Source type Analysis

Tweets distort Biden’s comments on tanks, Ukraine and World War III

President Joe Biden announced on Jan. 25, 2023, that the U.S. is sending 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Earlier in the war, almost a year ago, Biden said, "The idea that we're going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews, just understand … that's called 'World War III.'"

A widely shared meme shortened Biden's quote to make it appear as if he said sending tanks alone to Ukraine would cause World War III.

A meme shared in a tweet claimed that in March, Biden said, "The idea that we're going to send in tanks to Ukraine, that's called World War III." Biden announced the U.S. will be sending M1 Abrams tanks about 10 months later.

The quote is edited to leave out the full context of Biden's comments. He said the U.S. would not be sending offensive equipment and planes, tanks and trains with U.S. pilots and crews.

We rate the claim False.

February 2, 2023

Military aid President Biden Escalation / WWIII Media taken out of context Fact checks / debunkings USA Methods Narratives Misconceptions Ukraine Russia Aid to Ukraine International community

U.S. spending in Afghanistan dwarfs aid to Ukraine

Congress has approved about $111 billion in aid to Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

During a 20-year entanglement in Afghanistan, the U.S. spent between $825 billion and $2.3 trillion, depending on the source of the estimate and what's being included.

Even taking the lower estimate of $825 billion, the U.S. would have spent $714 billion more in Afghanistan than in aid to Ukraine.

We rate the claim that the amount the U.S. has spent in Ukraine is "double the U.S. expenditure for its own war in Afghanistan" False.

January 27, 2023

Disinformation Military aid Aid oversight Fact checks / debunkings USA Misconceptions Ukraine Aid to Ukraine International community

FACT CHECK: Did NATO Undertake ‘Operation Justice’ To Intervene In Ukraine? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence NATO has undertaken âOperation Justice.â Check Your Fact has previously debunked claims that NATO is intervening in Ukraine.

January 26, 2023

Disinformation Military aid NATO Escalation / WWIII Fact checks / debunkings Narratives Misconceptions Ukraine Aid to Ukraine International community

FACT CHECK: Did ‘Dozens’ Of Russian Ships Leave The Black Sea? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence that the Russian Navy has retreated from any body of water. The Ukrainian Navy has reported that several Russian ships remain in the Black Sea.

January 26, 2023

Fact checks / debunkings Misconceptions Ukraine Russia

Fabricated story falsely claims Vladimir Putin destroyed an adrenochrome lab in Ukraine

This story was fabricated. It appeared on Real Raw News, a site that regularly publishes false, fantastical stories authored by someone using a pseudonym.

Real Raw News stories are authored by someone using a pseudonym and the site has a disclaimer saying it contains "humor, parody and satire," though the author has defended his stories as truth.

We found no credible news reports or other sources to corroborate the claims in this post.

QAnon promotes a number of conspiracy theories that invoke pedophilia and a Democratic cabal. QAnon adherents were present during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These ideas also infiltrated political discourse as recently as the 2022 midterm elections.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!

January 25, 2023

Antisemitism Blood libel Children Russian propaganda Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings Putin Narrative: Oppression, "Genocide" vs Russian-speakers Narratives Misconceptions Satire taken seriously Child trafficking Organ farming Russia Protected groups & minorities Hatred and bigotry

Mexico: Visa requirements for Russians haven’t been eliminated | AP News

CLAIM: Mexico is planning to soon eliminate visa requirements for Russian nationals seeking to enter the country.

AP'S ASSESSMENT: Missing context. Mexico's ambassador to Russia says discussions between the two nations about mutually dropping visa requirements have been ongoing for years, but no agreement has been finalized. Eduardo Villegas MegÃas, Mexico's ambassador to Russia, says there's been no movement in the talks as Mexico remains neutral in Russia's war in Ukraine.

January 25, 2023

Disinformation Fact-checking tools Russian propaganda Fact check websites General Media taken out of context Fact checks / debunkings Faked news reports Resources Media formats Text Methods Misconceptions Context Russia Protected groups & minorities International community Mexico

FACT CHECK: Did Ukraine Kill 12 Generals In A Single Day With HIMARS? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: Misleading
Ukraine did not kill 12 generals in a single day, though they claimed the deaths of several Russian officers in December 2022.

January 11, 2023

Military aid Fact checks / debunkings USA Misconceptions Ukraine Russia Aid to Ukraine International community

FACT CHECK: Did This Satirical Magazine Feature An Image Of Zelenskyy Stealing From Jesus? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
The image is digitally fabricated. There is no evidence that Charlie Hebdo published this cover.

January 2, 2023

Religion Disinformation Antisemitism Faked publications: billboards ads magazines etc Attacks on religion Fact checks / debunkings AI-generated / doctored images Volodymyr Zelenskyy Methods Misconceptions Ukraine War crimes Hatred and bigotry

FACT CHECK: Were Thousands Of Children Rescued From A Biden-Owned Property In Ukraine? | Check Your Fact

Verdict: False
There is no evidence suggesting any children have been rescued from Bidenâs properties. There is also no evidence suggesting Biden himself owns any properties in Ukraine.

December 9, 2022

Corruption Children President Biden Coordinated disinformation Fact checks / debunkings USA Narratives Outrageous luxuries Misconceptions Child trafficking Ukraine Organ farming Protected groups & minorities International community

U.S. Aid to Ukraine, Explained

When asked whether Republicans would “make it more difficult” for Congress to approve Ukrainian aid, Rep. Mike Turner criticized the $40 billion package enacted in May, saying: “We don’t need to pass $40 billion large Democrat bills ... to send $8 billion to Ukraine.” Much more than that, however, was allocated for military support.

December 2, 2022

Military aid Aid oversight Fact checks / debunkings USA Misconceptions Ukraine Aid to Ukraine