Category Narrative: Oppression, “Genocide” vs Russian-speakers

Manipulation: Kyiv Targets Russian Language Status in European Charter Language Protections | StopFake

In fact, the measure does not amount to a ban. Rather, it addresses a longstanding translation error in the European Charter. The treaty is designed to safeguard endangered languages, while Russian - the official language of a major state - is not considered to be in need of such protection.

Read MoreManipulation: Kyiv Targets Russian Language Status in European Charter Language Protections | StopFake

Fake: Ukraine Committed Genocide in Donbas by Cutting Off Water to Civilians | StopFake

In fact, Ukraine continued supplying water to the occupied territories for as long as the infrastructure allowed. Disruptions began only after Russian shelling and the seizure of key facilities. The damage to canals, pumping stations, and filtration units stems directly from Moscow's military actions - not from any so-called "humanitarian blockade" by Kyiv.

Read MoreFake: Ukraine Committed Genocide in Donbas by Cutting Off Water to Civilians | StopFake

FAKE: Military from AFU threatened with a gun a woman with a child because she spoke Russian

Russian media and Telegram channels are distributing a video in which Ukrainian soldiers allegedly stopped a woman with a child because she did not give way to them. As evidence, they provide a segment from the video recorder in the woman’s car. The soldiers then allegedly started yelling at the woman, cursing her, threatening her with guns and shooting in the air because she was speaking to them in Russian.

In fact, this video is staged, it was filmed in the occupied territory of the Donetsk region, where there are no Ukrainian troops.

Read MoreFAKE: Military from AFU threatened with a gun a woman with a child because she spoke Russian

Fake: Five Years Ago, Russian Language was Banned in Ukraine and Linguistic Genocide Has Began

The legislation in Ukraine regulating the use of the Ukrainian language does not apply to personal communication or religion, and does not provide for any criminal liability for violations of its norms, "language patrols" or "language inspectors", as propaganda claims. Ukrainians themselves do not see any harassment of Russian-speaking Ukrainians, as evidenced by the results of opinion polls.

Read MoreFake: Five Years Ago, Russian Language was Banned in Ukraine and Linguistic Genocide Has Began

Russia did not invade Ukraine to stop a NATO genocide in eastern regions

The Verdict: False.
There is no evidence that the people of eastern Ukraine were subject to systematic extermination. [...]

The claim was spread widely after [Russian Foreign Affairs official] Maria Zakharova [...] stated in February 2022 that there was a "systematic extermination of the Donbas population." However, an OSCE monitoring mission active in Ukraine since 2014 has found no evidence of mass targeted killings of civilians in the Donbas region. The Russian Foreign Ministry has not provided any proof to back up Zakharova's claim.

Read MoreRussia did not invade Ukraine to stop a NATO genocide in eastern regions

Fabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

This story was fabricated. It appeared on Real Raw News, a site that regularly publishes false, fantastical stories authored by someone using a pseudonym.

Real Raw News stories are authored by someone using a pseudonym and the site has a disclaimer saying it contains "humor, parody and satire," though the author has defended his stories as truth.

We found no credible news reports or other sources to corroborate the claims in this post.

QAnon promotes a number of conspiracy theories that invoke pedophilia and a Democratic cabal. QAnon adherents were present during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These ideas also infiltrated political discourse as recently as the 2022 midterm elections.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

Read MoreFabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

Did Ukrainians really place anti-Russian stickers around Auschwitz? Nope.

Several pro-Russian accounts have been circulating photos that they say show how Ukrainians put anti-Russian stickers in different places in Auschwitz, the former death camp run by the Nazis. The stickers say: "Russia & Russians - The only gas you and your country deserve is Zyklon B", a reference to the toxic gas used by Nazis to kill prisoners in the on-site gas chambers.

Read MoreDid Ukrainians really place anti-Russian stickers around Auschwitz? Nope.