Category Misconceptions

Fact check: No evidence drone attack launched from Estonia or Latvia

A post shared on Facebook claims that a drone attack on a Russian airbase was launched from Estonia or Latvia.

Verdict: Misleading
There is no evidence that the attack was launched from Estonia or Latvia. Both countries denied the claim.

Read MoreFact check: No evidence drone attack launched from Estonia or Latvia

Photo from Ukraine falsely shared as aftermath of Myanmar clash

As anti-junta forces reportedly captured a strategic military base in southern Myanmar, a photo surfaced in Burmese posts that falsely claimed it showed a foreign woman helping rebels loot pagodas in the battlefield. The picture was actually taken in a Ukrainian town damaged by heavy Russian attacks.

Read MorePhoto from Ukraine falsely shared as aftermath of Myanmar clash
Article screenshot on CNN website

Newly declassified US intel claims Russia is laundering propaganda through unwitting Westerners

CNN reports: Russian intelligence is operating a systematic program to launder pro-Kremlin propaganda through private relationships between Russian operatives and unwitting US and western targets, according to newly declassified US intelligence. [...]

The official stressed that the Western voices that eventually became mouthpieces for Russian propaganda were almost certainly unaware of the role they were playing.

“At the end of the day, this unwitting target is disseminating Russian influence operation, Russian propaganda to their target public,” the US official said. “Ultimately, a lot of these are unwitting people — they remain unaware who is essentially seeding these narratives.”

Read MoreNewly declassified US intel claims Russia is laundering propaganda through unwitting Westerners

Video shows Putin at judo coach’s burial in 2013, not Wagner leader’s funeral

Days after Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin was confirmed dead in a plane crash, a video emerged on social media with claims that it showed Russian President Vladimir Putin attending his funeral. However, these claims are false; the footage dates back to 2013, and shows Putin at the funeral of his long-time judo trainer.

Read MoreVideo shows Putin at judo coach’s burial in 2013, not Wagner leader’s funeral

No, these videos do not prove Russia is demolishing Wagner fighters’ graves – Truth or Fake

As Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was laid to rest after a fatal plane crash, videos purportedly showing graves of the group's fighters being demolished went viral on social media channels. But despite claims to the contrary, this footage does not show a large-scale effort by the Russian state to erase all traces of the mercenary group.

Read MoreNo, these videos do not prove Russia is demolishing Wagner fighters’ graves – Truth or Fake

These photos do not show Ukrainian ‘children’ being sent to the front

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, some have claimed that "children" are being recruited into the Ukrainian army. Three viral photos, purporting to show graves of very young soldiers, have been shared since mid-August as evidence of this phenomenon. However, two of these three photos have been manipulated, and actually show the burial sites of adult men.

Read MoreThese photos do not show Ukrainian ‘children’ being sent to the front