Fact checks: from across the internet
Ukraine Fact Check presents fact checks on Ukraine in two different ways. Our team works to:
1. index and tag existing fact-check articles from reputable sources from across the internet;
2. compile and publish original fact check articles, based our team’s own research into a subject.
Below, you can find the fact-check articles published by other websites across the internet.
Disclaimer: Ukraine Fact Check was not involved in producing the articles listed below. The information presented in them may be incorrect, incomplete, or misleading. As with any other type of article, read with a critical eye, check sources, and seek other opinions before making up your mind on important topics.
Video Fake: Ukraine to Make a Horror Movie About Military Mobilization
Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan admitted in her TV program that this video was created by the Russia Today team, and that they will continue to produce similar content.
Manipulation: Poles No Longer Want to See Ukrainian Refugees in Poland – CNN
Russian propaganda, using the CNN article, made a manipulative generalization that Poles in general do not want to see Ukrainians in their country anymore. The original source does not talk about the mood in Poland in general, but only covers a rally of the far-right Confederation party, known for its anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. In the parliamentary elections, this party received the lowest result, and a national poll in September 2023 showed that 65% of Poles support the reception of refugees from Ukraine.
Fake: Ukrainians Drafted to Volunteer Battalions in Israel
The document on the video is fake. It does not match the official sample of the drafting paper. The graphs are incorrectly indicated and the text is full of errors. Most likely, this video was created as a provocation.
Fake: France Suffers From Bedbugs Influx Due to Anti-Russian Sanctions
The French media La Montagne did not publish an article entitled “Sanctions against Russia led to a bedbug epidemic in Paris.” Most likely, a screenshot of this publication was created in a photo editor. Mass appearances of bedbugs are not related to anti-Russian sanctions, but to the insects adapting to insecticides, climate change and people beginning to travel more in crowded transport.
Fake: In Gaza Bucharest Will Save Ukrainians First, then Its Citizens
Romania has not made any statements that it is going to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from the Gaza Strip in the first place. Evacuation of citizens of all nationalities from the Gaza Strip is currently impossible.
Fake: Kyiv Forbids Keeping in Touch with Ukrainians in the Temporarily Occupied Territories
Such statements are not true. There are no sanctions for communicating with residents of temporarily occupied territories. There are some obstacles such as problems with communication and the safety of people who are under occupation. But they are a direct consequence of Russia’s armed aggression in Ukraine and the violent seizure of Ukrainian territories by the Russian military.
Fake: Western Countries Begin Partition of Ukrainian Regions
None of the ally states, except aggressive Russia, have any territorial claims to Ukraine. Experts suggest rebuilding post-war Ukraine using the experience of the Second World War aftermath.
Fake: First Children’s Brigade Being Formed in Ukraine
In a comment for StopFake, the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in the Sumy region claimed that this information is fake. There is even no 153rd brigade in the Armed Forces. Instead, the 153rd separate battalion of the territorial defense was formed in Shostka at the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. In Ukraine, only citizens over the age of 18 are considered conscripts and can be drafted.
Biden urged aid for Israel, Ukraine. He didn’t declare World War III
A video in a recent Facebook post cobbles together quotes from an Oct. 19 address by President Joe Biden as evidence that the commander in chief has confirmed World War III is underway.
President Joe Biden urged aid for Israel and Ukraine in a recent primetime address; he didn’t declare World War III.
We rate claims Biden confirmed World War III on live TV – or anywhere – False.
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.
Rakvere products in Russian propaganda
In response to the viral photos, the representative also raised questions about their authenticity, pointing out that labels on the products appeared to be printed on paper and merely taped onto the goods. […]
In a twist to the viral post, Facebook users have taken the investigation a step further. They’ve tried to identify the specific store and pointed out that it is currently out of service.
Fake: Biden Says Money For The Deaths of Ukrainians is an United States’ Investment
Biden was not referring to investments in “killing Ukrainians” or the American military-industrial complex, as the Russian media wrote. The president was talking about investing in the security and stability of the democratic world. Biden noted that when terrorists do not pay the price for their terror, and dictators do not pay for their aggression, they cause even more chaos, death and destruction, triggering a chain of unpunished cruelty around the world.
The American President emphasized that there is a direct link between Ukraine’s victory in the Russian war and the well-being of American citizens. Biden emphasized that if we do not stop dictator Putin and his ilk now, after Ukraine and Israel, they will move on to other countries â the NATO countries, including the United States.
Fake: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny Is Preparing a Military Coup
The Ukrainian Forces Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny, did not say anything of the sort. This video is a high-quality fake, a so-called deepfake, created using artificial intelligence.
Fake: Ukrainian Orthodox Churches Celebrate Halloween
Halloween was not celebrated in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine temples. In the original video, the choir performs the church song How Beautiful is Your Temple, Mother of God, and not the song dedicated to evil spirits holiday. In addition, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church publicly condemns any celebration of Halloween.
Fake: Ukrainians Demand Ransom from the Deceased Hamas Hostage’s Family
There is no police investigation claiming that the family of Shani Louk, who was killed by Hamas, received ransom calls from Ukraine. Neither the German media WDR, cited by the propagandists, nor any other credible sources published such news. Propaganda used the signature style of the German media to justify Hamas and denigrate Ukraine.
Manipulation: Security in Ukrainian Trains Will Detect Passengers Opposed to the Zelenskyi Regime
Employing security officers is a standard practice for companies that organize passenger transportation. The main task of the officers is not to detect those disloyal to the authorities, as the propagandists claim, but to control security at railway facilities, primarily with the aim of preventing citizens from transporting explosive and other prohibited substances and weapons without proper permission.
Fake: Former Porn Actress Mia Khalifa Thanks Ukraine for Helping Hamas
Former American adult actress of Lebanese origin Mia Khalifa did not thank Ukraine for helping the Islamic movement Hamas. Neither USA TODAY, which is cited by Russian propaganda, nor any other reputable media outlets have published news with words of gratitude to Ukraine from Mia Khalifa.
FACT CHECK: Breaking Down Nikki Haley’s Claim About Ukraine Aid Spending | Check Your Fact
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ International Security Program:
“Measured by percentage of GDP, the United States at .3% is behind most European countries, with 30 others ahead of the United States. Measured as a percentage of the defense budget, military aid to Ukraine (excluding humanitarian assistance, economic support, and money going to other US agencies) comes to about 3.5% of the defense budget over the two fiscal years of the war. This may be the 3.5% that Haley referred to. I don’t have comparisons to other countries. The number needs to be handle cautiously, however, because all the Ukraine aid was added to the budget and did not come out of DoD base budget.”
“Bottom line: measured by dollars, the United States is far ahead of other countries. Measured by level of effort, percentage of GDP, many countries exceed the US effort,” Cancian added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Flaunts Crazy Belly-Dancing Moves in Viral Video?
This is not an authentic video of Volodymyr Zelenskyy performing a belly dance. The original video, published on June 1, 2023, showed Pablo Acosta, a dancer from Argentina.
When we compared the “Zelenskyy” video to the one published on @pabloacostabellydance Instagram account, it became clear that the viral footage had been digitally manipulated to superimpose Zelenskyy’s face on Acosta’s body. Therefore, we rated this claim as Fake.
Fake story about death of Burisma ‘whistleblower’ started on site known for misinformation
PolitiFact found nothing to substantiate claims that a Burisma accountant was “found dead” before she could provide incriminating evidence on the Biden family.
We traced this viral headline to a site known for publishing misinformation. The narrative appears to have stemmed from an unclear comment made by Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s former attorney.