Category Narratives

Unproven claims about Volodymyr Zelensky’s wealth resurface online

Social media posts shared thousands of times say Volodymyr Zelensky earns $11 million per month, has billions in assets, including a $35 million house in Florida, and numerous other trappings of a moneyed lifestyle. This is unproven; public records show Ukraine's president does not own property in his name in the US state, financial disclosures and independent investigations indicate he is far from a billionaire, and none of the online claims include evidence of such significant wealth.

Read MoreUnproven claims about Volodymyr Zelensky’s wealth resurface online

Kyiv rebuilt residential tower damaged by missile

A residential tower in Kyiv that was hit by a missile soon after Russia launched its war against Ukraine has become a subject of misinformation. Social media users claim pictures, showing the building seemingly intact, prove the war that began more than a year ago is not real. But AFP found authentic evidence of extensive damage to the building, and the restoration that followed.

Read MoreKyiv rebuilt residential tower damaged by missile

Posts omitted some of Microsoft co-founder’s comments

Some prominent conservatives in the United States are sharing a video that appears to show Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates calling the Ukrainian government one of the worst in the world amid the war with Russia. This is misleading; the original footage shows the billionaire philanthropist was referring to Ukraine's past, but the clip was deceptively edited to omit the word "pre-war" from the start of his sentence.

Read MorePosts omitted some of Microsoft co-founder’s comments

9 Doctored Pics and Deepfakes of Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Snopes.com

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been the subject of numerous false rumors, particularly in the form of doctored or misleading photographs and video footage.

From a manipulated deepfake video of Zelenskyy supposedly telling Ukrainian soldiers to surrender to Russia to false claims he displayed Nazi logos on his clothes, there is no shortage of examples.

Read More9 Doctored Pics and Deepfakes of Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Snopes.com

Fake: Ukrainian Authorities Planning to Mobilize Nuclear Plant Workers – Document

A "document" purporting to be an order for the mobilization of Ukraine's
nuclear plant workers is being disseminated online. The document is a fake
as evidenced by the many errors in the text of the letter. Furthermore,
some of the "signers" of this "document" are no longer members of Ukraine's
parliament. Mobilization preparation and management is not the
responsibility of Ukraine's legislative body.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Authorities Planning to Mobilize Nuclear Plant Workers – Document

Fake: Ukrainian Soldiers’ Bodies Found in Polish Coal Mine Shafts

Russian news sites and Russian social media accounts are disseminating
fakes claiming that the bodies of more than 500 Ukrainian soldiers were
found in a mine shaft at the Bogdanka coal mine in Poland. Bogdanka's press
office told StopFake such claims are completely fake, and there are no
bodies anywhere on the coal mine's territory. StopFake factcheckers have
ascertained that these fake claims were originally published on an
anonymous Telegram channel, which according to Ukraine's Security Service,
is used by Russian secret services to foment and incite anti-government
sentiments in Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Soldiers’ Bodies Found in Polish Coal Mine Shafts
Social Media Posts Misrepresent Zelenskyy’s Remarks on U.S. Military Involvement

Social Media Posts Misrepresent Zelenskyy’s Remarks on U.S. Military Involvement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy predicted that if Russia’s invasion of his country is successful, it will invade nearby NATO countries, triggering a war involving the U.S. military. Some conservative commentators misleadingly claimed that he’d called upon the U.S. to “send their sons and daughters to war for Ukraine and potentially die.”

Read MoreSocial Media Posts Misrepresent Zelenskyy’s Remarks on U.S. Military Involvement
Did Bill Gates Call Ukraine 'Big, Fat, Corrupt Sinkhole'?

Did Bill Gates Call Ukraine ‘Big, Fat, Corrupt Sinkhole’?

The words "big, fat, corrupt sinkhole" are not a direct quote, but an interpretation of what Gates is saying in the edited clip.

As his quote shows, Gates was referring to "pre-war" Ukraine, crucial context that was omitted from the clip circulating online.

It is not clear what Gates' timeframe is for "pre-war"—it could refer to before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 or its initial invasion in 2014.

Read MoreDid Bill Gates Call Ukraine ‘Big, Fat, Corrupt Sinkhole’?
Did Zelensky Say U.S. Will Send Its Kids to War for Ukraine?

Did Zelensky Say U.S. Will Send Its Kids to War for Ukraine?

Misleading Material. The clip was removed from its important and clarifying context, giving a misleading impression of what Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader's remarks were a hypothetical answer about what could happen should Ukraine lose the war to Russia, partially due to decreased support from the United States. [...]

Zelensky did not suggest that Americans should send their children to fight now for Ukraine against Russian forces.

Read MoreDid Zelensky Say U.S. Will Send Its Kids to War for Ukraine?

Fake: Zelensky Urges Americans to Fight for Ukraine

An out of context excerpt from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's
press conference is being circulated online by Russian and US social media
users, claiming that he is calling on Americans to fight for Ukraine.
Answering questions during a press conference dedicated to the first
anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Zelensky said that
if Ukraine fails to stop Russia, then NATO countries will have to do it,
because capturing Ukraine will not stop Russia's expansionist policies
regarding its neighboring countries, including NATO members.

Read MoreFake: Zelensky Urges Americans to Fight for Ukraine