Russian media write that “EU politicians have begun to aggressively suppress freedom of speech”, allegedly trying to suppress Russian “resistance movements”.

StopFake fact-checkers explained that the disinformation message is based on a number of measures and resolutions of the European Parliament aimed at limiting the scale of Russian influence ahead of the European elections on June 6-9, 2024.

Russian media are trying to denigrate two European Parliament resolutions of February 8 and April 25, 2024 - both documents report a number of identified cases of bribery of European officials by the Kremlin in order to interfere in democratic processes in the European Union.

Indeed, according to investigations, Moscow recruits some members of the European Parliament and other European institutions as “agents of influence”, and also finances certain European political parties, which then act as mouthpieces for Russian propaganda, promoting Russian interests in the EU.

Information is being disseminated online, allegedly due to a lack of qualified personnel, the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center is forced to hire veterinarians. As proof of publication, they add a photo to a specialist who allegedly gives conclusions about the liability and photographs of the “office” as in one of the Kyiv Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center .

VoxCheck analysts analyzed the case and explained that a situation where a Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center  hired a veterinarian instead of a doctor is impossible. A Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center does not engage in hiring medical workers at all to conduct military medical examinations.

Military medical commissions for those liable for military service are formed due to the involvement of doctors from civilian health care institutions.

And the propagandists took the photo from the website of the Lassie veterinary clinic - they probably took a photo of the office door with the Surgeon sign.

Russian propaganda telegram channels are spreading information that Poltava police have allegedly created a sample statement of apology for citizens listening to Russian music. In particular, it says the following: “I sincerely apologize to the citizens of Ukraine for listening to a Russian song. I condemn Russian aggression and am ready to be punished to the fullest extent of the law”. Propagandists add a photo of the corresponding “statement” as proof.

However, this is a primitive fake. The main department of the National Police in the Poltava region denied this news. This is reported by VoxCheck. In addition, a reverse photo search on Google showed that images with the “statement” are mostly distributed by Russian publications and telegram channels. Also in the text of the forgiveness they use the expression “to apologize”, which is uncharacteristic for the Ukrainian language, whereas the correct way to write it is “to ask for forgiveness, to apologize”.

In June 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law banning Russian music in Ukrainian media and public space, but it does not provide for a specific fine. In August 2023, a bill was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to establish fines for the use of songs or videos of banned Russian performers in trade, public catering and service establishments in the amount of 5,100 to 7,500 UAH. Repeated violation will be punishable by a fine of 17,000 UAH. This bill is at the familiarization stage.

Deputies of the Servant of the People party allegedly adopted a law on the dismissal of workers with “connections” in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia. They say that this norm will now be used as a reason for dismissal if the employer simply “does not like” the employee.

However, this information is not true. Specialists from the VoxCheck project write about this. In April 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No. 7731, which amends the Labor Code of Ukraine, and sent it to the president for signing. The purpose of such changes is to prevent collaborators from working at enterprises, institutions and organizations of strategic importance for the economy and security of Ukraine, as well as at critical infrastructure facilities.

Therefore, according to this law, employees must inform the employer about connections with persons who are registered or reside in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and Russia. However, on May 16, 2024, Volodymyr Zelenskyi returned bill No. 7731 to the Verkhovna Rada.

Earlier, eight human rights organizations approached the president with a request to veto the law, calling such a rule “the basis for harassment and stigmatization of those who have relatives in the occupation, and people who are still registered but have traveled abroad”. That is, the relevant law has not yet been finalized and entered into force. In addition, according to the law, an employee who has not reported his connections to the TOT can be fired only if he or she  works in institutions of strategic importance for the economy and security of Ukraine.