Disinformation

PTI Fact Check: Old Ukraine video shared to falsely claim ‘Adampur military base damaged in Pakistani airstrike’

Multiple social media users recently shared an image claiming it depicted a key military installation in Punjab's Adampur that suffered damage due to Pakistan's airstrikes in the region. In its investigation, the Desk found that the viral image reportedly depicted Russian S-400 missile launch units destroyed by a Ukrainian airstrike in occupied Crimea in April 2024. An old and unrelated image was falsely shared on social media as recent with a false claim.

Read MorePTI Fact Check: Old Ukraine video shared to falsely claim ‘Adampur military base damaged in Pakistani airstrike’

Fake: Zelenskyy Exempted Relatives of Galicia Division Soldiers from Conscription | StopFake

This "decree" is fake and does not appear on the official website of the President of Ukraine. The "document" contains glaring formatting and structural inconsistencies and attributes powers to the head of state that he does not possess: exemption from conscription on the basis of kinship is not provided for by Ukrainian law. Meanwhile, an authentic decree numbered 273/2025 does exist, but it concerns the awarding of the title Hero of Ukraine and has nothing to do with military recruitment - its content has been completely falsified to create a manipulative narrative.

Read MoreFake: Zelenskyy Exempted Relatives of Galicia Division Soldiers from Conscription | StopFake

Clip does not show Zelenskyy performing comedy routine for Putin – Full Fact

What was claimed: A video shows Russian president Vladimir Putin laughing with his face in his hands during a comedy routine in which Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears to play the piano with his penis, before he became president of Ukraine.

Our verdict: False. These two clips are from different events and have been edited together to misleadingly make it appear as if President Putin was in the audience for the routine.

Read MoreClip does not show Zelenskyy performing comedy routine for Putin – Full Fact

German news outlet did not report Russian spies had US defence secretary’s phone number – Full Fact

What was claimed: According to Der Spiegel, German intelligence have just arrested two suspected Russia spies who had US defence secretary Pete Hegseth's private phone number in their mobiles.

Our verdict: A spokesperson for Der Spiegel confirmed it did not publish such a story.

Read MoreGerman news outlet did not report Russian spies had US defence secretary’s phone number – Full Fact

Elaborate Prince Harry disinfo push aims for mass media confusion | AAP

WHAT WAS CLAIMED: A BBC report reveals a Russian missile victim who met Prince Harry is a fraud.

OUR VERDICT: False. The BBC report is fake and the boy is a genuine victim of a Russian missile attack.

Read MoreElaborate Prince Harry disinfo push aims for mass media confusion | AAP

Fake: Olena Zelenska Bought Princess Diana’s Dress for $2.9 Million | StopFake

The story by the British tabloid The Sun on this topic is fabricated, and the comment by a royal expert in it is taken from an old video on a completely different topic.

Read MoreFake: Olena Zelenska Bought Princess Diana’s Dress for $2.9 Million | StopFake