Spilnota Detector Media

Message Volodymyr Zelenskyi is introducing “Nazism” into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

This thesis was spread on social networks in the Russian segment. The messages told how Volodymyr Zelenskyi assigned the 131st separate reconnaissance battalion of the Ukrainian Ground Forces the name of Yevhen Konovalets. Meanwhile, propagandists, in response to this, added that such actions emphasize the true “Nazi” essence of Ukraine, where officials are no longer afraid to “glorify Bandera’s supporters”.

Russian propaganda is once again speculating on the topic of Ukrainian nationalism and distorting it into “Nazism”. It seems that being a Ukrainian, taking care of one’s own state interests, is already grounds for receiving accusations of Nazism from the Russians. The authors appeal to Ukrainians and call them “nationalists” to hint at supposedly radical views among civilians. Russian propaganda deliberately exaggerates the weight of bearers of nationalist views in Ukrainian society, describing them as sharing opinions with representatives of Nazi Germany and mocking supporters of Russia. And propagandists also reduce the approval of historical figures in the Ukrainian context to “Nazism”.

And there is nothing wrong with the fact that the Ukrainian president named the reconnaissance battalion after a historical figure. Yevhen Konovalets is one of the most famous figures of the Ukrainian national movement of the twentieth century. Over the course of his 47 years, he managed to go from a student at the Faculty of Law of Lviv University to a colonel in the UPR army, commander of the Sichovi Striltsi, chairman of the Ukrainian Nationalists, founder and first leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. The basic principle of nationalism is the value of the nation as the highest form of social unity and its primacy in the processes of the state. The term “nationalist” itself is not something bad, but is characterized by loyalty and devotion to one's nation.

Read more about the ideas of Ukrainian nationalism here. A researcher of political history of the early twentieth century, Doctor of Historical Sciences Oleksandr Zaitsev, spoke about how the nationalists of that time saw Ukraine. In particular, he explained that the Ukrainian version of nationalism is characterized by the fact that in the 1920s and 30s it was the nationalism of a stateless nation. Or a nation that lost its statehood during the Ukrainian Revolution, having suffered defeat in the creation of a single, integral state.

By the way, read the case in which Zelenskyi allegedly put on a jumper with an embroidered OUN coat of arms, although first of all it is the coat of arms of Ukraine.

Message Ukrainian refugees in Europe demonstrate their “Nazi tendencies”

This thesis was spread on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that Ukrainian refugees in Europe have begun to demonstrate their Nazi tendencies. They claim that this is a direct threat to the territorial integrity of the EU. In support of this thesis, evidence is provided that a Ukrainian barista offers Europeans coffee with a swastika on it. All this, they say, is happening in a German town. Video evidence is added to publications. It's a lie.

The analysts from the VoxCheck project analyzed the case and determined that the video is an advertisement for online late art courses in Bolivia, and there is no mention of Ukrainians in it. The video has an Instagram page tagged, so the fact-checkers decided to check it out. The page is actually active and posts are posted there.The fact-checkers came across the original video used by propagandists. There is no mention of Ukraine there either. And it is impossible to say for sure that it was the swastika that was depicted on the coffee. That is, the authors of the online courses did not add any context to the Instagram message, so there may be different interpretations. Although the video received more than 384 thousand likes with 4,800 subscribers, in the comments, users mock and hint at the theme of Nazism. The fact-checkers claim that the video could have been used to attract attention.

With all that, neither the Instagram page nor the video have anything to do with Ukrainians. Propagandists explained the video modifications in a context that was favorable to them. It’s as if a Ukrainian refugee in Germany is selling coffee with a swastika design. Thus, the authors seek to demonize Ukrainian refugees and show that Europe does not support Ukraine and Ukrainians in general. Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to present Ukrainian refugees as criminals or terrorists, as a cultural and economic threat to the EU - in order to reduce support for Ukraine. We mentioned this in our own research.

Fake Ukrposhta issued a stamp with Yaroslav Hunko, a veteran of the Waffen SS Galicia division

Russian propagandists and pro-Kremlin telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are disseminating information that Ukrposhta has issued a stamp depicting veteran of the Waffen SS Galicia division Yaroslav Hunko. It's fake.

The case was studied by fact-checkers of the Center for Strategic Communications. They established that the latest stamp announced by Ukrposhta is not with the image of Yaroslav Hunko, but with Challenger 2, Leopard 2, Patriot, CAESAR and M2 Bradley. This brand is called “Weapon of Victory. Peace with Ukraine” and it can already be ordered. The head of Ukrposhta, Ihor Smilianskyi, announced this on September 25.

Thus, Russian propagandists continue to promote the narrative that there is Nazism in Ukraine, which Russians are fighting against. This is how Russian propaganda try to discredit Ukrainians, reduce Western support and whiten Russia. Previously, Detector Media refuted the fake that in the Azov children's camp children read “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler.

Fake Boris Johnson “did Z” in Lviv at the presentation of an academic degree

Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are distributing a photo of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly “showing a Z letter” during a visit to Ukraine. This happened at Lviv University named after Ivan Franko, where he was awarded an academic degree. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the StopFake project. They determined that the photo had been edited in a photo editor. In the original photo, Boris Johnson has his arms down, while other ceremony participants hold one hand to their heart.

Moreover, in Ukraine, the use of the Nazi salute or “zigging” is prohibited by the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Article 436) as a public use of symbols of the totalitarian Nazi regime.

Thus, Russian propaganda continues to promote the narrative that there is Nazism in Ukraine, which the Russians are allegedly fighting against. Previously, we refuted the fake news that in the Azovets children's camp children read Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Manipulation In Polish online stores, Zelenskyi's book is sold in the section about the Nazis

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric spread information that the book with the speeches of Volodymyr Zelenskyi is allegedly sold in Polish online stores in the same section as books about the Nazis. “In the “You may like” section, the store automatically offers books about the Volyn massacre, the UPA and, unexpectedly, Mein Kampf”, the telegram channel says. It is not true.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. The book on the screenshot from the online store belongs to the author Wojciech Rogachin and is called Zelenskyi  Biography, it was published by the publishing house Wielka Litera, it is about the life path of Zelenskyi. Also, on the screenshot distributed by the propagandists, the site allegedly says “Może i się spodobać” – “I might like it”, although the correct word would be “Może ci się spodobać” – “Perhaps you will like it”. Fact-checkers have established that, probably, Russian propaganda distributed a screenshot from the website of the Tania Książka bookstore. There are also differences in the recommended books, and in the price, and in the title of the headings. Moreover, the site does not sell Hitler's book Mein Kampf, but only a critical edition with comments by the Polish historian Eugeniusz Krul.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit Poland and continues to promote the narrative that Volodymyr Zelenskyi is a Nazi, like all Ukrainians. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that a stamp with Zelenskyi in the image of Hitler was issued in Poland.

Fake In the children's camp “Azovets” children read “Mein Kampf” by Adolf Hitler

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are circulating a photo from the Azovets children's camp, where children with an Azov badge hold Adolf Hitler's books Mein Kampf for children (My Struggle). As if the children in the ranks are reading this book. They say that Ukrainian children have been made Nazis since childhood. It's fake.

The photograph used by the Russian propagandists has been edited. In a Google Images search, we found the original photo. In it, children hold brochures with the inscription “Azov” in their hands.

“Azovets” is a camp for children that teaches skills that can be learned in pre-conscription and history lessons in schools. They teach medicine and robotics, use military terminology. The Azov Regiment and the Azovets camp for children are different things, which are connected by the leader of the movement Andrii Biletskyi.

Thus, Russian propagandists continue to promote the message that Azov and everything connected with it, even the children's camp, are Nazi organizations. This is a continuation of the narrative that the Russians are promoting Nazism in Ukraine, and Russia is fighting against it. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the Germans are asking the Ukrainian military not to use Nazi symbols.

Fake CIA declassifies document alleging that Stepan Bandera was a spy for Adolf Hitler

Users of the American segment of Facebook and Twitter are spreading a screenshot and a link to a document allegedly declassified by the CIA. It states that the Ukrainian hero Stepan Bandera was allegedly “a professional spy for Hitler, known as Consul II”. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Reuters media drew attention to the case. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) posted on its website a translation of a Russian-language article from the magazine. And users of Facebook and Twitter mistakenly perceived the text as data from the CIA itself. Also, some of the correspondents shared a cropped screenshot, where the part that identifies the document as a translation is not visible.

In fact, the source of this article about Bandera as a spy for Hitler is the 1951 issue of the periodical Socialist Visnyk (Herald), which was published by the Mensheviks abroad.

Russian propaganda systematically promotes fakes about Stepan Bandera to convince the whole world that Ukrainians are Nazis. This discredits Ukraine and the Ukrainian authorities. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that Ukraine allegedly hides a real photo of Stepan Bandera with the German leadership.

Fake NATO may involve Azov and Kraken battalions to suppress protests in France

Anonymous telegram channels and Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are spreading reports that NATO is considering enlisting the Azov and Kraken battalions to quell protests in France. This was allegedly written on the official website of the Alliance with reference to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. It's fake.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation drew attention to the case. To spread it, Russian propaganda used a fake page of the Alliance. Moreover, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg did not make such statements.

In this way, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit the Azov and Kraken battalions, as well as to emphasize that Ukraine is a puppet in the hands of the West. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that in Poltava people sold Easter sets “with symbols of the Nazis” and the Azov regiment.

Message The West creates a Nazi organization against Belarusians and Russians

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.

Manipulation In the video message of Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the chevron of the SS Galicia division was noticed

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric distributed a screenshot of Zelenskyi’s video message, which allegedly shows the chevron of the Nazi 14th Waffen-SS division “Galicia” in the form of a lion with three crowns. Russian propaganda allegedly noticed it on a board with military chevrons behind the back of the President of Ukraine. This is manipulation.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case. A board with military chevrons really hangs behind Volodymyr Zelenskyi's back. However, the chevron that Russian propagandists passed off as the emblem of the SS division “Galicia” actually belongs to the 1st separate tank Siversk brigade, and it depicts a horse in armor. For the fake, Russian propaganda used a video message from the President dated June 20.

Russian propagandists are systematically spreading the narrative that Ukrainians, and President Zelenskyi in particular, are Nazis. Russian propaganda transfers responsibility for Russia's crimes from the aggressor to the victim of aggression. Earlier, Detector Media denied fakes that Zelenskyi wore a sweater with Nazi symbols to a meeting with the Pope, and Valerii Zaluzhnyi allegedly has a “bracelet with a swastika”.

Fake Ukraine won the trial for Scythian gold only “because of Nazism and occultism in Europe”

Russian propaganda media disseminate publications in which the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands on the return of the collection “Crimea - a golden island in the Black Sea” to Ukraine is described not only as “a complete degradation of the system of international law in Europe”, but also as due to the “Nazi inclinations” of the countries EU and Ukraine. In particular, Russian “historians” claim that the Scythian gold is returned to Ukraine only “for occult reasons”, because according to their version, Ukraine and Europe are “collecting magical artifacts” in order to defeat Russia “with their help” . It's fake.

Analysts of the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that Russian narratives based on the collection “Crimea - a golden island in the Black Sea” have evolved from theses like “Russia has nothing to do with it” to statements about “breaking the bottom in the European judicial system”. Now propagandists have moved on to spreading frank conspiracy theories about this. In a comment to StopFake, Evelina Kravchenko, senior researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasized that this approach is not new and that these theses do not explain the situation with the collection in an effective way.

By spreading such stories, propagandists want to justify the failure of the gold situation, raise doubts about whether it can be true, what is not, and also distort the historical context of the issue. Detector Media explained how Russian propaganda instrumentalizes the history of Ukraine.

Fake In Ivano-Frankivsk region, they distribute Nazi postcards

Information is being disseminated on social networks that postcards with xenophobic overtones are being distributed in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The first postcard reads: “Pure blood means a healthy nation. If you hate Russians, bulbash (Belorussians), Tatars, Gypsies, Psheks (Poles) and other shit, join us. Harvest time has come!”. The second shows several dates, namely: the birthday of Adolf Hitler, the birthday of Stepan Bandera, the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the clash between supporters of Euromaidan and Anti-Maidan in Odesa in 2014, and the day of the explosion on the Crimean bridge. At the end of this postcard is written “your time for exploits” and the year 2023 is mentioned. It's fake.

Analysts of the VoxCheck project drew attention to it. Experts analyzed the text of the leaflets and found out that they correspond to the stereotypical image of a Ukrainian Nazi and contain a number of inaccuracies indicating that the text was created by foreigners without knowledge of the local context. In addition, analysts have not found publications with postcards in Ukrainian resources. Messages with them were published only by Russian propagandists and Polish-language anti-Ukrainian resources. Additionally, experts checked the photo postcards through FotoForensics and found out that some of them had images added using software. Moreover, on the postcards you can see photos with Azov fighters and members of the Centuria organization, but they did not spread the hate speech contained in the postcard.

Thus, propagandists are trying to justify the war against Ukraine and reinforce stereotypes about Ukrainians. In addition, they want to discredit the Ukrainian armed forces and Ukrainian civil society. However, by creating such fakes, Russians reinforce their own xenophobic beliefs, which is adjacent to the ideology of Nazism.

Fake Poles accuse Ukrainian refugees of displaying Nazism

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the Poles seem to accuse the Ukrainian refugees of manifestations of Nazism. They say that anti-Ukrainian billboards have appeared in many Polish cities, and rallies against Poland's involvement in the war in Ukraine are increasingly taking place in Warsaw. The authors refer to the publication Myśl Polska. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project investigated this case and found that such theses are unfounded and have no evidence. As they explain, Myśl Polska, referred to by the pro-Russian media, consistently spreads pro-Kremlin rhetoric. For example, in their materials, the authors of Myśl Polska accuse the West, and not Russia, of “unleashing” a war in Ukraine. That is, the likely “material” about the anti-Ukrainian sentiment rally may include a number of fakes and manipulations. At the same time, fact-checkers add that the Polish media do not have any mention of billboards with anti-Ukrainian appeals or mass rallies against Ukraine. They are convinced that this is a stuffing of propagandists.

By spreading this fake, the authors seek to demonize Ukrainian refugees and show that Europe does not support Ukraine and Ukrainians in general. Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to present Ukrainian refugees as criminals or terrorists, as a cultural and economic threat to the EU, in order to reduce support for Ukraine. We mentioned this in our own investigation.

Message “Glory to Ukraine!” is “Bandera slogan” and “Nazi chant”

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that the slogan “Glory to Ukraine!” is Nazi, and Ukrainians use it, glorifying “Nazism” in this way. This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mariia Zakharova in response to a meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on May 15. During the briefing, the chancellor shouted “Glory to Ukraine!”.

Specialists of the StopFake project worked on the case, explaining that the slogan “Glory to Ukraine!” is not a “Nazi slogan”. Historians have recorded the use of the congratulations “Glory to Ukraine!” by the Ukrainian national movement at least since the end of the 19th century. In addition, they began to massively use “Glory to Ukraine!” during the Ukrainian revolution in the period 1917-1921. Subsequently, this congratulation was introduced in the UNR Army. And at the Second grand meeting of the OUN (under the leadership of Stepan Bandera) in 1941, a resolution was approved in which the obligatory answer was added to the greeting “Glory to Ukraine”: “Glory to heroes!”. This formula is still in use today. Since 2018, the slogan has also been used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine. That is, the slogan has nothing to do with so-called Nazism. Moreover, the slogan existed long before the creation of the OUN.

By spreading this fake, the propagandists once again speculate on the topic of Ukrainian nationalism and distort it into “Nazism”. It seems that being a Ukrainian is already a reason to receive accusations of Nazism from the Russians. Recently, we refuted a similar case, which said that Zelenskyi allegedly put on a jumper with an embroidered coat of arms of the OUN, although it was the Ukrainian coat of arms.

Fake In a sweater with Nazi symbols, Zelenskyi met with the Pope

Kremlin propaganda media and a network of Twitter bots are spreading the information that Zelenskyi came to a recent meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican wearing a sweater with supposedly Nazi OUN-UPA symbols. It's fake.

The case was noticed by specialists from the StopFake project. Volodymyr Zelenskyi did indeed wear a black sweatshirt to the meeting at the Vatican, but it features a stylized white coat of arms on a black chevron. This image is not the symbol of the OUN-UPA, which was drawn by the Ukrainian graphic artist Robert Lisovskyi and approved in 1932 (yellow coat of arms with a middle element in the shape of a sword on a blue background). The Ukrainian trident has been used in state heraldry for hundreds of years.

Stylization of the emblem of the OUN 1932 and the Ukrainian trident are not Nazi symbols and are not prohibited in the world. Moreover, during the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-1946, none of the national liberation movements, in particular the OUN and the UPA, were found guilty. Nazi and fascist symbols are prohibited in Ukraine by the law “On the condemnation of the communist and national socialist (Nazi) totalitarian regimes in Ukraine and the prohibition of propaganda of their symbols”.

Propagandists systematically spread the narrative that Ukrainians are Nazis and the real killers that Russia is fighting. Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to justify Russia's crimes by shifting responsibility from the aggressor to the victim of the aggression. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that Zaluzhnyi had a “bracelet with a swastika”.

Message Ukrainians are Nazis as they restrict access to services to “parishioners of the UOC-MP”

Anonymous telegram channels, where pro-Russian rhetoric is circulating, spread messages  showing a photo allegedly taken in Kamianets-Podilskyi, in which, at the entrance to the bike workshop, it is written that “parishioners of the UOC-MP” are not served there. Along with this image, the propagandists add a photo that shows a sticker on a telephone booth in Munich during the Third Reich, which forbade Jews from using the phone. Propagandists claim that this is yet another proof that Ukrainians have become neo-Nazis.

When trying to search for an image allegedly from Kamianets-Podilskyi published in such messages, it can only be found in pro-Russian Twitter accounts and Reddit threads. It's impossible to find it on social media. Accordingly, its reliability is doubtful, and the original source is incomprehensible.

This message is not used for the first time. Thus, the propagandists want to justify the crimes of the Russians and the aggression against Ukraine in general. Like, that's why they talk about denazification. The identification of the “oppression” of supporters of the UOC-MP with the genocide of Jews also devalues the scale of the tragedy of the Second World War.

Propagandists are constantly spreading information about the UOC-MP, inventing various fakes. In particular, Detector Media wrote about “blackened crosses” in the church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra because of the “blasphemy of Ukrainians”.

Manipulation Kyryl Budanov urged to “kill Russians like Hitler did in his time”

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyryl Budanov, called for “killing Russians”, just like Hitler did in his time. Like, Ukrainian officials are lobbying for the idea of killing Russians on a national basis. The authors of the messages refer to the statement of the first deputy head of the international committee of the Council of Federations of Russia, Volodymyr Dzhabarov. This is manipulation.

The specialists of the StopFake project took up the case and determined that Kyryl Budanov did not say such things, and his words were taken out of context. The reason for creating this manipulation was an interview for Yahoo News, where the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate spoke about the Russian army and their war crimes. He explained that punishment for such people cannot be avoided. He also said that the Ukrainian army is destroying the Russians and will destroy them until the complete victory of Ukraine. That is, Kyryl Budanov did not call for the killing of all “Russians” on a national basis. He mentioned only those Russians who hosted or are participating in the war against Ukraine and commit war crimes by killing Ukrainian civilians.

By spreading such manipulation, propagandists seek to once again feed the narrative about the existence of Ukrainian Nazis. Therefore, the Russians whitewash themselves and justify the wide-scale war and the daily war crimes committed by the Russians. Like, the goal of Ukraine is to destroy the Russians, so they are defending themselves.

Message Neo-Nazi “Kyiv regime” must be destroyed

The propagandists are spreading the message that the “Kyiv regime” allegedly seeks to gather around itself the Nazi elite, and the only way to fight it is to destroy all the military and military equipment used in the counteroffensive. In addition, propagandists openly call for the overthrow of the Ukrainian authorities for the above reasons.

Analysts of the EUvsDisinfo project drew attention to the message. They noticed that the message is indeed repeated regularly in Russian propaganda media. The myth of “Nazi Ukraine” has been at the heart of Russian disinformation since 2013-2014, when they tried to discredit Euromaidan protesters in this way. In fact, right-wing groups did not gain much popularity either during Euromaidan or during the 2019 parliamentary elections.

In addition, in 2015 Ukraine passed a law condemning Nazi and communist ideology. The law prohibits the public use and promotion of Nazi and communist symbols.

Thus, the propagandists want to justify the crimes of the Russians. Like, Russia protects the world from the invasion of neo-Nazism. However, according to EUvsDisinfo analysts, right-wing groups do not have significant political or social influence in Ukraine.

Message In Odesa, the Nazis burned people alive in 2014

Propagandists spread the message that on May 2, 2014, “Nazi groups” organized a “brutal burning” of protesters in the House of Trade Unions in Odesa and thus killed 48 people.

It was brought to the attention of the EUvsDisinfo project. The project specialists claim that the trial, which would clearly identify those responsible for the events of May 2, 2014 in Odesa, has not yet taken place. At the moment, 5 court cases and 3 open investigations related to the events are known. In addition, the chronology of events can be followed by reports from The Guardian and DW. Project analysts also recommend watching the documentary “May 2. Without myths” for a better understanding of the events that took place then in Odesa.

They emphasize that this message is not new and is often repeated on the anniversary of the tragedy. Thus, propagandists want to create a stereotype about “Ukrainian Nazis” and justify Russia's crimes by shifting responsibility from the aggressor to the victim of aggression.

Fake In Poltava, they sold Easter sets with “symbols of the Nazis and the Azov regiment”

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that in Poltava on the eve of Easter they sold themed sets (accessories for Easter eggs) with symbols of the Nazis and the Azov regiment. The authors add a screenshot and a video to the publication, seemingly from the story of Poltava residents, claiming that “all the sets have been sold out”. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project investigated that such a set is not sold either in Poltava or in Ukraine as a whole. Such a photo and video can only be found in the Russian segment of social networks, which means that the “Easter set” was probably made with the help of special programs.

Moreover, in Ukraine it is forbidden to distribute Nazi symbols. According to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the production, distribution of communist, Nazi symbols and propaganda of the communist and national socialist (Nazi) totalitarian regimes is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years. In theory, such a product could not get on the counter or be advertised in the media.

In addition, propagandists have equated Nazi symbols with those of the Azov regiment and once again seek to promote the narrative of the existence of Nazi Ukrainians. Allegedly, in Ukraine, the Nazis are praised along with the Azov representatives.

Fake In Ukraine, the post office issued stamps dedicated to the SS “Halychyna” (SS Galizien) division

Such information appeared in the Georgian-language segment of social networks,particularly on Facebook. The reports stated that the Ukrainian post office issued a series of stamps dedicated to the division SS “Halychyna” (SS Galizien). The authors of the messages did not refer to the words of the press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mariia Zakharova, however, it was she who first disseminated this information, back on January 27, 2023. According to Zakharova, the stamps were issued for the 75th anniversary of the division SS “Halychyna” (SS Galizien) and the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Ukraine. Like, the fact that Ukraine produces such stamps testifies to its Nazism, because the stamps were issued “in honor of the Nazi division”. It's fake.

In fact, the post of Ukraine did not issue the stamps shown in the photo, which is distributed in the messages. As analysts of the MythDetector project write, stamps with images of members of the SS “Halychyna” (SS Galizien) division have been distributed in the Russian media and on Russian-language forums since 2018. In addition, on April 27, 2018, the Russian Embassy in South Africa circulated a photo of the stamps on Twitter, claiming that the stamps were issued in Ukraine “in honor of the Nazi division”.

There are indeed such stamps, but they are not official, because they were issued by a group of enthusiasts who research the history of the SS “Halychyna” (SS Galizien) division. The stamps were issued in limited quantities and can be bought at online auctions.

Message Ukrainians are Nazis because they choose big dogs

In the Russian media, you can find a number of reports according to which Ukrainians are supposedly Nazis because they choose big dogs. Such a reaction among propagandists was caused by one of the plots of the 1 + 1 TV channel as part of the national telethon. In it, the authors satirically say that Russians love smaller dogs because pets often “look like their owners” and that Russian dogs are no match for the same dog Patron.

The Russians argue that such statements are offensive and anti-human in nature. Like, comparing dogs is a humiliation for an entire nation and another sign that Ukrainians are Nazis. They also make excuses that they choose small dogs because they live in “Khrushchovka” type buildings.

Propagandists are constantly trying to portray all Ukrainians as Nazis, creating fakes and distorting real materials. Thus, they want to shift the responsibility for the war from the aggressor to the victim of the aggression. For example, recently the Russians were outraged that Yuliia Paievska (Taira) received an award from the United States and accused her of supporting Nazism.

Fake US distributes awards to Ukrainian Nazis

Propagandists and Russian diplomats are spreading the information that the medic and volunteer Yuliia Paievska, with the call sign Taira, is a Ukrainian Nazi thug who killed civilians, so the International Women of Courage Award is unacceptable for her. It's fake.

Analysts of The Insider drew attention to this case. They found out that Russian propaganda was still trying to characterize Taira as a Nazi. In particular, while in captivity, Taira was interrogated by representatives of the propaganda media, accusing her of supporting Nazi ideology. During this interrogation, then broadcast on Russian television, even Taira's hairstyle was called “in the best traditions of the Reich”.

In fact, Yuliia Paievska is a medical doctor and volunteer. She became known during the Euromaidan. After the outbreak of war in 2014, she traveled to the east of Ukraine and organized her own volunteer service, which also helped the military. As a medic, Paievska cooperated with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2018-2020.

By spreading such fakes, propagandists are trying to justify the actions of the aggressor again and shift the responsibility for them to the victim of aggression. Like, Russia is fighting against just such Nazis, who kill civilians in Donbas. Also, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit Ukrainian civil society and the armed forces by inventing various horrifying stories about them. Using these stories, Russia accuses the “collective West” of supporting the spread of Nazism.

Fake Nazi symbols are applied to German tanks before being sent to Ukraine

A video of a column of tanks allegedly being transported to Ukraine is being circulated on social networks. On one of the tanks you can allegedly see the inscription “14/88”  symbolizing the Nazi slogan. Users of social networks write that this video was filmed in Germany, and symbols are applied to tanks before being sent to Ukraine. It's fake.

The video circulating on social media has been intentionally altered. There are no symbols on the tanks in the original video. The reports also refer to a fake about encrypted Nazi symbols in the number of tanks. Fact-checkers of StopFake found out that the video shows American Abrams tanks. The video was published back in March 2022, that is, the tanks could not be transported to Ukraine, since at that time there was no talk of their deliveries.

Russian propaganda began to spread messages about “Nazi crosses” on tanks for Ukraine in advance, saying that “Nazis” can not hide their views. Thus, propaganda nourishes the narrative of Russia's one more fight against Nazism and fascism by appealing to the events of World War II.

Manipulation In the number of tanks that Germany will give to Ukraine, Nazi symbols were encrypted

Messages are circulating on the net that the alleged number of tanks that Germany will transfer to Ukraine is not accidental. They are talking about 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks and 88 Leopard 1 tanks. Users claim that Nazi symbols were encrypted in these numbers: 88 - two eight letters of Latin (HH - Heil Hitler), 14 - the slogan of white racists from 14 words. This is manipulation.

The statement about encrypted characters in the number of tanks is a conspiracy theory. Moreover, finally Germany will transfer more tanks. First, the German government announced the supply of 14 Leopard 2 A6 battle tanks to Ukraine from the stocks of the Bundeswehr. According to VoxCheck fact-checkers, according to NATO standards, a tank company consists of 14 tanks. That is, this figure has nothing to do with Nazi symbols. Somewhat later, they announced the delivery of 88 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine. However, the German federal government finally approved the delivery of 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

Russian propaganda used the coincidence and came up with a “hidden meaning” in the number of tanks it plans to deliver to Ukraine. Thus, Russian propaganda not only nourished the narrative that Nazism reigns in Ukraine, but also tries to discredit military assistance to Ukraine from other states. Previously, propaganda spread fakes, as if the Ukrainian military were awarding “Nazi” awards and allegedly fascist crosses were depicted on Ukrainian armored vehicles.