This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that, allegedly because of the failed medical reforms, the anti-epidemic control system has completely degraded and is not able to cope with infectious diseases that can flare up after the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. The authors add that Ukraine does not care about its people, but leaves them to the mercy of fate.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project investigated this case and found out that at the beginning of July 2023, not a single case of infection with cholera, botulism, hepatitis A or other infectious diseases associated with the consequences of flooding was recorded in Ukraine. At the same time, the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Ihor Kuzin spoke about a number of regular measures to combat cholera and about the innovations that were introduced after the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant was blown up by the Russians. To counter the outbreak of infectious diseases in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson regions, 38 water monitoring points were opened. Also, in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the centers for disease control and prevention have been transferred to a special response mode.

That is, the Ukrainian medical system, on the contrary, responds to the challenges caused by flooding. Propagandists are trying to intimidate people, convincing them that they were supposedly left to their fate.

The propaganda tactic of “whataboutism” involves responding to criticism or asking a question in the format “What about ...?”. That is, “transfer of arrows” to the shortcomings of opponents. A hint that they have no moral right to criticize, because they themselves have the same or even more serious problems, and do not adhere to the principles that they publicly declare. It is based on the logical flaw “Te quoque” (“you are the same” or “look at yourself”).

Despite the English name, this tactic, like many other methods of propaganda and disinformation, was popularized by the Russians. Back around the 1880s, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire thus defended itself from moral condemnations from the United States. But whataboutism was most widespread in the 1970s and 1980s during the apogee of the Cold War.

For example, after the Chornobyl disaster, the Soviet state news agency TASS wrote reports about accidents at nuclear facilities in the United States, such as the Three Mile Island and Jinnah nuclear power plants. Soviet propagandists claimed that the American anti-nuclear group recorded 2300 accidents and other malfunctions in 1979. In the USSR, there was even an anecdote that very well reveals the essence of this tactic:

- What is the salary of a Soviet engineer?

- But you [the racist name for African Americans] get lynched!

Indeed, acts of violence against African Americans during the US Civil Rights Movement of 1955-1968 became one of the key messages of Soviet propaganda whataboutism.

Like many other “beautiful treasures of the Soviet past”, modern Russian propagandists and officials systematically use this tactic.

Russian political viewer Abbas Galliamov, who is in opposition to the Putin regime, wrote in 2021 after watching Putin’s press conference: “Putin’s whataboutism is already quite grotesque. Sobchak asks him about torture in the FSIN system [the penitentiary system], and he first of all begins to prove that they also torture in Europe. And at what here Europe? But no, it seems that Europe matters”.

In response to criticism of its own aggressive actions, including the ongoing aggressive war against Ukraine since 2014, Russian propaganda mentions NATO operations in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The fact that they were carried out against misanthropic dictatorships engaged in ethnic cleansing and international terrorist networks does not bother the propagandists. The well-known Russian propaganda narrative about “8 years and the children of Donbas” also refers to “whataboutism”.

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that Ukraine is “spreading” Nazism throughout Europe, so monuments to Nazis have begun to be erected there. The authors are sure that Ukraine is inciting the West to create an organization that can destroy Belarusians and Russians.

The case was worked out by analysts from the EU vs Disinfo project, who explain that none of these themes is true: neither about monuments, nor about “Nazi organizations”. The myth of Nazi Europe was used by the Kremlin after Russia attacked Ukraine and illegally annexed Crimea back in 2014. Thus, Moscow is still trying to become a victim, which allegedly suffers at the hands of Western leaders. Like, “Nazi” Ukraine is supported by the same “Nazis”.

In support of the thesis about “European Nazi organizations”, propagandists cite the situation when Estonia allegedly banned Russians and Belarusians from using weapons on their territory. In fact, in the country, permits for the issuance of weapons will become invalid for citizens who are not members of the EU and NATO. The changes will affect not only ethnic Russians or Belarusians living in Estonia. Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets assured that the restriction is a direct consequence of unprovoked Russian aggression in Ukraine. That is, any restrictions concerning Russians or Belarusians are labeled by Moscow as "Nazi". However, this is only a response to Russian aggression.

This was recorded by the fact-checkers of the Beyond the News project. They say that fake fundraising ads are being created on Facebook, which are allegedly launched by Ukrainian commanders. Unknown individuals publish ads (in this case, an account with the nickname Nataliia Shumakova). They are accompanied by photographic evidence. And they are adding the “story” of the fighter, trying to play on the emotions of social network users.

The fact-checkers explained that in this way the scammers simply defrauded people of money by creating an emotional text about the Ukrainian military. After all, scammers play on feelings of compassion and guilt. Attackers often provide personal phones and bank cards in such cases. However, the absence of references to official representatives of volunteer communities may hint at the falsity of such an announcement.

In social networks, in particular in the Russian segment of telegram channels, information was spread about the alleged burning of Bulgarian flags by Ukrainians in Kyiv. The authors add that the Ukrainians are killing different peoples, and this was one of the reasons for the full-scale invasion. Video evidence is also added to the publications.

Fact-checkers of the StopFake project investigated this case and found out that the incident with the burning of the flag of Bulgaria did indeed occur. However, not in Ukraine and not with the participation of Ukrainians. That is, this video has nothing to do with Ukraine. The incident took place in Macedonia in 2021 during a mass event. Bulgarian media are covering information about the act of vandalism over their flag. However, the checkers add the fact that one of the incidents with the Bulgarian flag did occur in Kyiv. In 2015, the then President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, arrived in Kyiv on an official visit. The capital was previously decorated with Ukrainian and Bulgarian flags. Subsequently, during the night, unidentified people tore down the flag of Bulgaria and tore it up. But during the investigation it turned out that people mistook the flag of Bulgaria for Russian. This, as the detainee explained, was the only reason for the act of vandalism. That is, we are not talking about hatred for the Bulgarians or the desire to destroy them as a nation.

Propagandists are trying to portray Ukrainians as haters towards other cultures, religions or peoples. Thus, they demonize them and justify a large-scale invasion of Ukrainian lands. Allegedly, Ukrainians don't seem to respect anyone. Propagandists are trying to portray Ukrainians as haters towards other cultures, religions or peoples. Thus, they demonize them and justify a large-scale invasion of Ukrainian lands. Like, Ukrainians don't seem to respect anyone.

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say the humor magazine recently ran a cover featuring Volodymyr Zelenskyi being punched in a boxing ring. Allegedly, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg do this. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation investigated this case and found out  that such a cover does not exist. They explained that on the official website of the publication, the last available issue came out at number 375. And the number 376 is indicated on the fake cover.

Thus propagandists seek to show that their rhetoric is also being repeated in the West. So readers can get the impression that the whole world is opposed to Ukraine.