Category Putin

Did Russian president Vladimir Putin warn the US not to interfere in Israel-Hamas war? No, ignore old video with fake translations – Africa Check

A video has been circling social media of Putin warning the U.S. to not involve themselves in the war between Israel and Hamas. The video contained accompanying English subtitles. But, the subtitles were fabricated, and the video was originally recorded December 2022 regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Read MoreDid Russian president Vladimir Putin warn the US not to interfere in Israel-Hamas war? No, ignore old video with fake translations – Africa Check

Was Russia ready to sign a peace treaty with Ukraine in 2022?

Putin's claims that a treaty was ready and acceptable for Ukraine in the spring of 2022 but was rejected by Ukraine are highly unlikely. The documents displayed at the June 17 meeting are likely to have been working drafts. The positions of the parties were too far apart, and Russia was not likely to abide by a ceasefire. A treaty would have to be signed by the presidents, and subject to a referendum in Ukraine.

Read MoreWas Russia ready to sign a peace treaty with Ukraine in 2022?

Video shows Putin at judo coach’s burial in 2013, not Wagner leader’s funeral

Days after Wagner commander Yevgeny Prigozhin was confirmed dead in a plane crash, a video emerged on social media with claims that it showed Russian President Vladimir Putin attending his funeral. However, these claims are false; the footage dates back to 2013, and shows Putin at the funeral of his long-time judo trainer.

Read MoreVideo shows Putin at judo coach’s burial in 2013, not Wagner leader’s funeral

Are Wagner fighters disguised as migrants?

Claim: "The Wagnerians are entering Poland as migrants - claims Polsat News," users posted on X (previously known as Twitter). They are referring to the Polish media outlet Polsat News as the alleged source of that information. "People are sure that illegal immigrants from Belarus are entering the country, who are in fact fighters of the PMC Wagner," one of the users adds.

DW fact check: Unproven

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Fake Zakharova: Ukrainians Want to See Putin as Their President

Russian claims that Ukrainians would like a president like Vladimir Putin are false. After Russia's occupation and annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in Donbas in 2014, Putin's standing among Ukrainians plummeted and reached a minimum after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read MoreFake Zakharova: Ukrainians Want to See Putin as Their President

Fake: EU Asks Russia to Lower Grain Price for the Sake of “Fair Competition”

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Josep Borrell did not ask Russia to lower the price of grain for the sake
of "fair competition". In public speeches, the diplomat has said Russia is
causing a global food crisis and that Moscow's actions would lead to a
global rise in prices.

Read MoreFake: EU Asks Russia to Lower Grain Price for the Sake of “Fair Competition”

Fake: Russia Has Never Used Cluster Bombs Against Ukraine

Numerous reports from international human rights organizations prove that
since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has
regularly deployed cluster bombs against Ukrainian civilians and Ukrainian
civilian infrastructure. One such cluster munitions attack was the April
8, 2022, Russian missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station, which
killed at least 58 civilians and injured some 100 people.

Read MoreFake: Russia Has Never Used Cluster Bombs Against Ukraine