Category Escalation / WWIII

Manipulation: Ukraine and the West Preparing Terrorist Acts in Crimea

Russian unleashed a full-scale war against Ukraine, occupied Crimea and other territories, thus making Russian military bases located in occupied Crimea legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military. The narrative that "NATO is fighting against Russia" is one of the most widespread Kremlin fakes that Stopfake has repeatedly debunked. Ukraine is standing up to Russian aggression and fighting the Russian invading forces, and not some "collective West".

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FACT CHECK: Did NATO Undertake ‘Operation Justice’ To Intervene In Ukraine? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence NATO has undertaken “Operation Justice.” Check Your Fact has previously debunked claims that NATO is intervening in Ukraine.

Read MoreFACT CHECK: Did NATO Undertake ‘Operation Justice’ To Intervene In Ukraine? | Check Your Fact

Fake: The West Not Only Sending Weapons to Ukraine, But Also Manpower

The Washington Post has not written that the West is sending soldiers to
Ukraine. On the contrary, the article Russian media refer to focuses on
International Legion foreign fighters who voluntarily go to war - each for
his own reasons. None of the countries that are currently providing
military aid to Ukraine have expressed readiness to send troops to
participate in hostilities, nor has Ukraine ever asked that they do.

Read MoreFake: The West Not Only Sending Weapons to Ukraine, But Also Manpower

Is Ukraine really developing a dirty bomb? Be careful of Russian claims

Ukraine is apparently in the process of developing a so-called dirty bomb - a bomb containing radioactive elements - or, at least, that's the narrative that Moscow has been peddling since October 23, 2022. The Russian Ministry of Defence posted these claims to Telegram and Twitter, along with illustrated documents meant to support these claims. But the images published in these documents are old and some of them were even taken in Russia.

Read MoreIs Ukraine really developing a dirty bomb? Be careful of Russian claims

Finland did not advise citizens to ‘urgently buy iodine tablets after escalation of war in Ukraine’

Several Thai posts have shared a misleading claim that the Finnish government advised its citizens to urgently buy iodine tablets after an escalation of the war in Ukraine. It circulated in October 2022 after the Nordic country updated its guidelines on the use of iodine in case of a radiation hazard. A government official told AFP that events in Ukraine would not compromise radiation safety in Finland. They added that their guidelines aim to ensure there is protection for the most vulnerable in case of an emergency resulting from a nuclear reactor accident, as they are heavily dependent on nuclear power.

Read MoreFinland did not advise citizens to ‘urgently buy iodine tablets after escalation of war in Ukraine’

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.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine Shells Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

4 Nuclear Fakes: Russia’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Lies at the UN Security Council

The UN Security Council, convened by Russia on August 11 to discuss the situation around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), became another opportunity for Russia to spread disinformation against Ukraine. The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, it is located in Enerhodar, 120 kilometers south of the regional capital of Zaporizhzhia, and has been temporarily occupied by Russian troops since March of this year. Speaking at the session, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasiliy Nebenzya declared the urgency to "stop the Kyiv regime" and accused Ukraine of "attacking nuclear infrastructure facilities." This time the Russian lies were based on four propaganda messages (outlined here).

Read More4 Nuclear Fakes: Russia’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Lies at the UN Security Council

Fake: UN Condemns Ukrainian Attacks on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has not make any statements about a "Ukraine attack" on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. On the contrary, Guterres stressed that shelling the Zaporizhzhia plant is suicidal and must be stopped immediately.

Read MoreFake: UN Condemns Ukrainian Attacks on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

This visual effects video does not show ‘Russia’s vacuum bomb attack in Ukraine’

A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple social media posts that claim it shows Russia attacking Ukraine with a vacuum bomb in 2022. The claim, however, is false. Although Russia has been accused of using such weapons in Ukraine, the video in fact is a digital creation of a visual effects artist.

Read MoreThis visual effects video does not show ‘Russia’s vacuum bomb attack in Ukraine’

Picture does not show decorated officer among Russian prisoners

Social media users shared a photo claiming to show that a senior US military commander was among captives when Ukrainian soldiers defending the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol surrendered to Russian troops in May. But the claim is false; retired Admiral Eric Olson confirmed to AFP that he was not in Ukraine, and the photo appeared in Russian media a month before the surrender.

Read MorePicture does not show decorated officer among Russian prisoners