Category Canada

Manipulation: “Portrait of Petliura Hangs Instead of Icon” in UOCC Church | StopFake

Representatives of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Andrew in Toronto have denied claims that a portrait of Symon Petliura hangs in the sanctuary or that the Ukrainian historical figure is being honoured as a "saint". The portrait of Petliura is in a parish hall, not on the altar, and is therefore not an icon. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC) is an independent church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is not a parish of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

Read MoreManipulation: “Portrait of Petliura Hangs Instead of Icon” in UOCC Church | StopFake

Fake: Ukraine to Mobilize 30,000 Canadians Says Ukrainian Defense Minister

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has not asked the Canadian government to send 30,000 Canadians of Ukrainian origin to Ukraine. He never said the words that are being attributed to him in Russian media and in various social media posts. The quote comes from a Russian satirical Telegram channel.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine to Mobilize 30,000 Canadians Says Ukrainian Defense Minister

Posts falsely claim Ukraine issued stamps to honour Nazi figure from World War II

Canada's recognition in parliament of Canadian-Ukrainian World War II veteran Yaroslav Hunka, who fought on the side of the Nazis, sparked public outrage in September 2023. Pro-Russian social media accounts seized the moment, alleging that Ukraine had released a postage stamp to immortalise Hunka. But the claim is false: AFP Fact Check found that the barcode on the stamp belongs to another series of Ukrainian stamps. Ukraine's national postal service also confirmed the Hunka stamp does not exist.

Read MorePosts falsely claim Ukraine issued stamps to honour Nazi figure from World War II

Montreal unions demonstration unrelated to federal funding for Ukraine

Footage of a large demonstration in Montreal is being misrepresented in posts that claim the protesters took to the streets to voice anger over Canada's support for Ukraine. In fact, the clip shows a march coordinated by four unions seeking higher wages in contract negotiations with the provincial government in Quebec.

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Tokyo video doctored to add anti-Zelensky billboard

A video circulating online appears to show a prominent digital billboard in Japan saying, "Stop war" and "Stop Zelenskyy." But the clip has been doctored; the sign featured people -- not the anti-Ukraine message -- in otherwise matching footage posted to YouTube in 2020, prior to Russia's invasion.

Read MoreTokyo video doctored to add anti-Zelensky billboard

False posts claim Canadian sniper ‘Wali’ was killed shortly after arriving in Ukraine

Multiple posts on Facebook have claimed that a sharpshooting Canadian sniper known as Wali was killed by Russian special forces 20 minutes after he arrived on the frontline in Mariupol, Ukraine as a volunteer fighter. However, this is false; the man, a former Canadian Armed Forces sniper, dispelled the rumours of his death during a video call.

Read MoreFalse posts claim Canadian sniper ‘Wali’ was killed shortly after arriving in Ukraine

Montreal avenue not renamed after Ukrainian president

Social media posts claim that the avenue outside the Russian consulate in Montreal was renamed for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a show of support for the country after it was invaded by Russia. This is false; the Avenue Zelensky sign pictured in the posts was installed during the filming of a satirical television program, and the city told AFP that the name of the street remains unchanged.

Read MoreMontreal avenue not renamed after Ukrainian president