Category Russian propaganda

No, Zelensky hasn’t bought Eagle’s Nest, it is still in ownership of Bavarian state

Russia's war against Ukraine is not only a military confrontation, but Moscow is also deliberately targetting the Ukrainian president with disinformation and narratives that seek to discredit him. In early February 2025, posts on social media falsely claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky had purchased a property known as the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden in the southern German state of Bavaria. However, the site -- which was closely associated with the Nazis during World War II and is a popular tourist destination even today -- is still owned by the state authorities. Furthermore, the false claims seem to have originated from a Russian disinformation network.

Read MoreNo, Zelensky hasn’t bought Eagle’s Nest, it is still in ownership of Bavarian state

Trump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine

Disinformation targeting Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky is surging as US President Donald Trump's shift on the war frays relations with Kyiv and threatens to cripple support for the battle-worn nation. [...]

Joseph Bodnar, a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (archived here), said the Russian influence efforts are focused "on fostering animosity between the Trump and Zelensky administrations."

"Russia wants to convince US negotiators that Ukraine is their enemy, not their partner. It's a means for the Kremlin to extract favorable terms in whatever peace settlement comes."

Read MoreTrump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine

Fact Check: Did Ukraine ‘Psychological Warfare’ Unit Get $140M From USAID?

False. For the $140 million claim to have been true, USAID would have had to have paid out more to this "Psychological Warfare" center than most of its actual spending obligations.

The image used to support the claim was based on a nonexistent article, edited from a real but unrelated story by Fox News, not about Ukraine. The claim appeared on Russian Telegram accounts before it was spread widely by English-speaking commentators on X, formerly Twitter.

Read MoreFact Check: Did Ukraine ‘Psychological Warfare’ Unit Get $140M From USAID?

Fact check: Trump’s false claims on Zelenskyy, Ukraine aid – DW – 02/21/2025

Is Zelenskyy a dictator who is refusing to hold elections?
Is Zelenskyy running low in the polls?
Has the US spent $350 billion on Ukraine?
Can Ukraine-attached spending explain the gap?
Who has spent more on Ukraine: the USA or Europe?

Read MoreFact check: Trump’s false claims on Zelenskyy, Ukraine aid – DW – 02/21/2025

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: What is the truth behind Trump’s claims on Ukraine? | Euronews

Zelenskyy is not a 'dictator' with 4% approval rating
The US does not provide Ukraine with more support than the EU
Russia is deploying significant military resources in Ukraine

Read MoreFact check: What is the truth behind Trump’s claims on Ukraine? | Euronews

Trump said Zelensky treated gay Cabinet member “rudely.” Photographic evidence says otherwise.

Preisdent Donald Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky treated out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent “rudely” when he traveled to the capital of Ukraine and didn't even meet with him. But then photos of the two men meeting were posted online, contradicting Trump's story.

Read MoreTrump said Zelensky treated gay Cabinet member “rudely.” Photographic evidence says otherwise.

Trump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Did Ukraine start its war with Russia, as President Donald Trump said? No, Russia invaded

Media outlets worldwide covered Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged it as a "special military operation," saying the offensive would "seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine."

For years, Russia has sought to blame Ukrainian actions for its invasion.

Read MoreTrump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Trump’s False and Misleading Ukraine Claims – FactCheck.org

After U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump made several false and misleading statements about the conflict and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine had "started" the war with Russia, saying the country could have made a "deal." Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He inflated the amount of U.S. aid for Ukraine and wrongly said the U.S. gave "$200 billion more than Europe." Aid from Europe is higher than that from the U.S.

Trump distorted comments Zelenskyy made to claim that the Ukrainian president "admits that half of the money that we sent them is missing." A Trump administration official has said the U.S. tracks the money.

Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator" and misleadingly said that he "refuses" to have elections. Because of the war, the country is under martial law and can't have an election, according to Ukrainian law.

Read MoreTrump’s False and Misleading Ukraine Claims – FactCheck.org

Fact check: No, Zelenskyy doesn’t have 4% approval as Trump claims; it’s over 50%

In reality, respected polls in Ukraine show that Zelenskyy has over 50% approval among Ukrainians. The most recent, published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in early February, showed that 57% of respondents said they trusted Zelenskyy.

Read MoreFact check: No, Zelenskyy doesn’t have 4% approval as Trump claims; it’s over 50%