims that the West is exporting and
selling Ukrainian artworks are Russian disinformation.

July 18, 2023

Religion Disinformation Faked publications: billboards ads magazines etc Attacks on religion Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine Russia War crimes International community France