Category Putin

FACT CHECK: No, This Video Does Not Show Vladimir Putin’s Airplane Escort

This is not a genuine cover of The Economist. It has not been shared on the publication's archive of past editions, or elsewhere on its website. The Economist edition for 24 February 2024 did feature a different illustration of President Putin and Mr Trump with the title 'Is Europe ready?'

Read MoreFACT CHECK: No, This Video Does Not Show Vladimir Putin’s Airplane Escort

FACT CHECK: Did the Secretary General of NATO Threaten To Expel the United States?

This quote is not real, however. There is no proof that Rutte has ever said or implied that he would expel the U.S. from NATO, and Rutte congratulated the incoming President on his victory in a post on X just two days after Election Day.

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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.

DISINFO: ISIS claiming responsibility for Moscow attack looks like a fake

The claim is patently false, as this disinformation story was itself illustrated with a screen capture taken from Amaq, the official Islamic State propaganda media. As terrorism experts pointed out, this leaves no question regarding the authenticity of the statement. No longer after this disinformation story appeared, the Islamic State released multiple evidence, including a gruesome video of the Moscow attack filmed by the attackers themselves, leaving little doubt about its responsibility.

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DISINFO: Spanish media show solidarity with ISIS terrorists and praise them

There were incidents where suspects were tortured and mutilated by Russian security forces, who captured this mistreatment in videos and pictures, following their arrest. The coverage of the attack in the Spanish media has unequivocally condemned this terrorist act against civilians.

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DISINFO: Ukraine’s top official confirmed its participation in the Moscow Crocus City terror attack

The video is fake. Oleksiy Danilov never uttered these sentences. The video has been confirmed as having been generated by artificial intelligence from two previous interviews with Danilov. According to BBC Verify, "the two interviews used to create the fake video can be accessed on YouTube, one -dated 19 March- features Danilov and the other -dated 16 March- Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov".

Read MoreDISINFO: Ukraine’s top official confirmed its participation in the Moscow Crocus City terror attack

DISINFO: Pope Francis congratulated Putin on his re-election

The press service of the Holy See denied the claim in a comment to the fact-checking website POLYGRAPH.info. The false report continued to feature on the main website of RIA Novosti, Russia's leading state-owned media organisation.

Read MoreDISINFO: Pope Francis congratulated Putin on his re-election

DISINFO: Ukraine Commander-in-Chief’s stepson asks Putin for Russian passport

Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation said Ivan Syrskyi is the son of Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi's ex-wife. Colonel-General Syrskyi did not adopt Ivan, which is why Ivan is not his stepson. Ivan and his mother have been living in Australia for 14 years. Oleksandr Syrskyi does not communicate with them and is not responsible for the actions of his ex-wife's son. Ivan Syrskyi is a private person and his actions cannot be attributed to the Ukrainian authorities.

In the video, issued on 20 February 2024, Ivan Syrskyi did not ask Putin to grant him Russian citizenship or say he wanted to cast a ballot. Answering a question in the Russian Consulate General in Sydney whether he was planning to ask for a Russian passport, he said: 'I am planning.' He also said: 'Glory to Russia' and some other phrases, without mentioning Putin. Ivan Syrskyi actually asked for Russian citizenship in 2021. This was 3 years before Oleksandr Syrskyi was appointed Commander-in-Chief.

Read MoreDISINFO: Ukraine Commander-in-Chief’s stepson asks Putin for Russian passport