Category Fact checks / debunkings

Manipulation: Massive German Protests Against Tanks for Ukraine

Russian media are claiming that mass demonstrations took place in Munich against German tank supplies to Ukraine. This is a manipulation of a demonstration against something completely different. In the video from the Munich demonstration, there is not a single sign against Germany sending tanks to Ukraine. Such demonstrations, organized by the group München steht auf, are held regularly in the Bavarian capital, usually on Wednesdays. München steht auf is a group that advocates for a world without weapons, they are against vaccinations, against measures for coronavirus containment, and against the German government. The protesters are so-called Querdenkers - "dissenters." During the coronavirus pandemic, they often disseminated fakes about COVID-19, "harmful vaccinations", chipping, 5G radiation, and airplane vapor trails conspiracy theories.

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U.S. spending in Afghanistan dwarfs aid to Ukraine

Congress has approved about $111 billion in aid to Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

During a 20-year entanglement in Afghanistan, the U.S. spent between $825 billion and $2.3 trillion, depending on the source of the estimate and what's being included.

Even taking the lower estimate of $825 billion, the U.S. would have spent $714 billion more in Afghanistan than in aid to Ukraine.

We rate the claim that the amount the U.S. has spent in Ukraine is "double the U.S. expenditure for its own war in Afghanistan" False.

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FACT CHECK: Did NATO Undertake ‘Operation Justice’ To Intervene In Ukraine? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence NATO has undertaken “Operation Justice.” Check Your Fact has previously debunked claims that NATO is intervening in Ukraine.

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Debunking claims that Poland’s army will create ‘special’ LGBT units – Truth or Fake

Russian social media channels and media are sharing a doctored video that alleges Poland will form army units of "non-traditional orientation". We disprove these claims in this edition of Truth or Fake.

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Fabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

This story was fabricated. It appeared on Real Raw News, a site that regularly publishes false, fantastical stories authored by someone using a pseudonym.

Real Raw News stories are authored by someone using a pseudonym and the site has a disclaimer saying it contains "humor, parody and satire," though the author has defended his stories as truth.

We found no credible news reports or other sources to corroborate the claims in this post.

QAnon promotes a number of conspiracy theories that invoke pedophilia and a Democratic cabal. QAnon adherents were present during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These ideas also infiltrated political discourse as recently as the 2022 midterm elections.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

Read MoreFabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

Fake: Posters in Stuttgart Airport Calling on German Government Not to Send Tanks to…

A doctored image is being circulated online. According to the Stuttgart
Airport press service, the monitor featured in the doctored image only
broadcasts commercial advertisements or periodic notifications to
passengers about security checks and operational changes.

Read MoreFake: Posters in Stuttgart Airport Calling on German Government Not to Send Tanks to…

How Russia is broadcasting fake Polish TV reports to scare their citizens

Did a Polish news channel really broadcast a weather map showing Poland expanding into Ukrainian territory? Or the TV report on how the Polish army was creating an LGBT paramilitary unit? Both of these video reports do feature the logo of a Polish public broadcaster. But there are a lot of clues that make it pretty clear that these 'reports' are fake.

Read MoreHow Russia is broadcasting fake Polish TV reports to scare their citizens

Fake: The West Not Only Sending Weapons to Ukraine, But Also Manpower

The Washington Post has not written that the West is sending soldiers to
Ukraine. On the contrary, the article Russian media refer to focuses on
International Legion foreign fighters who voluntarily go to war - each for
his own reasons. None of the countries that are currently providing
military aid to Ukraine have expressed readiness to send troops to
participate in hostilities, nor has Ukraine ever asked that they do.

Read MoreFake: The West Not Only Sending Weapons to Ukraine, But Also Manpower