Category Putin

Fact Check: Video Of Putin Speaking About Russian Terms For Ceasefire Is NOT From 2025

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.

Read MoreFact Check: Video Of Putin Speaking About Russian Terms For Ceasefire Is NOT From 2025

Macron didn’t call Putin a ‘butcher’ in news conference with Trump

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".

Read MoreMacron didn’t call Putin a ‘butcher’ in news conference with Trump

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine's parliament).

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

How common is it for democracies to postpone elections during wartime?

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine’s parliament).

Experts have also noted a number of practical obstacles to holding elections - around one-fifth of the country is currently occupied by Russia, millions of Ukrainians are displaced or serving on front lines, and there are security concerns.

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Posts share Trump deepfake after reported call with Putin

After US media reported Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had spoken on the phone about ending the Ukraine war, social media users shared a video claiming it shows the US leader giving details of the call. Experts told AFP the video appears to be a deepfake. While neither Washington nor Moscow officially confirmed any conversations between the leaders when the clip surfaced, Trump later revealed he had agreed with Putin to immediately start negotiations during a call on February 12.

Read MorePosts share Trump deepfake after reported call with Putin

Trump’s ‘make peace or die’ message to Putin is deepfake – yet it fooled Russians

On Jan. 27, Andrey Isayev, a member of Russia's State Duma (the lower house of parliament), accused U.S. President Donald Trump of trying to "rudely" force Russian President Vladimir Putin to start peace negotiations with Ukraine. [...]

"Trump threatened our president rather rudely, it must be said, pressuring to start the negotiations and reminding of Qaddafi's fate."

The claim is false.

Read MoreTrump’s ‘make peace or die’ message to Putin is deepfake – yet it fooled Russians

Russian President Vladimir Putin suffered a heart attack Oct. 22, 2023.

Unverified reports about Russian President Vladimir Putin's health have been circulating online, driven by social media.

The Kremlin denied Russian President Vladimir Putin was ill. Photos released by Russian media show Putin at meetings and public events in the days after this supposed health emergency.

The claim started on Telegram, a platform known for facilitating the spread of misinformation about Russia. The account that made the claim has shared other dubious reports about Putin's health in the past.

Based on available information, we rate the claim that Putin recently suffered a heart attack False.

Read MoreRussian President Vladimir Putin suffered a heart attack Oct. 22, 2023.