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: “Portrait of Petliura Hangs Instead of Icon” in UOCC Church | StopFake
Representatives of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Andrew in Toronto have denied claims that a portrait of Symon Petliura hangs in the sanctuary or that the Ukrainian historical figure is being honoured as a “saint”. The portrait of Petliura is in a parish hall, not on the altar, and is therefore not an icon. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC) is an independent church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is not a parish of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
Fake: 87.3% of Women Who Fled Ukraine Filed for Divorce | StopFake
This information is not true. Ukraine’s Justice Ministry has not published such statistics. According to the department, the number of divorces has overall increased in the country, but not so drastically.
Clip does not show Zelenskyy performing comedy routine for Putin – Full Fact
What was claimed: A video shows Russian president Vladimir Putin laughing with his face in his hands during a comedy routine in which Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears to play the piano with his penis, before he became president of Ukraine.
Our verdict: False. These two clips are from different events and have been edited together to misleadingly make it appear as if President Putin was in the audience for the routine.
German news outlet did not report Russian spies had US defence secretary’s phone number – Full Fact
What was claimed: According to Der Spiegel, German intelligence have just arrested two suspected Russia spies who had US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s private phone number in their mobiles.
Our verdict: A spokesperson for Der Spiegel confirmed it did not publish such a story.
Elaborate Prince Harry disinfo push aims for mass media confusion | AAP
WHAT WAS CLAIMED: A BBC report reveals a Russian missile victim who met Prince Harry is a fraud.
OUR VERDICT: False. The BBC report is fake and the boy is a genuine victim of a Russian missile attack.
Fake: Hotline for Complaints About “Loud Ukrainian Refugees” Set Up Lisbon | StopFake
There is no evidence that such ads were posted in Lisbon.
Fake: Olena Zelenska Bought Princess Diana’s Dress for $2.9 Million | StopFake
The story by the British tabloid The Sun on this topic is fabricated, and the comment by a royal expert in it is taken from an old video on a completely different topic.
Fake: Zelensky Was the Last Who Pope Francis Spoke To – Ukrainian Media | StopFake
In reality, the Ukrainian media did not report such information, and the “debunking” publication on Politico is fabricated.
Fake: Zelensky Will Force Partners to Pay for Disposing Obsolete Military Equipment They Gave Ukraine | StopFake
This whole news is made up. Zelensky has never made such statements, and the text itself is full of logical errors.
Fake: Cardinal Faskifo Promised to Seize All of Putin’s Assets in Vatican Bank if Elected Pope | StopFake
No such cardinal exists, and his photo was generated by artificial intelligence. In addition, the Vatican Bank does not hold accounts for governments, foreign individuals or clients unrelated to the Catholic Church or the Holy See.
Fake: In Ukraine, Men Run Away from Military Conscription with Easter Baskets – Video | StopFake
There is no evidence in the video of the presence of the TCC, military personnel or document checks. In fact, the ‘Easter races’ are a regional tradition: it is believed that the first person to return home after church will have good luck and prosperity on their land for the next year.
Fake: Head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church Claims Pope Died for Supporting Russia | StopFake
On the contrary, Metropolitan Epiphanius expressed his sincere condolences on the Pope’s death, noting that Pope Francis had dedicated his life to serving God, spreading the Christian faith and launching numerous humanitarian initiatives to help those in need.
A Fox livestream news report labeled Kyiv a Russian city. Here’s what we know | Snopes.com
Claim: A Fox News broadcast labeled Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine) a Russian city on Easter 2025.
Rating: Mostly true.
What’s True: The mistake appeared on LiveNOW from Fox, a news service delivered by Fox Television Stations.
What’s False: However, while LiveNOW from Fox and Fox News are both part of the Fox Corporation, they are not interchangeable nor run by the same business within the corporation.
Russian fake news content targeting Ukraine president’s wife spreads online | AAP
WHAT WAS CLAIMED: The BBC reported on a foiled attempt by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s wife Olena to flee Ukraine.
OUR VERDICT: False. The news report is fake and is believed to be part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
Fake: Volodymyr Zelensky Adressed Ukrainians on Easter in English Only | StopFake
The fragment of the greeting that is being shared online was created specifically for a foreign audience. The president congratulated Ukrainians in state language.
Fake: Ukrainians Arrested in Israel for Planning Terror Attack in Jerusalem | StopFake
The Israeli police have not reported the arrest of Ukrainians for preparing a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Nor has the Times of Israel, the multilingual online Israeli newspaper quoted by the propagandists, published any video containing such information.
Fake: Ukraine Covered Up ‘Assassination Attempt on US President’
Ukraine has no connection to the attempted assassination of US President Donald Trump by American citizen Ryan Root. The only link between Root and Ukraine is that he allegedly tried to buy a rocket launcher and a surface-to-air missile from someone he believed to be a Ukrainian arms dealer. However, it remains unclear whether this seller was in fact a Ukrainian citizen. Root also communicated with other illegal arms dealers in the US, as well as smugglers from Mexico who allegedly helped him escape the country after the attempt on Trump’s life. According to court documents, Root had no links to the Ukrainian government or military leadership.
Fact Check: BBC-branded video on Ukraine’s first lady seeking asylum is a fake report
A video assembled to look like a BBC report about Ukraine’s first lady seeking political asylum has been shared by social media users but is a fake, a spokesperson for the outlet has said.
The video mimics the British broadcaster’s formatting for visual reports on social media, with multiple uses of its logo, red and white branding, and familiar typeface.
Fake: Prince Harry Met with a Boy Injured in a Fire, Set by a Drunk Mother – Ukraine Tried to Pass Him Off as a War Victim
BBC News did not release such a story. The boy in the photo is named Roman Oleksiv – he received burns as a result of a Russian missile strike on Vinnytsia in 2022.
Fake: Ukrainian POW Forced to Sign Posthumous Organ Donation Consent by Commander
The document in the photo is a consent form for legal posthumous organ donation in the province of Ontario, Canada. Only Canadian citizens or those who have permanent residence, as well as state health insurance, can apply for donation. Most likely, the propagandists simply downloaded the form from the Internet.