Category Methods

Fake: Temporarily Occupied Part of Zaporizhzhia Region “Establishes International Contacts”

The international community does not recognize occupied Crimea or other Ukrainian occupied territories as independent republics, or the territory of Russia. Vladimir Rogov, quoted by Russian propaganda about alleged international contacts, is under European sanctions for threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and has no authority to "establish contacts" with anyone, because he does not represent any official authorities.

Read MoreFake: Temporarily Occupied Part of Zaporizhzhia Region “Establishes International Contacts”

Video from 2018 used in misleading post claiming Russian president recently arrived in South Africa

With Eastern Europe in turmoil following the invasion of Ukraine, a Facebook post shared hundreds of times claims Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'in South Africa'. The post includes a video broadcast showing Putin arriving in the country for alliance talks. However, this is misleading: the video was filmed in July 2018 ahead of the 10th summit of the BRICS group, which was hosted by South Africa.

Read MoreVideo from 2018 used in misleading post claiming Russian president recently arrived in South Africa

Clip shows video game, not Ukrainian victory in Sievierodonetsk

But a video being shared on social media a few weeks later perhaps buoyed Ukraine's supporters. The description in the July 17 post said "Sievierodonetsk's air defenses shot down 55 Ka 52 helicopters."

Dozens of comments cheered on Ukraine, with Ukrainian flags and GIFs congratulating the country.

That's because anyone who watches the video can clearly see that the footage isn't authentic. It's a video game.

We rate claims of this footage's veracity False.

Read MoreClip shows video game, not Ukrainian victory in Sievierodonetsk

Fake: Ukrainian Refugees Brawl on Italian Highway

Ukrainians were not involved in any way in the video that was published by Russian propagandists showing protesters blocking traffic. It was not Ukrainians who were blocking the road to traffic, but local environmental activists from the Extinction Rebellion organization.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Refugees Brawl on Italian Highway

Video dates back to 2017 post about Estonian railway repairs, unrelated to EU sanctioning Russia

A video of a railway track being removed has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times after it circulated in posts that claim it shows Lithuania cutting off transit with a Russian exclave after the EU sanctioned certain goods in response to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in 2022. Although Lithuania did follow the EU sanctions in blocking certain goods to Kaliningrad, the video has been shared in a false context. It was uploaded in a 2017 post about railway repairs in Estonia, years before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Keyword searches found no official reports about Lithuania removing the railway track.

Read MoreVideo dates back to 2017 post about Estonian railway repairs, unrelated to EU sanctioning Russia

Manipulation: EU Afraid of Ukrainian Weapon and Drug Smuggling

To strengthen border security in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, on July 11 the EU launched a Support Hub for internal security and border management in Moldova. Neither the program nor the announcement mention Ukraine reselling western weapons or being involved in drug trafficking.

Read MoreManipulation: EU Afraid of Ukrainian Weapon and Drug Smuggling

Altered magazine cover featuring Ukrainian president spreads online

Social media posts share an image that purportedly shows Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky riding a horse made of banknotes on the cover of Money, a US magazine. But no such cover was published; the image was altered from a 2016 issue, according to the magazine, which is now only available online.

Read MoreAltered magazine cover featuring Ukrainian president spreads online

Fake: Russian Army Destroys Troops who Raised Ukrainian Flag on Snake Island

Russia's Defense Ministry claims its troops destroyed Ukrainian servicemen who raised the Ukrainian flag on strategic Snake Island after Russian forces withdrew. The Ukraine's General Staff says the troops completed their task and returned to their base unharmed.

Read MoreFake: Russian Army Destroys Troops who Raised Ukrainian Flag on Snake Island

No, a Ukrainian attack didn’t destroy a Moscow skyscraper

A fire broke out on the roof of a Russian skyscraper, according to state news, and was extinguished with minimal damage.

We found no evidence to support the suggestion that the incident is connected to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

A Polish news organization, also citing the Tass agency, said "the fire affected one square meter of space."

We didn't see any credible reports tying the fire to a Ukrainian attack, or any attack.

We rate this post False.

Read MoreNo, a Ukrainian attack didn’t destroy a Moscow skyscraper

Fake: Russian Defense Ministry: Ukraine Lost 234 Planes and 137 Helicopters since War Began

Russia's Defense Ministry claims to have shot down more planes and helicopters than Ukraine ever had. According to official data, all branches of Ukraine's Armed forces combined were armed with a much smaller number of aircraft than what the Russians claim to have shot down.

Read MoreFake: Russian Defense Ministry: Ukraine Lost 234 Planes and 137 Helicopters since War Began