An allegedly advertising video from the mobile operator Vodafone dedicated to the new “Hero Phone Number” memorial campaign is being circulated online. According to the advertisement, Vodafone will start selling the phone numbers of fallen heroes for $100 to raise funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It's a lie.

Fact-checkers of the StopFake project analyzed the content and determined that the video was fake. Vodafone has never published such a video on its channels, which it confirmed to the Center for Countering Disinformation.

In addition, in the summer of 2023, the Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov reported that the phone numbers of dead and missing defenders would not be sold for two years.

According to the standard procedure, this period is one year. But, as Fedorov explained, “usually after a year without use, the number goes on free sale - this way you can receive the message “Your loved one has joined Viber” when he is no longer alive”. The initiative was supported by Ukrainian mobile operators.