Category International community

DISINFO: The Polish special services fabricated documents against the Polish judge for his pro-peace position

This message is a part of a wider narrative about the lack of democracy in Western countries, in this case, it promotes the idea that an "aggressive" Poland persecutes its citizens for their political views.

No evidence is provided to support this claim.

This claim was made in connection with the accusations and statements of the Polish Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who ran away to Belarus on 9 May 2024 seeking "political asylum" in this country. In Poland, he is under the suspicion of espionage in favour of Belarus and was stripped of his immunity.

Read MoreDISINFO: The Polish special services fabricated documents against the Polish judge for his pro-peace position

DISINFO: The Polish, American, British and Ukrainian secret services may hunt the Polish run-away judge down

This message is a part of a wider narrative about the lack of democracy in Western countries, in this case, it promotes the idea that "aggressive" Poland and other democratic countries order political murders of the run-away "dissidents".

No evidence is provided to support this claim, which is part of a classic "whataboutism" along the line "you blame me for bad things, but you do the same yourself". It is a whataboutism attempt to deflect attentiona away from Russia's assignations made in UK (like Alexander Litvinenko), Germany (the Tiergarden murder) and other attempts on political opponent such as former rusisan agent Sergei Skripal, and his daughter Yulia which were targeted with a Novichok chemical nerve critical in Salisbury, UK.

This claim was made in connection with the accusations and statements of the Polish Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who ran away to Belarus on 9 May 2024 seeking "political asylum" in this country. In Poland, he is under the suspicion of espionage in favour of Belarus and was stripped of his immunity.

Read MoreDISINFO: The Polish, American, British and Ukrainian secret services may hunt the Polish run-away judge down

DISINFO: International law expert Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt assesses Ukraine’s war crimes

False claim made in connection with the case of Polish Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who fled to Belarus seeking "political asylum". For several months, he was observed by the Polish special services who suspected him of espionage in favour of Belarus and Russia.

Tomasz Szmydt is not an expert in International Public Law and has limited professional authority to accuse Ukraine of war crimes (see previous accusations in our database).

In 2019, as explained by DW: "Szmydt made headlines when he was identified as being a member of a group of judges waging a smear campaign on social media against other judges"

Read MoreDISINFO: International law expert Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt assesses Ukraine’s war crimes

No, French pilots did not ‘accidentally’ paint a Russian flag during Olympic flyover – Truth or Fake

Social media users are sharing a viral video that purports to show French pilots painting a Russian flag in the sky, instead of a French one, during Marseille's Olympic flyover event. We explain if this was an accident or rather an optical illusion, in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreNo, French pilots did not ‘accidentally’ paint a Russian flag during Olympic flyover – Truth or Fake

No, ‘hundreds’ of bodies of NATO soldiers were not repatriated from Ukraine

Recent months have seen a spike in disinformation about NATO and Ukraine's allies on social media, following French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on sending Western ground troops to fight in Ukraine. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreNo, ‘hundreds’ of bodies of NATO soldiers were not repatriated from Ukraine

China not ‘ready to intervene’ if US and Nato attack Russia. Ignore false old claim dismissed by Chinese defence ministry in 2022 – Africa Check

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, claims that China has threatened the US and Nato are false.

Read MoreChina not ‘ready to intervene’ if US and Nato attack Russia. Ignore false old claim dismissed by Chinese defence ministry in 2022 – Africa Check

Debunking false rumours that Ukraine sold Russia its French-made artillery – Truth or Fake

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.

Read MoreDebunking false rumours that Ukraine sold Russia its French-made artillery – Truth or Fake

FALSE: Mark Milley urged Ukrainians to conduct terrorist attacks on Russian territory

Mark Milley was referring to actions in the occupied territories, not Russia. The USA does not encourage Ukrainian forces to strike outside their own borders

Read MoreFALSE: Mark Milley urged Ukrainians to conduct terrorist attacks on Russian territory

DISINFO: Crocus Hall terrorists confess Ukraine was involved in attack

U.S 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.

Read MoreDISINFO: Crocus Hall terrorists confess Ukraine was involved in attack