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.
Manipulation: Ukraine Will Join the EU Only in 20 to 30 Years
In an interview with five European publications, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she cannot say exactly when Ukraine will join the EU, as the time frame depends on two factors, internal EU processes and the progress of reforms in Ukraine. At the same time, von der Leyen emphasized that in the long run, Ukraine and the Balkans “cannot but integrate into the EU.”
Was Russian Soldier Blown Up Bashing Tank With Artillery Shell?
The video shared on Twitter has been edited. The explosion seen in the film is a video effect, available on TikTok.
The original video, which has been shared on other social media for at least seven months, shows the soldier using the shell to hammer a component into the tank before turning and smiling at a group behind him.
Fake: Zaluzhny Calls Ukraine’s Counteroffensive a Clown show
The Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny did not say
that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had turned into a clown show. He only
emphasized that despite the lack of crucial weapons and equipment, the
Ukrainian military are gaining ground every day.
Is RFK Jr. Right That U.S. Has Sent $113 Billion to Ukraine?
While Congress has allocated $113 billion worth of spending toward Ukraine, analysis of that spending shows that a significant proportion will not go directly to Kyiv.
Analysis by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks U.S. spending in Ukraine, has suggested the total direct spend to be around $77 billion.
Did RFK Jr. Use Russian Photo in Campaign Ad?
The photo used in the Kennedy campaign ad is from a picture used to help illustrate designs for online stores. The same retouched photo has been used by multiple online outlets.
While Newsweek was unable to find the location of the store, it does appear to have been shot in Russia or a Russian-speaking region.
However, there is no suggestion the choice of the photo was deliberate and is far likelier to have been an oversight of the RFK Jr. campaign team. Other photos the campaign has used for its merchandise were also shot in other locations around the world.
Did the Head of the Wagner Group Write a Children’s Book?
Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenary force launched a brief rebellion in Russia in June 2023.
Did Zelenskyy Say There Would Be No Elections in Ukraine Until War Ends?
The Ukrainian Constitution does not allow for elections when martial law is imposed.
Concert video predates Russian mercenary uprising
Tweets claim a video shows a crowd joyfully reacting to the Wagner Group’s short-lived mutiny in Russia. But the clip is old; it first circulated on Telegram in February 2023 and shows a private concert that a Russian online retailer organized for its staff.
These videos do not show clashes between the Wagner Group and Russian forces
In the aftermath of the armed rebellion attempt by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group against the Russian army command on Saturday June 24, people began sharing images online purporting to show the two sides fighting. But at least two of these videos were taken from the video game Arma 3 – and it’s not the first time this military video game has been used to spread misinformation.
Manipulation: UN Accuses Ukrainian Security Forces of Torturing Civilians
The UN report on the detention of civilians during Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine focuses mainly on the atrocities committed by the Russian military on the territory of Ukraine. The report documents more than 900 cases of arbitrary detention of civilians, including children and the elderly. The “vast majority” of these cases were committed by the Russian Federation. Moreover, executions committed by Russian troops are equated with a war crime. No such executions have been recorded on the Ukrainian side.
Fake: Relatives of a Deceased Soldier Booed
The relatives of the deceased Ukrainian soldier were not booed. The video
where screams could be heard was taken at a protest near the Resurrection
Church in the city of Krasyliv. The memorial service for the deceased
Ukrainian soldier was held in the same city, but in the Holy Trinity Church
of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Chinese influencer impersonates Russian soldier using deepfake filter – Truth or Fake
An man posing as “Paul Kochadie” fooled over 400,000 followers on his Douyin account (TikTok’s equivalent in China) by using artificial intelligence to pretend to be a Russian soldier on the Ukrainian frontline. This man, who sent “daily” updates about the war in Ukraine, was neither Russian nor a soldier, but instead a resident of Henan, China. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Fact check: Do these videos show Wagner battles in Russia?
The world held its breath as Wagner forces advanced on Moscow and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, seemed to challenge President Vladimir Putin. Many videos claim to show clashes between both sides, but not all are real.
Fake: Zelenskyy Refused to Hold Elections And Seized Power in Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not refuse to hold elections in Ukraine. The Constitution of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law” expressly prohibit holding any elections to the executive and legislative branches of government during wartime.
Fake: US Should Pay Reparations to Ukraine
Russian aggression is aimed at Ukraine, not the so-called “collective West.” And since this war has nothing to do with the West, the damage to the Ukrainian economy and the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure is solely Russia’s responsibility, having launched an unprovoked, large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
These images don’t show confrontations between Wagner group and Russian army – Truth or Fake
Some users on social media are sharing extremely realistic video game footage, claiming that it’s real-life images coming out of the Wagner group rebellion this weekend. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.
Fake: Ukrainians Сriticize Passengers of Sunken Titan Bathyscraper Says Al Jazeera
The international television company Al Jazeera denied the information that this story was created by its correspondents. A spokesperson for the TV company said that the video, as well as the information in it, is fake and was fabricated by a third party.
Manipulation: Amid Huge Losses Ukraine Regions Begin General Mobilization
Martial law and general mobilization continue in Ukraine. The orders from individual territorial recruitment centers is not something new, their purpose is to re-notify persons liable for military service for further reporting to the recruitment centers.
Manipulation: Kyiv is Among Top 10 Worst Cities to Live In
The drop in Kyiv’s rating is not due to the rule of Zelenskyy and Klitschko, but to the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Economist study notes that Kyiv’s score has dropped by 5.9 percentage points compared to 2021 because “its stability and infrastructure damaged by the war.” In 2022, The Economist was forced to remove Kyiv from the ranking altogether due to the hostilities in the Kyiv region.
Has Zelensky Announced ‘Full General Mobilization’ of Ukraine?
Misleading Material. General mobilization and martial law have been imposed in Ukraine since day one of Russia’s invasion.
The document being shared on social media by pro-Kremlin accounts does not call for another general mobilization of the country but is a local order for residents to update their information, and for authorities to track and keep record of eligibility.