Category Faked news reports

Trump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine

Disinformation targeting Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky is surging as US President Donald Trump's shift on the war frays relations with Kyiv and threatens to cripple support for the battle-worn nation. [...]

Joseph Bodnar, a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (archived here), said the Russian influence efforts are focused "on fostering animosity between the Trump and Zelensky administrations."

"Russia wants to convince US negotiators that Ukraine is their enemy, not their partner. It's a means for the Kremlin to extract favorable terms in whatever peace settlement comes."

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Fake: Ukraine Admits that Foreign Mercenaries Left the Country for the War in Israel

This video has never been shown on Ukrainian television. To create a fake video, its authors used the real story of the American news program CBS Mornings and replaced its audio track.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine Admits that Foreign Mercenaries Left the Country for the War in Israel

Manipulation: Russia May Outpace Europe and USA in GDP Growth Says The New York…

The New York Times article does indeed contain a prediction that Russia may outpace European countries and the United States in terms of economic growth this year. However, this forecast does not belong to the NYT economic columnist Patricia Cohen, as the Russian media claim, but to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Also, Russian media cover only a part of the article - the part about the resilience of the Russian economy to Western sanctions. Instead, the main idea of the publication, which is to prove that the Russian economy is currently working to wage war in Ukraine, remains unaddressed by propagandists. Russian publications also ignore the problems in the consumer sector that Russians are currently facing.

Read MoreManipulation: Russia May Outpace Europe and USA in GDP Growth Says The New York…

Manipulation: Poles No Longer Want to See Ukrainian Refugees in Poland – CNN

Russian propaganda, using the CNN article, made a manipulative generalization that Poles in general do not want to see Ukrainians in their country anymore. The original source does not talk about the mood in Poland in general, but only covers a rally of the far-right Confederation party, known for its anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. In the parliamentary elections, this party received the lowest result, and a national poll in September 2023 showed that 65% of Poles support the reception of refugees from Ukraine.

Read MoreManipulation: Poles No Longer Want to See Ukrainian Refugees in Poland – CNN

Fake: France Suffers From Bedbugs Influx Due to Anti-Russian Sanctions

The French media La Montagne did not publish an article entitled "Sanctions against Russia led to a bedbug epidemic in Paris." Most likely, a screenshot of this publication was created in a photo editor. Mass appearances of bedbugs are not related to anti-Russian sanctions, but to the insects adapting to insecticides, climate change and people beginning to travel more in crowded transport.

Read MoreFake: France Suffers From Bedbugs Influx Due to Anti-Russian Sanctions

Fake: Ukrainians Demand Ransom from the Deceased Hamas Hostage’s Family

There is no police investigation claiming that the family of Shani Louk, who was killed by Hamas, received ransom calls from Ukraine. Neither the German media WDR, cited by the propagandists, nor any other credible sources published such news. Propaganda used the signature style of the German media to justify Hamas and denigrate Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainians Demand Ransom from the Deceased Hamas Hostage’s Family

Fake: Former Porn Actress Mia Khalifa Thanks Ukraine for Helping Hamas

Former American adult actress of Lebanese origin Mia Khalifa did not thank Ukraine for helping the Islamic movement Hamas. Neither USA TODAY, which is cited by Russian propaganda, nor any other reputable media outlets have published news with words of gratitude to Ukraine from Mia Khalifa.

Read MoreFake: Former Porn Actress Mia Khalifa Thanks Ukraine for Helping Hamas

No, the BBC didn’t report that Ukraine is selling weapons to Hamas

No, the BBC report that said Ukraine is selling weapons to Hamas is not real. The fake video is being promoted by pro-Russia social media accounts.

Read MoreNo, the BBC didn’t report that Ukraine is selling weapons to Hamas

Fake: Poland Kicks Out Refugees to Get Them Drafted into Ukrainian Forces

Ukrainian law enforcement officers send requests to Poland to extradite only those Ukrainians who are involved in the organization of illegal migrant traffic to the EU.

Read MoreFake: Poland Kicks Out Refugees to Get Them Drafted into Ukrainian Forces