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.
No, Ukraine didn’t release a postal stamp of a pro-Nazi soldier
Pro-Russian social media accounts have been circulating an image of what they say is a Ukrainian postage stamp showing a Ukrainian veteran who fought alongside the Nazis in World World II. It turns out, however, that this isn”t a real stamp.
Russian propaganda falsely blames Ukrainian refugees for Paris bedbug outbreak – Truth or Fake
Russian propaganda is linking the current bedbug outbreak in Paris to Ukrainian refugees. To “prove” this false narrative, pro-Russian accounts on social media are sharing fabricated French media publications from Le Figaro, Libération and Contrepoints, falsely claiming that “parasite experts believe that the bedbug epidemic in Paris is linked to the influx of Ukrainian refugees in the capital”. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Fake USA Today video reports supposed New York ‘brawl’ involving Ukrainian delegate
The video, which has USA Today’s logo and style, has been shared across multiple social media platforms.
Video does not show Zelensky bodyguard in New York brawl
Posts sharing footage of an altercation in New York purport to show a security guard to President Volodymyr Zelensky starting a bar fight, in the latest example of fabricated Western media reports spreading anti-Ukrainian messaging. USA Today, whose logo appears in the clip, told AFP it did not publish the report and both the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the bar where the incident allegedly occurred also refuted the claim.
Thousands of Ukrainian Soldiers Surrendered to Russia in Early October 2023?
Claim: In early October 2023, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers surrendered to Russia.
Rating: Unfounded
No, this stamp in tribute to a Nazi veteran was not issued by Ukraine – Truth or Fake
The Kremlin accuses Ukraine of issuing a national stamp with the face of 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a Canadian-Ukrainian soldier who served in a Nazi military unit during World War II and was wrongfully honoured in the Canadian parliament last week with a standing ovation. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Montreal unions demonstration unrelated to federal funding for Ukraine
Footage of a large demonstration in Montreal is being misrepresented in posts that claim the protesters took to the streets to voice anger over Canada’s support for Ukraine. In fact, the clip shows a march coordinated by four unions seeking higher wages in contract negotiations with the provincial government in Quebec.
Will US Continue To Pay Salaries of Ukrainian Workers If Government Shuts Down?
If the U.S. government shuts down, American civil servants will, indeed, suffer a pause in paychecks that will have been caused by a lack of action in the present congressional session. The fact that Ukrainian workers will get paid during this time period is thanks, however, to congressional action in previous sessions of Congress.
FactChecking the Second GOP Primary Debate
Christie claimed Biden said “a small invasion [of Ukraine] wouldn’t be so bad.” In a White House press conference about a month before Russia launched its attack on Ukraine, Biden said: “Russia will be held accountable” for an invasion, but the U.S. response would depend on what Russia did.
No, USA Today did not report that Zelensky’s delegate started a ‘drunken bar brawl’ – Truth or Fake
A fabricated video edited in the social media style of American media outlet USA Today claims a member of the Ukrainian delegation provoked a drunken bar fight in New York during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the US, before being detained by police. However, in this edition of Truth or Fake, Vedika Bahl uses geolocation tools to verify that the “brawl” images were filmed around 18 kilometres away from the alleged site. Both USA Today and the New York police dismissed the reports as fake.
EU decries increased disinformation posts on X
The European Union Commission has declared X (formerly known as Twitter) to have the largest ratio of misinformation posts.
Fake Zelenskyy video raises fears of AI disinfo
Social media users are claiming a video was showing Volodymyr Zelenskyy belly dancing. But the viral clip of the Ukrainian president is not genuine, it was manipulated – and shows somebody else.
Video Shows Canadian Parliament Giving Standing Ovation to Ex-Waffen SS Fighter?
True. The speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, Anthony Rota, issued a public apology, claiming he was unaware of the full extent of Hunka’s wartime affiliations when he made the acknowledgment.
Why was ‘Glory to Urine’ a top trending topic on X? – Truth or Fake
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was allegedly greeted by a Times Square billboard proclaiming “Glory to Urine”, rather than “Glory to Ukraine”, upon his visit to New York for a UN summit last week. While the users sharing this information claim that this was a typo by the billboard company, we prove that this is actually a fabricated video in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Photo of ex-Ukraine defense minister on yacht predates Russia war
Social media posts claim photos show Oleksiy Reznikov partying on a yacht in the South of France days after leaving his post as defense minister of Ukraine. This is false; the image was taken near Istanbul, Turkey, in February 2020, years prior to the war with Russia.
Claims That Ukraine Wants to Extradite Refugees Are Russian Disinformation
Various media reports originating in Ukraine and Russia are claiming that the Ukrainian government is seeking to extradite military-aged refugees and “draft dodgers” back to the country, and that Ukraine’s requests have so far been rejected by a number of its European neighbors. The reports, which are being circulated primarily by Russian government-funded media organizations RT and Sputnik, have also spread to some Western media including a viral Facebook video.
No, that’s not Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy belly dancing
The Verdict False
This video shows an Argentinian dancer Pablo Acosta and not Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Fake Times Square billboard circulates as Zelensky visits US
A video shared across social media appears to show a New York City digital billboard displaying Volodymyr Zelensky’s face and text that says, “Glory to Urine” as the Ukrainian president visited the United States in September 2023. But the clip is doctored; the company that owns the sign told AFP it has run no such message.
Fake Times Square billboard circulates as Zelensky visits US
A video shared across social media appears to show a New York City digital billboard displaying Volodymyr Zelensky’s face and text that says, “Glory to Urine” as the Ukrainian president visited the United States in September 2023. But the clip is doctored; the company that owns the sign told AFP it has run no such message.
Fake Video of ‘Glory to Urine’ New York Billboard Fools Internet
On Sept. 21, 2023, the phrase “Glory to Urine” became one of the top trending U.S. topics on X (formerly Twitter). The phrase was trending thanks to a fake video that allegedly showed a billboard in New York City’s Manhattan with the same three words, supposedly as an accidentally misspelled welcome message for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He had been in town for the United Nations General Assembly.