Social media users have been sharing false claims that the Ukrainian army sold two of the heavy-duty CAESAR howitzers - given by France - to Russia for $120,000 per unit. In this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl, we look into the source of these rumours - which are based on false posts from two years ago - and why the outlet behind them is not trustworthy.
Russian disinformation has created a fraudulent report purporting to come from our sister radio station RFI, insinuating that "Ukrainian soldiers sent for tuberculosis treatment in France" are responsible for France's recent rebound in the disease. Meanwhile, French authorities have taken down a fake French armed forces website, which invited French citizens to enlist in Ukraine. We explain in this edition of Truth or Fake.
US officials have intelligence that the Islamic State group's Afghan affiliate IS-Khorasan is responsible for the Moscow attack. "ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement. With regard to the claim about NATO plans to send its troops to Ukraine, as the organisation itself explains:
"NATO is an alliance of 32 sovereign countries, NATO relies on the military forces of its member countries to carry out an operation or mission, as it does not possess military forces of its own.....National capitals take the final decision on whether or not to contribute to a NATO-led operation or mission".
This information has not been confirmed. French troops cannot enter Ukrainian territory without the permission of the Ukrainian government. Moreover, "FranceNews24" is not a reliable source of information. There are no contact details or information about the owners or team of the publication on the "FranceNews24" website.
Russia's economy has felt serious impact from the international sanctions its unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The ruble has weakened and inflation is soaring. Despite Moscow's welcoming efforts, Foreign Direct Investment is falling. Hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens have fled the country since the outbreak the invasion. Sanctions on Russia's banking and financial system, the embargo on electronic components and the price caps on Russian oil and petroleum products have also led to serious consequences for the Russian economy.
Poland, France and Germany adhere to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. No state, except the Russian Federation, violated Ukraine's territorial integrity in a display of imperial, revisionist aggression.
The assertion that collecting signatures is easier and more democratic in Russia than in France, thereby enabling smaller candidates to compete, is contradicted by reality.
Twelve candidates participated in the 2022 French elections. In contrast, only one independent candidate competed in the 2024 Russian elections: Vladimir Putin.
€53 billion of the €138 billion (38.4%) were provided to Ukraine in the last three months, since December 2023, when the amount of EU support totaled €85 billion. This demonstrates that European support to Ukraine has been on an upward trajectory contrary to claims made by pro-Kremlin outlets.
The article does not provide any evidence to support the claim. France rejected the allegations, saying it was helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity but had no mercenaries in Ukraine "unlike certain others." France labeled the assertion as 'another clumsy Russian manipulation.'
On 26 February 2024, the French president Emmanuel Macron said "no option should be discarded" to bolster military support for Kyiv at a conference attended by leaders of Ukraine's allies, but recognized there was "no consensus". The aim of such a statement was to discourage Russia from further escalation of the invasion of Ukraine. France like many other states are assisting Ukraine in its self defence.