Category Coordinated disinformation

Fake: Ukraine Shells Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The Ukrainian Armed Forces did not shell the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the city of Enerhodar. An analysis of missile trajectories and the nature of the damage confirms that strikes were carried out from the territories controlled by Russian occupation troops. The Russian propaganda video shows footage of another facility, the Zaporizhzhia thermal power station, which is about 7 kilometres away from the nuclear facility and which stopped operating back in May due to a shortage of coal.

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Manipulation: Needy Poles Refused Free Food Because of Ukrainian Refugees

Without additional context, a video being shared online of Poles in a soup kitchen misleads viewers. The events took place in a World Central Kitchen canteen, which provides targeted temporary assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine. Additionally, a certain number of places in this canteen are reserved for Poles in need of support. Just as before, low-income Poles can receive help at municipal homeless assistance centers.

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Photofake: Defense Ministry “Secret Document” Reveals Real Ukrainian Armed Forces Losses

Ukraine's Defense Ministry denies the Russian media claims about a "secret document". The fact that the "document" is a forgery is confirmed by a number of gross errors both in the text and the document design.

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Fake: Arms Supplies to Ukraine Are a Black Hole, Americans Say

Russian media have taken one reader comment to a magazine article about military aid to Ukraine and presented it as the opinion of all Americans. Recent opinion polls continue to show high levels of support for Ukraine as well as support for the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

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Fake: Kyiv Cancels Heating Season Because Of Russia Sanctions

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko said nothing about canceling the heating season in Kyiv. Klychko said there is enough gas to keep the capital's population warm during winter, but because of Russia's war against Ukraine, Kyiv is preparing for possible terrorist attacks on the capital's heating stations.

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How to investigate a Twitter account or suspicious tweets

There are about 200 million people who use Twitter on a daily basis, making it an important site for news and information. But this social network is also a prime source of disinformation, from fake accounts to tweets taken out of context. The FRANCE 24 Observers team takes a look at some good habits to avoid falling into these Twitter traps.

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Fake: Zelensky Orders Schools And Universities to Work Offline from September 1

Offline education process will take place only if there are protective facilities in schools and universities. In addition, the final decision on the format of education is made by regional civil-military administrations together with the students' parents. If parents disagree with offline study, they may choose an online mode, an individual schedule, or transfer their child to home study.

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Manipulation: Ukrainians Will Be Punished for Receiving Russian Humanitarian Aid in Occupied Territories

Ukrainian legislation does not impose liability for receiving Russian humanitarian aid in the occupied territories. On the contrary, the new draft laws are intended to add humanitarian aid to the list of activities not considered collaboration, as long as it does not involve aiding and abetting the Russian occupants.

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Fake: UK Invented Reusable Toilet Paper “Because of Anti-Russia Sanctions”

Reusable toilet paper as a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional toilet paper was invented a few years ago and has nothing to do with "anti-Russian sanctions". The product was particularly relevant during the coronavirus pandemic, when the first shortage of toilet paper arose. As for the UK, the discussion about reusable toilet paper resumed in mid-August amid rising inflation, but the vast majority of consumers perceived the idea negatively and refused to use the eco-product.

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Fake: Britain Decides When to Get Rid of Ukrainian Refugees

Russian propagandist media are making false claims about British attitudes to Ukrainian refugees based on a poll conducted by the British Office of National Statistics. The Homes for Ukraine program conducted a survey to assess how long current sponsors wanted the hosting arrangement with Ukrainian refugees to last. 24% of respondents said they were ready to help with housing for more than six months, but not for longer than a year. 23% said they were ready to help for longer than a year. There was no mention of any expulsion of Ukrainians from Britain in the survey.

Read MoreFake: Britain Decides When to Get Rid of Ukrainian Refugees