Russian propaganda

4 Nuclear Fakes: Russia’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Lies at the UN Security Council

The UN Security Council, convened by Russia on August 11 to discuss the situation around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), became another opportunity for Russia to spread disinformation against Ukraine. The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, it is located in Enerhodar, 120 kilometers south of the regional capital of Zaporizhzhia, and has been temporarily occupied by Russian troops since March of this year. Speaking at the session, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasiliy Nebenzya declared the urgency to "stop the Kyiv regime" and accused Ukraine of "attacking nuclear infrastructure facilities." This time the Russian lies were based on four propaganda messages (outlined here).

Read More4 Nuclear Fakes: Russia’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Lies at the UN Security Council

Fake: European Parliament Finds No Evidence Russia Sponsors Terrorism

Russian media claims that the European Parliament found no evidence that Russia sponsors terrorism is the opinion of only one parliamentarian - Gunnar Beck, a member of the pro-Russian Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany) party. Beck however did not say anything about the European Parliament and its decisions regarding Russia and terrorism.

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Manipulation: EU Demands Ukraine Make Concessions to Russia, Says Former Foreign Affairs Advisor

On the contrary, former EU foreign affairs advisor Nathalie Tocci urges EU countries to maintain their unity and warns against any concessions to Russia, especially if hostilities in Ukraine diminish. Tocci emphasises that when the violence subsides, the West must show its true resilience and redouble its support for Kyiv, not only to ensure that Russia loses this war, but that Ukraine actually wins it.

Read MoreManipulation: EU Demands Ukraine Make Concessions to Russia, Says Former Foreign Affairs Advisor

Manipulation: Most Ukrainian Refugees Fled to Russia, says UNHCR

The propagandists failed to mention that the data submitted to the UN with comes with an explanatory footnote. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees noted that these numbers are merely estimates and there is no information on how many of those Ukrainians who left for Russia later returned back home. For those living in the temporarily occupied territories, leaving through Russia is one of the very few ways of escaping Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Read MoreManipulation: Most Ukrainian Refugees Fled to Russia, says UNHCR

Fake: Poroshenko Planning Military Coup in Ukraine

Russian propagandists are using a recent Le Monde article about former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko possibly using his military activities as a campaign slogan in the upcoming elections as a military coup plan. The article does not mention any such plans or make any assumptions about him preparing a military coup in Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Poroshenko Planning Military Coup in Ukraine

Fake: Ukrainian Flags Banned in Spanish Refugee Center

The owners of Epic Gym in Benalmadena, Spain, whose building features on a photograph being disseminated by Russian media and officials, say they have never had anti-Ukrainian graffiti on their wall. Photo verifications apps also show the picture has been doctored.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Flags Banned in Spanish Refugee Center

Fake: Ukrainians Selling Switchblade 300 Drones on Darknet

The alleged Switchblade 300 sale ads use photos of two different Switchblade drones, both of which were damaged and shot down in Syria in the past decade. These photographs first appeared on the web six and seven years ago, respectively.

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Manipulation: Majority of Europeans Against New Russian Sanctions

According to a YouGov poll, the idea of ​​introducing new additional sanctions against Russia has strong support among Europeans: 74% of those surveyed in Poland, 75% in the UK, 76% in Spain, 55% in Germany, 56% in Italy, 62% in France, all support the introduction of additional economic sanctions against Russia in their country. What the Europeans are unwilling to support are further sanctions against Russia if it would negatively impact their own standard of living. It was this single indicator - one of many in the survey - that the Kremlin media focused on, portraying it as the overall European sentiment on sanctions, thereby manipulating the integrity of the YouGov survey data.

Read MoreManipulation: Majority of Europeans Against New Russian Sanctions

Fake: Russian Specialists to Modernize Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Raise Capacity by 30%

Russian forces seized the Kakhovka (a run-of-river power plant on the Dnipro River in Nova Kakhovka, southern Ukraine) in the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Much of the equipment needed for modernization of the plant is produced only in Ukraine or in EU countries. In order to install more powerful equipment, it is necessary to alter the power station's design, this in turn can damage the plant's reinforced concrete dam. Such work would last for several years and would raise capacity only by some 5% and not the 30% that Russian propagandists claim.

Read MoreFake: Russian Specialists to Modernize Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Raise Capacity by 30%