Category Coordinated disinformation

Photofake: Anti-Ukrainian Billboards Appear in Poland

The photograph circulated by Russian media and pro-Kremlin social media
users as proof of anti-Ukrainian advertising in Poland, is an example of
basic photoshop manipulation. There are scores of identical photos on the
web which containe different advertisements on the billboards. Using the
Mediamodifier website, your image can be inserted on this billboard with
the same background, completely free of charge.

Read MorePhotofake: Anti-Ukrainian Billboards Appear in Poland

Fake: Ukrainians in Poland and Great Britain Issued Draft Notices

Russian media claims that draft notices are being issued to Ukrainians in
the UK and Poland are not true. According to Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers
Regulation #1487, Ukrainian diplomatic missions are obliged to inform
Ukrainian citizens of military service age about conscription campaigns and
to facilitate their return to Ukraine in times of mobilization or war. No
one is authorized to serve draft notices abroad, not even diplomatic
workers. The video being circulated online, in which a Telegram user claims
several of his acquaintances received draft notices in their places of
employment in Poland is a blatant lie. Another fake vein, in which a letter
allegedly urging Ukrainians currently living in the UK to report to the
Ukrainian embassy seemingly for military service, is also a forgery.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainians in Poland and Great Britain Issued Draft Notices

Fake: Ukrainian Servicemen Given Vouchers Instead of Salaries

There are no vouchers issued as "payment for service in the Armed Forces of
Ukraine". Russian propagandists took a military bond Ukraine issued in 2014
and created fake, claiming that this document is issued to Ukrainian
military in lieu of salary payments.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Servicemen Given Vouchers Instead of Salaries

Manipulation: Electricity Rerouted from Schools and Kindergartens to Elite Resorts

Claims that electricity is redirected from schools and kindergartens to elite resorts is a manipulative distortion of reality. For two days in a row, several towns in the Khust district of the Transcarpathian region allegedly were not affected by the regional power outage schedules. According to the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration chairman, there are indeed recreation centers in these towns. However, it is extremely difficult to establish a causal relationship between these events, since recreation centers are located throughout all of Transcarpathia, and not only in the Khust region. It is impossible to selectively reroute electricity from schools and kindergartens to recreation centers.

Read MoreManipulation: Electricity Rerouted from Schools and Kindergartens to Elite Resorts

Fake: US Colonizes Ukraine for its Titanium Deposits

A recent Russian fake cites a Newsweek article which allegedly claims that the US is colonizing Ukraine for its titanium reserves. The Newsweek article however does not contain a single word about any such colonization. On the contrary, the article claims that Russia could launch large scale military operations against Ukraine also with the aim of seizing the country's mineral deposits.

Read MoreFake: US Colonizes Ukraine for its Titanium Deposits

Manipulation: Ukraine and the West Preparing Terrorist Acts in Crimea

Russian unleashed a full-scale war against Ukraine, occupied Crimea and other territories, thus making Russian military bases located in occupied Crimea legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military. The narrative that "NATO is fighting against Russia" is one of the most widespread Kremlin fakes that Stopfake has repeatedly debunked. Ukraine is standing up to Russian aggression and fighting the Russian invading forces, and not some "collective West".

Read MoreManipulation: Ukraine and the West Preparing Terrorist Acts in Crimea

Manipulation: UN Dissatisfied With Western Tanks Sent to Ukraine

Russian media reports claiming the United Nations is not pleased with the West providing tanks to Ukraine are a manipulation. UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said that the processes currently observed in Russia's war against Ukraine are not leading to peace. However, he did not express "dissatisfaction" with the supply of Western tanks to Ukraine. On the contrary, Dujarric emphasized that he meant "a just peace in accordance with the UN Charter and in accordance with international law." This, in turn, entails the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within its 1991 internationally recognized borders.

Read MoreManipulation: UN Dissatisfied With Western Tanks Sent to Ukraine

Manipulation: Massive German Protests Against Tanks for Ukraine

Russian media are claiming that mass demonstrations took place in Munich against German tank supplies to Ukraine. This is a manipulation of a demonstration against something completely different. In the video from the Munich demonstration, there is not a single sign against Germany sending tanks to Ukraine. Such demonstrations, organized by the group München steht auf, are held regularly in the Bavarian capital, usually on Wednesdays. München steht auf is a group that advocates for a world without weapons, they are against vaccinations, against measures for coronavirus containment, and against the German government. The protesters are so-called Querdenkers - "dissenters." During the coronavirus pandemic, they often disseminated fakes about COVID-19, "harmful vaccinations", chipping, 5G radiation, and airplane vapor trails conspiracy theories.

Read MoreManipulation: Massive German Protests Against Tanks for Ukraine

Fabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

This story was fabricated. It appeared on Real Raw News, a site that regularly publishes false, fantastical stories authored by someone using a pseudonym.

Real Raw News stories are authored by someone using a pseudonym and the site has a disclaimer saying it contains "humor, parody and satire," though the author has defended his stories as truth.

We found no credible news reports or other sources to corroborate the claims in this post.

QAnon promotes a number of conspiracy theories that invoke pedophilia and a Democratic cabal. QAnon adherents were present during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These ideas also infiltrated political discourse as recently as the 2022 midterm elections.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

Read MoreFabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

Fake: Posters in Stuttgart Airport Calling on German Government Not to Send Tanks to…

A doctored image is being circulated online. According to the Stuttgart
Airport press service, the monitor featured in the doctored image only
broadcasts commercial advertisements or periodic notifications to
passengers about security checks and operational changes.

Read MoreFake: Posters in Stuttgart Airport Calling on German Government Not to Send Tanks to…