Category Disinformation

Fake: Russia Shot Down Its Own Drones Over Ukraine After Trump’s Conversation with Putin

Despite the unsubstantiated statements of the Russian Defen?e Ministry, Russia continued shelling Ukraine even after the US President talked on the phone with the Kremlin leader. Energy infrastructure in the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions was shelled. In total on the night of March 18-19, 2025, 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, as well as 145 Shahed strike UAVs were launched over Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Russia Shot Down Its Own Drones Over Ukraine After Trump’s Conversation with Putin

Video of Mark Rubio threatening to ‘cut off Ukraine’s Starlink access’ is edited

The Verdict: Fake.
Comparing the original CNN video with the viral clip shows that AI audio was inserted to falsely portray Rubio threatening to cut Starlink to Ukraine.

Read MoreVideo of Mark Rubio threatening to ‘cut off Ukraine’s Starlink access’ is edited

Fake: 71% of French Dream of Putin Leading Their Country – Le Figaro

This video is fake. Propagandists used the French newspaper's branding to fabricate a story about a non-existent poll. According to recent polls, Putin is widely disliked in France - only 10% of respondents view him positively.

Read MoreFake: 71% of French Dream of Putin Leading Their Country – Le Figaro

PTI Fact Check: 2022 video of Ukrainian marines surrendering in Mariupol falsely shared as recent incident from Kursk region of Russia

A video featuring people in military uniforms walking on a landscape with their hands in the air was recently shared on social media. Those sharing the video claimed that the Ukrainian army surrendered in the Kursk region of Russia.

However, the PTI Fact Check investigated and found that the viral video dates back to 2022 when the Ukrainian marines surrendered in Mariupol and is unrelated to the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region.

Read MorePTI Fact Check: 2022 video of Ukrainian marines surrendering in Mariupol falsely shared as recent incident from Kursk region of Russia

No, Ukraine’s Zelensky did not purchase a $20 million mansion in Florida

As discussions continue surrounding a potential ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has come under fire for allegedly purchasing a lavish mansion in Florida. But as FRANCE 24's Charlotte Hughes explains, this claim is false.

Read MoreNo, Ukraine’s Zelensky did not purchase a $20 million mansion in Florida

No, this video does not show Ukrainian troops surrendering in Kursk

A viral video shared by some internet users claims to show Ukrainian troops surrendering to Russia's forces in the Kursk region. However, as FRANCE 24's Charlotte Hughes explains, the video has been taken out of context and was not, in fact, filmed in Kursk.

Read MoreNo, this video does not show Ukrainian troops surrendering in Kursk

Fact Check: Edited Image Shows European Leaders Taking Off Their Suit Coats In Support Of Ukraine — No Actual Video

Does a viral image authentically show European leaders taking off their suit coats in support of Ukraine during a group picture? No, that's not true: The image is likely a screenshot from a video that was digitally edited, possibly using AI. Actual footage of the moment the group picture was taken did not show anyone taking off their suit and no news outlets reported about it happening at the time.

Read MoreFact Check: Edited Image Shows European Leaders Taking Off Their Suit Coats In Support Of Ukraine — No Actual Video