Category International community

Doctored image does not show KFC in Russia that ‘changed name to Siberian Fried Chicken’

After the parent company of fast-food giant KFC said it was suspending operations in Russia, social media posts shared hundreds of times purported to show a photo of a branch that "rebranded as Siberian Fried Chicken" in order to stay in business. However, the image is doctored. The original photo shows a KFC restaurant in western Russia, which has not changed its name, a spokesperson told AFP on May 26, 2022.

Read MoreDoctored image does not show KFC in Russia that ‘changed name to Siberian Fried Chicken’

Video shows tanks heading for military exercise in western Finland, not to Russian border

The statement says that "tracked vehicles will be transported by train" to Niinisalo and Kankaanpaa in western Finland between April 26 and May 2, 2022. The Finnish Defence Forces published details of previous Arrow exercises in Niinisalo in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Read MoreVideo shows tanks heading for military exercise in western Finland, not to Russian border

False subtitles added to video suggest Polish president ‘mobilises troops to enter Ukraine’

Multiple social media posts in China have shared a video alongside a claim it shows the Polish president declaring military mobilisation in support of Ukraine. Although Poland sent weapons aid to Ukraine after Russia's invasion, misleading Chinese-language subtitles have been added to the clip to suggest it was sending troops to war. The Polish defence ministry dismissed the claim. As of May 26, AFP found no official reports that Poland was sending troops to Ukraine.

Read MoreFalse subtitles added to video suggest Polish president ‘mobilises troops to enter Ukraine’

FACT CHECK: Did CNN Report That A Man Named ‘Bernie Gores’ Was Killed In The Uvalde, Texas School Shooting? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
A CNN spokesperson denied the outlet published such an article. The man pictured has been falsely linked to similar tragedies in the past.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Did CNN Report That A Man Named ‘Bernie Gores’ Was Killed In The Uvalde, Texas School Shooting? | Check Your Fact

Picture does not show decorated officer among Russian prisoners

Social media users shared a photo claiming to show that a senior US military commander was among captives when Ukrainian soldiers defending the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol surrendered to Russian troops in May. But the claim is false; retired Admiral Eric Olson confirmed to AFP that he was not in Ukraine, and the photo appeared in Russian media a month before the surrender.

Read MorePicture does not show decorated officer among Russian prisoners

Photo shows Moscow’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1990, not chain’s closure in Russia

A photo has been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim it shows Russians queuing to purchase their final meal at a McDonald's restaurant before the American fast-food giant closed all outlets in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Although local media reported that Russians flocked to McDonald's restaurants after the closure was announced, the photo has been shared in a false context. It was taken by an AFP photographer in January 1990 at the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant in the Soviet Union.

Read MorePhoto shows Moscow’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1990, not chain’s closure in Russia

Fake: Erdogan Says Turkey Unwilling to Get Involved in “Ukraine show”

Russian media distorted the "quote" attributed to the Turkish president, and the words about the "show" were taken out of context. President Erdogan has consistently said that Turkey opposes encroachments on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and is trying to do everything to bring the parties to a peace agreement.

Read MoreFake: Erdogan Says Turkey Unwilling to Get Involved in “Ukraine show”