Category International community

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.

Read MoreFake: Cholera in Lower Reaches of Dnipro Caused by US Biolabs

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.

Read MoreFake: Olena Zelenska Received an Israeli Citizen Passport
Did RFK Jr. Claim That Ukraine Has Cost U.S. $8 Trillion?

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.

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

Fake: Ukrainian Intelligence Chief Budanov Felt Into a Coma

The website of the German media Stern has no articles about Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov falling
into a coma and being hospitalized in Germany. In addition, neither the
press center, nor the medical service of the Bundeswehr, nor the German
Defense Ministry, nor the Berlin police were able to provide any
information regarding the hospitalization of the head of Ukrainian
intelligence. According to Ukrainian authorities, Kyrylo Budanov is well
and performing at his job. In addition, the intelligence office published
several videos with the head of intelligence already after the missile
attack on Kyiv on May 29. This, according to the Russian media, was the
cause of Budanov being seriously injured.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Intelligence Chief Budanov Felt Into a Coma

Claim that a Mexican cartel has weapons sent to Ukraine lacks evidence

An U.S. podcast host misrepresented a Mexican TV newscast by saying that a Javelin the United States sent to Ukraine ended in the hands of a Mexican cartel.

That's not what the Spanish-speaking anchor said.

Experts also say the supposed cartel member is carrying an AT4, not a Javelin.

A TikTok video claimed to show a cartel member in Mexico carrying a Javelin that the U.S. sent to Ukraine.

We found no evidence that a Mexican cartel obtained U.S. weapons destined for Ukraine. Experts told PolitiFact that the man in the video is carrying what appears to be an AT4 weapon, not a Javelin.

We rate this claim False.

Read MoreClaim that a Mexican cartel has weapons sent to Ukraine lacks evidence

Fake: Germany’s Rheinmetall Shares Fall Drastically After Ukraine’s Failed Counteroffensive

Data from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange data shows that the value of
Rheinmetall group's shares fluctuated, and no sharp drops have been noted.
The Ukrainian military highly appreciates the quality of German weapons,
and Rheinmetall AG is planning to increase production, as demand for its
products is growing, driven by the Russian war in Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Germany’s Rheinmetall Shares Fall Drastically After Ukraine’s Failed Counteroffensive

Fake: Ukraine Wins the Scythian Gold Case Due to Nazism and Occultism in Europe

Ukraine is the legal owner of the Crimean museums exhibits, which is confirmed by international law and multiple decisions of various courts. In Ukraine, the process of accumulating historical artifacts is not ideological.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine Wins the Scythian Gold Case Due to Nazism and Occultism in Europe

FactChecking Pence’s Presidential Announcement

Pence gave the misleading impression that the Obama administration gave Ukraine no "military resources at all" after Russia's 2014 invasion. The U.S. provided nonlethal military aid, including training, vehicles and radar equipment.

The former vice president misleadingly accused the Biden administration of "giving Russia back a Nord Stream 2 deal," referring to a Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany that remains inoperable and under U.S. sanctions.

Read MoreFactChecking Pence’s Presidential Announcement

FactChecking Chris Christie’s Presidential Announcement

Christie repeated the misleading claim that Barack Obama only provided "blankets" and "human rights aid" after Russia invaded regions of Ukraine in 2014. Obama's administration also provided Ukraine with nonlethal military aid, including training, vehicles and radar equipment.

He claimed that President Joe Biden initially said that "a small incursion" by Russia into Ukraine in 2022 "probably wouldn't be a problem." Biden said "Russia will be held accountable" for an invasion, but the U.S. response would depend on what Russia did.

Read MoreFactChecking Chris Christie’s Presidential Announcement