Category USA

Claims That Ukraine Wants to Extradite Refugees Are Russian Disinformation

Various media reports originating in Ukraine and Russia are claiming that the Ukrainian government is seeking to extradite military-aged refugees and "draft dodgers" back to the country, and that Ukraine's requests have so far been rejected by a number of its European neighbors. The reports, which are being circulated primarily by Russian government-funded media organizations RT and Sputnik, have also spread to some Western media including a viral Facebook video.

Read MoreClaims That Ukraine Wants to Extradite Refugees Are Russian Disinformation

Fake Times Square billboard circulates as Zelensky visits US

A video shared across social media appears to show a New York City digital billboard displaying Volodymyr Zelensky's face and text that says, "Glory to Urine" as the Ukrainian president visited the United States in September 2023. But the clip is doctored; the company that owns the sign told AFP it has run no such message.

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Fake Video of ‘Glory to Urine’ New York Billboard Fools Internet

On Sept. 21, 2023, the phrase "Glory to Urine" became one of the top trending U.S. topics on X (formerly Twitter). The phrase was trending thanks to a fake video that allegedly showed a billboard in New York City's Manhattan with the same three words, supposedly as an accidentally misspelled welcome message for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He had been in town for the United Nations General Assembly.

Read MoreFake Video of ‘Glory to Urine’ New York Billboard Fools Internet

FactChecking Trump on ‘Meet the Press’

[Trump] overstated and understated the respective amounts of financial assistance that the U.S. and European nations have allocated to help Ukraine in the war with Russia.

Trump called out Europe, which he said has not provided nearly as much financial support as the U.S. to Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

"I think that Europe has to do more," Trump said, when Welker asked if the security of the U.S. "is linked to Ukraine's security." He continued: "We're in for $200 billion. They're in for $25 billion. And it affects them more than it affects us."

Those figures are not accurate.

Read MoreFactChecking Trump on ‘Meet the Press’

Did Elon Musk Turn Off Starlink Access in Crimea To Disrupt Ukrainian Attack?

On Sept. 7, 2023, major U.S. news outlets, including CNN and The Washington Post, reported that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had personally ordered access to the company's Starlink satellite internet service "turned off" or "shut down" in Russia-occupied Crimea to disrupt a planned Ukrainian military attack there. The incident took place in 2022.

These reports were based, in turn, on a published excerpt from a then-soon-to-be-released book about Musk by Walter Isaacson.

However, as Musk objected immediately and Isaacson would clarify soon after, the claim that Musk had ordered Starlink coverage in Crimea "turned off" wasn't entirely accurate. (Both CNN and The Washington Post subsequently corrected their reports.)

Read MoreDid Elon Musk Turn Off Starlink Access in Crimea To Disrupt Ukrainian Attack?
The Top Myths about US Aid to Ukraine

The Top Myths about US Aid to Ukraine

As Congress debates additional support for Ukraine, the anti-Ukraine echo chamber will peddle myths and half-truths, including these four:
Myth: Washington is writing Kyiv “blank checks” that Americans cannot afford.
Myth: There is not enough oversight of US aid to Ukraine.
Myth: America is exponentially the largest donor to Ukraine.
Myth: Russia is a distraction. The US must focus on China.

Read MoreThe Top Myths about US Aid to Ukraine

DISINFORMATION THAT AMERICAN GENERAL DIED IN MISSILE ATTACK IN UKRAINE

The American General died in a plane crash while on board of a single-engine plane (Piper PA-28 Cherokee) on July 25, 2023. The plane crashed in Havre de Grace, Maryland. The cause of the crash is still unknown. The accident is being investigated by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

Read MoreDISINFORMATION THAT AMERICAN GENERAL DIED IN MISSILE ATTACK IN UKRAINE

FALSE: Zelenskyi replied that he did not know who attacked the Kerch Bridge – video

The "Angry Birds" demo was held in the Chernihiv Drama Theater, not a meeting of officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and NATO. Russian propaganda also contradicts itself: first they indicate that the goal was the exhibition, then they write about the meeting as the goal. Later, propagandists of the Russian Federation say that the meeting took place near the drama theater, then they put forward information that it was in the drama theater itself.

Read MoreFALSE: Zelenskyi replied that he did not know who attacked the Kerch Bridge – video