Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: Mriya Transport Plane Wreckage Disposed of

The Antonov Company denies the disinformation disseminated by Russian media, claiming the wreckage of the world's largest aircraft, the Mriya Antonov An-225 cargo plane has been disposed of. The wreckage is being kept as evidence of Russian invaders' crimes.

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False subtitles added to video suggest Polish president ‘mobilises troops to enter Ukraine’

Multiple social media posts in China have shared a video alongside a claim it shows the Polish president declaring military mobilisation in support of Ukraine. Although Poland sent weapons aid to Ukraine after Russia's invasion, misleading Chinese-language subtitles have been added to the clip to suggest it was sending troops to war. The Polish defence ministry dismissed the claim. As of May 26, AFP found no official reports that Poland was sending troops to Ukraine.

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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.

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Photo shows Moscow’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1990, not chain’s closure in Russia

A photo has been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim it shows Russians queuing to purchase their final meal at a McDonald's restaurant before the American fast-food giant closed all outlets in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Although local media reported that Russians flocked to McDonald's restaurants after the closure was announced, the photo has been shared in a false context. It was taken by an AFP photographer in January 1990 at the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant in the Soviet Union.

Read MorePhoto shows Moscow’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1990, not chain’s closure in Russia

Fake: Zaporizhzhia Rules Out Returning to Kyiv Control

Vladimir Rogov is not an official in any Zaporizhzhia administration, his statements are pure propaganda and carry no political weight. In March 2022 Ukrainian police opened a criminal case into Rogov's collaborationist activities. Part of Zaporizhzhia province is under Russian occupation, hostilities are continuing there, and Russian invaders systematically violate the rights of local residents, they impede free movement and are creating a humanitarian crisis.

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Fake: Erdogan Says Turkey Unwilling to Get Involved in “Ukraine show”

Russian media distorted the "quote" attributed to the Turkish president, and the words about the "show" were taken out of context. President Erdogan has consistently said that Turkey opposes encroachments on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and is trying to do everything to bring the parties to a peace agreement.

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Does JD Vance profit from Russia propaganda?

J.D. Vance personally invested as much as $300,000 in the video sharing platform Rumble, although the precise details remain private.

RT, a Russia state-sponsored service that amplifies Kremlin messaging, posts its videos and livestreams on Rumble.

RT generates millions of views on Rumble, which increases the platform's value to advertisers.

Our ruling
Ryan said, "Vance profits off Russia propaganda."

Ryan's claim is based on Vance's investment in Rumble, the platform where RT posts its videos.

RT amplifies Kremlin messaging, and in the past two and a half months, RT has produced nearly 2 million views on Rumble. More views mean more advertising revenues for Rumble, and RT's presence adds value to Vance's investment.

But other programs on Rumble attract many more viewers, and the details on Vance's investment in the company are not public. Rumble's CEO earlier this year ​​said the company has yet to turn a profit.

With that caveat in mind, we rate this claim Half True.

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