Category Misconceptions

DISINFO: Washington and Kyiv are behind the attempt to assissinate Slovak PM Robert Fico

The claim that Ukraine and the US were behind the assassination attempt against Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is a baseless accusation with no supporting evidence. This is part of a broader pro-Kremlin campaign aiming to portray Ukraine as a terrorist state.

Shortly after the news that Prime Minister Fico was shot, a widespread disinformation campaign accused Ukraine of being responsible for the assassination attempt. Popular pro-Kremlin Telegram channels and bot accounts played a key role in spreading this disinformation narrative. The extremely rapid response combined with such serious accusation is an indicator that this is a coordinated disinformation campaign.

Read MoreDISINFO: Washington and Kyiv are behind the attempt to assissinate Slovak PM Robert Fico

DISINFO: Ukrainian government is planning to relocate to Lviv

The article contains baseless speculation devoid of any factual basis. It serves the pro-Kremlin aim of eroding morale and a narrative of a disintegrating Ukraine that is in retreat militarily.

The article references a Reuters article, which states that foreign investment and the increase in internally displaced people are most noticeable in the western regions (Lviv and Transcarpathia). However, this fact, which is a consequence of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, has no bearing on the claim that the Ukrainian government is planning a resettlement to western Ukraine, specifically Lviv.

Ukraine has no intention of abandoning Kyiv, the capital city. Even during the height of the war in spring 2022, the government and the president remained in Kyiv.

Read MoreDISINFO: Ukrainian government is planning to relocate to Lviv

No, French pilots did not ‘accidentally’ paint a Russian flag during Olympic flyover – Truth or Fake

Social media users are sharing a viral video that purports to show French pilots painting a Russian flag in the sky, instead of a French one, during Marseille's Olympic flyover event. We explain if this was an accident or rather an optical illusion, in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreNo, French pilots did not ‘accidentally’ paint a Russian flag during Olympic flyover – Truth or Fake

No, ‘hundreds’ of bodies of NATO soldiers were not repatriated from Ukraine

Recent months have seen a spike in disinformation about NATO and Ukraine's allies on social media, following French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on sending Western ground troops to fight in Ukraine. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreNo, ‘hundreds’ of bodies of NATO soldiers were not repatriated from Ukraine

China not ‘ready to intervene’ if US and Nato attack Russia. Ignore false old claim dismissed by Chinese defence ministry in 2022 – Africa Check

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, claims that China has threatened the US and Nato are false.

Read MoreChina not ‘ready to intervene’ if US and Nato attack Russia. Ignore false old claim dismissed by Chinese defence ministry in 2022 – Africa Check

Debunking false rumours that Ukraine sold Russia its French-made artillery – Truth or Fake

Social media users have been sharing false claims that the Ukrainian army sold two of the heavy-duty CAESAR howitzers - given by France - to Russia for $120,000 per unit. In this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl, we look into the source of these rumours - which are based on false posts from two years ago - and why the outlet behind them is not trustworthy.

Read MoreDebunking false rumours that Ukraine sold Russia its French-made artillery – Truth or Fake

FALSE: Mark Milley urged Ukrainians to conduct terrorist attacks on Russian territory

Mark Milley was referring to actions in the occupied territories, not Russia. The USA does not encourage Ukrainian forces to strike outside their own borders

Read MoreFALSE: Mark Milley urged Ukrainians to conduct terrorist attacks on Russian territory

DISINFO: Crocus Hall terrorists confess Ukraine was involved in attack

U.S officials have intelligence that the Islamic State group's Afghan affiliate, IS-Khorasan, is responsible for the Moscow attack. "ISIS bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

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DISINFO: Ukraine war could spill over to Europe, the US has an interest in this

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine that attempts to deny Ukraine's sovereignty, falsely presents the on-going war against Ukraine as a civil war, and finally falsely claims that Ukraine is a tool of the US and the West to weaken Russia.

Read MoreDISINFO: Ukraine war could spill over to Europe, the US has an interest in this