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.
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.
Fact check: Russia’s influence on Africa
Russia seeks to gain influence in Africa in several ways, from disinformation campaigns to sending Wagner Group mercenaries. Why is Africa so important to Vladimir Putin?
No, Elijah Wood did not urge Volodymyr Zelensky to seek treatment for alleged addictions
A video has been circulating online that allegedly shows “Lord of the Rings” actor Elijah Wood giving the Ukrainian president advice on how to tackle his alleged drug and alcohol addictions. He can be seen recording himself and talking to a so-called “Vladimir”. However, the video has been heavily edited and his agent has confirmed it was not published by the actor.
Fake: Wikipedia Article Shows Kyiv Knew in Advance Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral Strike
Information about the destruction of the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral
appeared in the Wikipedia article about the church shortly after it became
clear which buildings were damaged by the Russian attack on Odesa during
the night of July 23. Ukrainian Wikipedia administrator Anatoliy Lutsyuk
explains that the editing history of Wikipedia uses UTC time, which
currently is three hours ahead of Kyiv time.
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.
Fake: Ukraine Secretly Transplants Soldiers’ Organs
Ukrainian legislation has prohibited organ transplants of servicemen who
died during hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2019. A
new draft law under review is designed to clarify previously adopted norms,
broadening the ban on organ removal from servicemen who died in the line of
duty anywhere in Ukraine, where hostilities are taking place.
Did Elijah Wood Tell Zelensky via Instagram to Go to Rehab?
Apart from the fact that the video has been bizarrely edited, it does not mention Zelensky, only someone named Vladimir, and is attributed to an Instagram account with no web presence.
Elijah Wood does not have a public Instagram account and the video being shared of him online, allegedly asking Zelensky to seek treatment, is the only recording available. The video appears to have been spread as a Russian propaganda effort and to promote a dubious documentary that falsely credits Tom Cruise as its star.
Although Newsweek is yet to hear from Wood’s representatives for comment, we are confident that the video and claims surrounding it are, respectively, inauthentic and false.
Fake: Zelenskyy’s office is discussing splitting up Ukraine
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly emphasized that it is not going to cede its territory to Russia for peace. For Ukraine, there is only one acceptable way to end the Russian war: the undisputed victory of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the de-occupation of all Ukrainian lands.
Joe Rogan Claims U.S. Accidentally Sent $6.2 Billion to Ukraine
The U.S. did not accidentally send $6.2 billion to Ukraine. An overestimation of the cost of some military hardware meant that $6.2 billion was not spent in the transfer of U.S. stocks to Ukraine.
While the DOD has said that this can now be used toward future stock drawdowns authorized by the president, that does not mean $6.2 billion has been sent accidentally, and all that implies, to Ukraine.
Fake: Sumy Region Residents are Compelled to Pay for “Forced Evacuation”
These reports are a complete fabrication. Evacuation from the border areas of Sumy region has not yet begun. The local authorities are still compiling lists of those willing to move to safer regions, after which free transfers and accommodation will be organized for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Sumy Regional Military Administration emphasizes that there will be no emergency or forced evacuation. If someone decides to refuse to be evacuated, it is enough to write a request.
Did Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Ask for Donations to Ukraine?
Claim: Country music star couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood once recorded a video to ask people to donate money to help Ukraine’s relief efforts following Russia’s invasion of the country.
Rating: True
Famous football chant misrepresented as Ukrainians celebrating Crimea bridge blast
A video circulating online purports to show Ukrainians in a packed pub celebrating the country’s recent attack on the Kerch bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea. But the footage is being misrepresented; it shows Wigan Athletic football fans chanting: “Will Grigg’s on fire!” in 2016 about the English club’s then-striker.
Does Zelensky Live in $5.5M Mansion With Infinity Pool?
The tweet by Churchill offers no evidence that the image of a luxury property she shared belonged to Zelensky. Social media users were quick to point out that the image was taken from a real estate website for a property that was on sale for $5.5 million. It appears to be the latest unfounded accusation that Zelensky has faced that he has amassed properties around the world.
Fake: Ukraine Asks Interpol to Return those Who Flee Mobilization
Ukraine has not asked Interpol to help track down Ukrainians who are evading mobilization. There is a more compelling reason for Ukraine to work with Interpol: to bring suspected collaborators who fled Ukraine to justice.
Fake: Pope Francis Calls on Ukraine to Dismiss Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Abbot
Russian media and Telegram channels’ claims that the Pope has allegedly called on Ukrainian authorities to dismiss the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra abbot is baseless. As of today, none of the Vatican’s official resources have published anything about this.
Fake: Russia Wins All Gold Medals at Japan Physics Olympiad
The Russian team did not win all the gold medals at the international
student physics competition. In reality, Russian students won only five
gold medals out of a total o of thirty-seven.
Is This a Real Video of a Traffic Jam of People Fleeing Crimea in July 2023?
According to social media users, tourists were leaving Crimea in the aftermath of an attack on a significant bridge.
Fake: Zelensky Admits that the US Started the War in Ukraine
Ukraine’s President did not make any statements about the war in Ukraine
being started by the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky once again
emphasised that Ukraine decides on operations to de-occupy its territories
from Russian invaders.
Fake: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Icons To Be Auctioned in Paris
A French auction house representative told StopFake that a billboard
advertising the sale of Ukrainian icons from the Kyiv Monastery of the
Caves is fake, and no such an auction is planned. The Osenat website has no
auctions scheduled for October 1. Claims that the West is exporting and
selling Ukrainian artworks are Russian disinformation.
Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Performing Belly Dance In 2006 — It’s A Dancer From Argentina | Lead Stories
Did a viral video show Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy performing a belly dance on camera? No, that’s not true: The footage portrays a different person, a professional belly dance instructor from Argentina, and Zelenskyy’s face seems to have been superimposed on that person’s body.