Category Fact checks / debunkings

Fake: US Consulate in Milan Publishes Post with Ukraine and Nazi Germany Flags

Employees of the US consulate in Milan never published a Twitter post with
the flags of Ukraine and Nazi Germany. The consulate's Twitter account was
hacked. After regaining control over the account, the hacked post was
deleted.

Read MoreFake: US Consulate in Milan Publishes Post with Ukraine and Nazi Germany Flags

Fake: Air Raid Siren During Joe Biden’s Visit to Kyiv Turned on Intentionally

According to Ukraine's Air Force, the air raid alert that sounded during
the US President Joe Biden's visit to Kyiv was due to the take-off of in
Belarus of MiG-31K aircraft carrying Russian Kinzhal missiles. The maximum
range of such missiles is more than 2,000 kilometers, which is why air
raids sirens are sounded throughout the country every time Russian planes
carrying those missiles take off.

Read MoreFake: Air Raid Siren During Joe Biden’s Visit to Kyiv Turned on Intentionally

Footage shows Volodymyr Zelensky’s bodyguard, not body double

Social media posts claim a man pictured trailing Volodymyr Zelensky during US President Joe Biden's surprise trip to Kyiv was the Ukrainian leader's secret body double or clone. This is false; other footage of the same moments shows the man is Maksym Donets, Zelensky's bodyguard since 2019.

Read MoreFootage shows Volodymyr Zelensky’s bodyguard, not body double

The war in Ukraine isn’t ‘fake,’ and these photos don’t prove that it is

Construction workers in Ukraine have been working to repair homes damaged by missiles during the country's war with Russia. Their efforts have been captured by amateur and professional photographers, as well as multiple news organizations.

A photo of a reconstructed building is not proof the war is fake. The war is real and has left thousands of civilians dead.

Images from professional and amateur photographers captured the repair progress. European Pressphoto Agency published multiple before-and-after images of the building. One montage of images shared on Twitter on Feb. 26, 2023, appears to show the building repairs at different phases.

We rate claims that these images prove the war in Ukraine is fake Pants on Fire!

Read MoreThe war in Ukraine isn’t ‘fake,’ and these photos don’t prove that it is

Here’s what we know about the Ukrainian soldier accused of wearing an IS group badge – Truth or Fake

Images of a Ukrainian soldier on the frontline wearing what seems to be an Islamic State (IS) group badge on his arm have taken the internet by storm. Some users and media outlets claim this is evidence of links between the terrorist group and Ukraine. The soldier himself says differently. We tell you what we know so far in this edition of Truth or Fake, with Vedika Bahl.

Read MoreHere’s what we know about the Ukrainian soldier accused of wearing an IS group badge – Truth or Fake

Ukraine: One year of misinformation and how it has shaped the war narrative – Truth or Fake

On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering a ground war, but also an information war online. Since then, the FRANCE 24 Observers team has debunked 115 pieces of fake news shared via online photos and videos. But what are the main themes in these false narratives? What techniques were used to misinform? In this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl, we take a look back at one year in fake news.

Read MoreUkraine: One year of misinformation and how it has shaped the war narrative – Truth or Fake

Images of Biden eating ice cream in Ukraine are doctored

Images purporting to show Joe Biden eating ice cream in Ukraine have widely circulated on social media since the US president's surprise visit to the country on February 20, 2023. But the photos are manipulated; the original pictures show Biden in the US states of Ohio and Oregon.

Read MoreImages of Biden eating ice cream in Ukraine are doctored