What was claimed: A video shows Ukrainian troops surrendering in the Kursk region on 11 March 2025.
Our verdict: The clip predates this and has been shared online since at least April 2022.
"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," Trump wrote.
But there aren't thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk any longer. They left days ago, despite what Putin may claim. "It's wise to rely on intelligence," Tatarigami advised, "not Putin's word."
Did a video circulating on social media show Russian President Vladimir Putin making a public statement about Russia's terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine in March 2025? No, that's not true: The clip had been online for nine months. It showed Putin's remarks from June 2024.
The Verdict: Misleading.
According to reports, the video actually shows Ukrainian servicemen surrendering in Mariupol in 2022.
A post shared on X claims to show Ukrainian troops surrendering in Kursk in 2025.
Verdict: Misleading
This video is from 2022 and shows Ukrainian troops surrendering in Mariupol, not Kursk.
WHAT WAS CLAIMED: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a journalist had an exchange about the impending peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
OUR VERDICT: Fake: No such exchange on diplomacy and Russia's concessions took place between Hegseth and a reporter in a press briefing after a NATO defense ministers' meeting on Feb. 13.
The claim was based on a fake, unverified article that was later deleted, with the publishing website issuing a public apology. Maksym Savrasov and other Ukrainian officials denied the claim.
What was claimed: A video shows the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, calling Vladimir Putin a "butcher" and commenting on his "war crimes" during a press conference with US president Donald Trump.
Our verdict: This isn't quite right. Mr Macron referred to killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and mentioned war crimes, but did not describe President Putin as a "butcher".
In conclusion, there is no credible evidence that American weapons sent to Ukraine are ending up in Mexico, Syria, Gaza or any location outside of Ukraine, and claims otherwise may be attributed to Russian disinformation campaigns. The United States and Ukrainian governments have attempted strict oversight of their weapons - to mixed results - but any arms trafficking happening in Ukraine appears, as of this writing, to be contained to isolated incidents by criminals.
Conclusion: European military outmatches Russian in key areas, with 1.47 million personnel, 367,760 armored vehicles and over 2,000 warships, including six aircraft carriers. France, Germany and Britain are increasing defense spending, while Russia struggles with losses, outdated stockpiles, and sanctions-limited weapons production.