Category Narratives

Social media post critical of Zelenskyy came from Kid Rock fan account, not the artist

A screenshot of a Gettr post critical of U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine has been attributed to Kid Rock, but it originated on a fan account.

We couldn't find a Gettr account for Kid Rock, and it's not listed among the social media accounts on his website. Kid Rock's website links to his YouTube account and his verified Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

We've previously debunked claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy owns a $35 million home in Florida. We couldn't find any credible sources to corroborate the claim in this Gettr post, either.

As for the claim that Kid Rock authored it, we rate that False.

Read MoreSocial media post critical of Zelenskyy came from Kid Rock fan account, not the artist

War in Ukraine: Fact-checking Russian claims that Nato troops are fighting in Ukraine

It's well known that foreign fighters have joined Ukrainian military units. However, claims are being made by Russian officials and media outlets of serving Nato troops on the ground in Ukraine. [...]

Russian media outlets haven't provided evidence of serving Nato personnel on the ground, only pointing to the presence of individual foreign fighters on the battlefield.

Read MoreWar in Ukraine: Fact-checking Russian claims that Nato troops are fighting 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

Fake: Arms Supplies to Ukraine Are a Black Hole, Americans Say

Russian media have taken one reader comment to a magazine article about military aid to Ukraine and presented it as the opinion of all Americans. Recent opinion polls continue to show high levels of support for Ukraine as well as support for the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Arms Supplies to Ukraine Are a Black Hole, Americans Say

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

Manipulation: EU Demands Ukraine Make Concessions to Russia, Says Former Foreign Affairs Advisor

On the contrary, former EU foreign affairs advisor Nathalie Tocci urges EU countries to maintain their unity and warns against any concessions to Russia, especially if hostilities in Ukraine diminish. Tocci emphasises that when the violence subsides, the West must show its true resilience and redouble its support for Kyiv, not only to ensure that Russia loses this war, but that Ukraine actually wins it.

Read MoreManipulation: EU Demands Ukraine Make Concessions to Russia, Says Former Foreign Affairs Advisor

Fake: Ukrainians Selling Switchblade 300 Drones on Darknet

The alleged Switchblade 300 sale ads use photos of two different Switchblade drones, both of which were damaged and shot down in Syria in the past decade. These photographs first appeared on the web six and seven years ago, respectively.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainians Selling Switchblade 300 Drones on Darknet

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

Fake: Ukrainians ‘Choose Russia Because of Kyiv’s Atrocities’

A recent article in the American conservative online magazine The Federalist is made up of a series of manipulative theses that in their totality eventually compose a propaganda narrative about civil war in Ukraine. According to a May 2022 opinion poll conducted by the respected Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on the perceptions of the Russia-Ukraine war among Ukrainian citizens, only 1% of Ukrainians were found to have a "predominantly pro-Russian position". Another May 2022 survey also conducted by KIIS showed that only 2% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards Russia, while an overwhelming 92% have a negative attitude.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainians ‘Choose Russia Because of Kyiv’s Atrocities’