Latest articles

August 8, 2023
August 10, 2023

Flawed poll claims 55% of Americans oppose further US aid to Ukraine

A review of CNN's data shows that their poll violates multiple best practices. The numbers presented likely do not reflect a true shift in American public opinion as claimed. This is backed up by multiple polls taken in the same period that show no such change in US opinions on aid for Ukraine.

Aid to Ukraine Misconceptions Ukraine

August 1, 2023
September 7, 2023

Is Ukraine’s counteroffensive “stuck”, or just a slow starter? It’s way too soon to tell.

As of the time of writing (August 1, 2023), it far too soon to judge the ultimate success of Ukraine's current counteroffensive. Anyone making confident predictions at this point in time is just guessing. As unsatisfying as it might be, we will just have to wait and see.

Counteroffensive 2023 Misconceptions Ukraine

Illustration of a hand putting a ballot into a ballot box.

July 23, 2023
August 16, 2023

No, Zelensky hasn’t “canceled” Ukrainian elections

Accusations have circulated on social media that President Zelensky of Ukraine has cancelled elections in Ukraine, and extended martial law in order to remain in power. In fact, holding elections now, under wartime conditions, would almost guarantee another Zelensky victory. It would also be illegal under Ukrainian laws that predate Zelensky's time in power.

Democracy Disinformation Elections Misconceptions Russian propaganda Ukraine

July 10, 2023
July 10, 2023

Deadly Kramatorsk missile was Russian – not Ukrainian

On June 28, 2023, a Russian missile hit a crowded restaurant in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk. 13 people died in this attack, including at least 3 children and a leading Ukrainian poet and author (as of July 3). As with pretty much every major strike on civilians, to add insult to injury, false stories immediately began being circulated by pro-Russian influencers online.

Attacks on civilians Disinformation Russian propaganda Ukraine War crimes

The word "Fake" appears in red letters on top of a screenshot of a social media post, which describes so-called baby factories supposedly discovered in Ukraine.

July 9, 2023
July 29, 2023

Fake news: No evidence of ‘baby factories’ in Ukraine

Sick: BBC's fact-checking team have traced false claims of "baby factories" in Ukraine back to a notorious online hoax factory. "Who would possibly lie about something like that?" you might reasonably ask yourself. Depressingly, we have the answer to that question.

Blood libel Children Disinformation Russian propaganda

July 9, 2023
July 10, 2023

No, weapons for Ukraine were not used in French riots

A false rumor on Twitter has been traced by the BBC back to pro-Kremlin propaganda channels. The deliberately misleading Twitter post falsely claims that weapons possibly among those sent to Ukraine were used against police in the recent riots in France (summer 2023). The attached image shows a fabricated “screenshot” of a non-existent news article.

Aid to Ukraine Corruption Disinformation Misconceptions Russian propaganda