Category Fact checks / debunkings

Claim of 1 million Ukrainian soldiers dead has no official backing

Reuters reported in April that leaked documents allegedly from U.S. intelligence agencies estimated as many as 354,000 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have died or been injured in the war. Reuters has not been able to independently verify the documents, and U.S. officials said some files appeared to be altered.

The Facebook video's claim that 1 million Ukrainian soldiers have been "wiped out" is much higher than any official reported estimates. So we rate this claim False.

Read MoreClaim of 1 million Ukrainian soldiers dead has no official backing

Ukraine: fake NYC subway ad calls homeless Americans to “join” the war – Truth or Fake

Viral photos on social media showed a fake advertisement in the New York City subway system calling for the city's homeless to join the fight in Ukraine. Vedika Bahl explains this misinformation, in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreUkraine: fake NYC subway ad calls homeless Americans to “join” the war – Truth or Fake

Fake: Document Says that Ukrainian General Requests Additional Burial Plots at the Zaporizhia Cemetery…

This "letter" has been forged, as evidenced by numerous gross errors in the text and vocabulary not typical of official documents. Specifically, the "letter" incorrectly states the addressee's official position and the location of the cemetery for victims of World War II, and the surname of the secretary of the Zaporizhia city council is misspelled.

Read MoreFake: Document Says that Ukrainian General Requests Additional Burial Plots at the Zaporizhia Cemetery…

Manipulation: Poland Says “West is Preparing Coup in Belarus”

Polish General Waldemar Skrzypczak did not talk about the West supposedly preparing a coup in Belarus. Skrzypczak emphasized that events similar to those that recently took place in the Belgorod region are quite likely to occur in Belarus in the event of a successful advancement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Polish military officer, it is the citizens of Belarus who may potentially rise against the self-proclaimed regime of President Lukashenko in the future. He stated that Poland should be prepared for this and support a democratic uprising in the neighboring country.

Read MoreManipulation: Poland Says “West is Preparing Coup in Belarus”

Fake: Odesa School Children Recruited to the Front

Russian propaganda is spreading another fake in the form of a "questionnaire" filled with numerous errors and listing military activities which simply do not exist in the Ukrainian military. Children and minors are not involved in Ukraine's military service in any way. Mobilization is mandatory for individuals aged 18 to 60.

Read MoreFake: Odesa School Children Recruited to the Front

Fake: One Third of Annual Patriot Missile Production Destroyed in Ukraine

Without providing any evidence, anonymous sources are claiming that one third of the Patriot missiles produced annually are being destroyed in Ukraine. There are over 240 Patriot systems in 18 different countries in total (with Ukraine being the 19th), and thousands of missiles with different characteristics are produced for them. This sprint American defense companies have also signed additional contracts with the US Army for the production of Patriot missile systems components.

Read MoreFake: One Third of Annual Patriot Missile Production Destroyed in Ukraine

Fake: ICEYE Satellite Purchased by Ukrainians is Used for News Broadcasting

Ukrainian journalists have not published any investigations regarding the ICEYE satellite purchased by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation through donations from Ukrainians. Satellites for television signal transmission and the ICEYE operate in different orbits and serve different purposes.

Read MoreFake: ICEYE Satellite Purchased by Ukrainians is Used for News Broadcasting

Fake: West Needs to Plan for Ukraine’s Future As If Its Counteroffensive Already Failed…

The Foreign Affairs article does not address a need to plan Ukraine's future after a failed counteroffensive. This conclusion was fabricated by Russian propagandists. The authors of the article discuss the need for the West to plan long-term support for Ukraine, as there is currently no clear plan for what will happen after the counteroffensive. However, the United States and other European countries have repeatedly stated they will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Read MoreFake: West Needs to Plan for Ukraine’s Future As If Its Counteroffensive Already Failed…

When Russian propaganda mimics French news to spread disinformation – Truth or Fake

For several months, at least six fake anti-Ukraine covers of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo have been circulating online, especially on Russian Telegram channels. Now a fake news report, attributed to French media outlet 20 Minutes, falsely accuses Russian independent journalist Ilya Ber of being behind these Charlie Hebdo covers. We debunk this false news report in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreWhen Russian propaganda mimics French news to spread disinformation – Truth or Fake