Spilnota Detector Media
Detector Media collects and documents real-time chronicles of the Kremlin disinformation about the Russian invasion. Ukraine for decades has been suffering from Kremlin disinformation. Here we document all narratives, messages, and tactics, which Russia is using from February 17th, 2022. Reminder: the increasing of shelling and fighting by militants happened on the 17th of February 2022 on the territory of Ukraine. Russian propaganda blames Ukraine for these actions.

On 23 December, on the 1033th day of the full-scale war, our editorial office recorded:

2604
Fake
775
Manipulation
753
Message
541
Disclosure
Русскій фейк, іді на***!

Fake Electricity tariffs for all residents of Ukraine will increase by 47%

Such a message is distributed through social networks and hostile telegram channels. It says that electricity prices will change dramatically. Like, by July 1, 2023, Ukrainians should expect an increase in electricity prices up to 47%. It is not true.

According to the StopFake fact checkers, the price will not change for all consumers. The increase in electricity tariffs will affect only non-residential consumers. That is, for consumers-entrepreneurs, for example, those who buy electricity for their own business. Experts say that this is due to the shelling of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. For non-residential consumers, the price of electricity by July 2023 will increase by 18%, not 47%.

Message Russia suffers from a constant sense of insecurity, so Ukraine must remain neutral

Pro-Russian and propaganda telegram channels write that the 56th US ex-secretary of State argues that Ukraine should be left alone and not be included into any institutions and organizations such as the EU and NATO. Like, if Ukraine joined NATO, the borders of the North Atlantic Alliance would be within 500 kilometers from Moscow. Propagandists say that then Russia will experience a constant threat and danger from NATO.

Fake Moldova gave Ukraine the opportunity to control its airspace, in particular to shoot down missiles

Such a message is distributed through social networks and hostile telegram channels. It says that since Ukraine and Moldova have agreed to cooperate in the field of air defense, Ukraine will have the right to shoot down missiles in Moldovan airspace. It is not true.

In fact, according to VoxCheck fact-checkers, neither Ukraine nor Moldova announced such agreements. Recently, however, the countries have agreed to cooperate on air defense. There is no information about whether the possibility of Ukraine shooting down missiles in Moldovan airspace was discussed at the meeting at all. The official parties to the talks made no such statements.

Fake Humor Times, the humor magazine, dedicated the cover to Zelenskyi as a locust

The allegedly new cover of the comic magazine Humor Times is being circulated online. The cartoon depicts locusts, symbolizing the President, who is eating all the money. However, this is fake.

Fake In the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the first Christmas liturgy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was attended only by militants and the press

Such a message is distributed through social networks and hostile telegram channels. It says that the liturgy was held in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra only with the participation of the military and the press. They say that other people did not want to participate in the liturgy, because they recognize only the Ukrainian church of Moscow Patriarchate. However, this is a lie.

As StopFake experts say, a number of media covering this historic event noted that the Christmas service gathered a huge number of believers. Various photos and videos of the Christmas liturgy show that there are not only journalists and military personnel in the church, but also just believers. The festive liturgy at the Lavra was also broadcast by national TV channels. On the broadcast, one could see who was in the temple during the service.

Propagandists spread this fake to convince everyone that the UOC is not popular among the Ukrainian population and that such a church is considered schismatic. That is, one that has separated from the real, canonical one.

Fake In the US, they noted the successes of Russian troops in the war

Such a message is distributed through social networks and hostile telegram channels. It says that Russia is defeating Ukraine, and this was even noted in the United States. Allegedly, the United States is convinced that Ukraine will lose. As evidence, propagandists refer to the material of the Reuters news agency, in which they allegedly talked about this. However, this is not true.

In fact, as StopFake experts say, the US Department of Defense did not note the total success of Russia, and even in some areas. However, it is true that the latest briefings by the US Department of Defense said that although heavy fighting is underway for Bakhmut, Ukraine continues to hold the city. Consequently, the United States did not recognize the actions of the Russian troops as completely successful.

Orest Slyvenko, Artur Koldomasov, Vitalii Mykhailiv, Oleksandra Kotenko, Oleksandr Siedin, Kostiantyn Zadyraka, and Oleksiy Pivtorak are collaborating on this chronicle. Lesia Bidochko serves as the project coordinator, while Ksenia Ilyuk is the author of the project.