Spilnota Detector Media

Fake All potassium iodide sold out in Kyiv after Zelenskyi's statement about the mining of the Zaporizhzhia NPP

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric reported that Zelenskyi allegedly intimidated Ukrainians by mining the ZNPP, which allegedly caused potassium iodide to disappear from Kyiv pharmacies. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case. They note that the demand for potassium iodide tablets has indeed increased, but they can be bought in many pharmacies in Kyiv. Potassium iodide produced by Darnytsia is available in 17 pharmacies, and other manufacturers - in 852 pharmacies in Kyiv. On June 22, Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Ukrainian intelligence had received information about the mining of the ZNPP, and then the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyryl Budanov, confirmed the mining of the plant’s cooler by Russian troops in an interview with The New Statement.

By spreading information about the shortage of potassium iodide tablets in pharmacies in Kyiv, Russian propaganda is trying to create chaos, intimidate Ukrainians and cause them to panic. However, these pills are not suitable for everyone and they will need to be consumed only after official notification from the authorities or the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that Ukraine was deliberately raising the water level in order to flood the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Fake El jueves, Spanish magazine, published a cover with Greta Thunberg scolding Volodymyr Zelenskyi

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are distributing the cover of the allegedly Spanish satirical magazine El jueves, which depicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and eco-activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg scolds Zelenskyi because of the large number of losses during the counteroffensive. It's fake.

The case drew the attention of experts from the Center for Counteracting Disinformation. On the official pages of El jueves in social networks, it is impossible to find an issue with such a cover. The cover of the latest issue of the magazine, published on June 28 under No. 2.389 - 03, depicts Russian President Putin and the leader of the Wagner group  Pryhozhyn.

By ridiculing the President of Ukraine, Russian propaganda is trying to show that he is despised in the West. Also, Russian propagandists seek to sow panic among Ukrainians because of the counteroffensive, which is allegedly laughed at in Europe. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that El jueves magazine published a cover on which the Ukrainian military refused to counteroffensive.

Fake In Ukraine, they created biological weapons under the leadership of the United States, ex-lieutenant Scott Bennett said

In the Georgian segment of Facebook, a fragment of an interview with American ex-lieutenant Scott Bennett, which he gave to Iranian media Press TV, is being distributed. Bennett said that under the leadership of the United States, biological weapons were allegedly produced on the territory of Ukraine. This process began in 2005 with the creation of the 501C3 organization, which then transformed into Metabiota, funded by a company led by Hunter Biden. Scott Bennett also said that the Obama and Biden administrations collected the DNA of the Slavic population in order to create biological weapons against them. It's fake.

The case was investigated by specialists from the Myth Detector project. The statements of ex-lieutenant Scott Bennett repeat Kremlin fakes and manipulations of a biological laboratory in Ukraine. His words that the DNA of the Slavic peoples was collected to create biological weapons against them are unsubstantiated. Also, evidence that the Metabiota company is involved in the creation of biological weapons has not been proven. Professor Oliver Jones, Head of Biosciences and Food Technology at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, responded to the statement and explained that people are too genetically similar, so it is technically impossible to create bioagents that selectively destroy only the Slavic gene. In 2005, Ukraine and America signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of biosecurity. It is an Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Area of Prevention of Proliferation of Technology, Pathogens and Expertise That Could Be Used in the Development of Biological Weapons between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Department of Defense of the United States of America.

Russian propaganda systematically spreads fakes and manipulations on the development of biological weapons in Ukraine. This is part of the narrative that “the West controls Ukraine”. There have never been American biological laboratories in Ukraine. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that the United States is conducting military biological research in Ukraine with the bird flu virus.

Fake Through the streets of London, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg walked naked

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric circulate a photo of a naked man on the streets of London and pass him off as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case. The Daily Mail did indeed publish a photo of a naked man in London and indicated that it was taken on June 27. However, there is no mention anywhere that this is Jens Stoltenberg. In the photo itself, it is also noticeable that it is not him. Moreover, on June 27, the NATO Secretary General was at a conference in The Hague.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to ridicule the NATO Secretary General and discredit him. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that Biden has three arms.

Fake Zelenskyi addressed the French amid protests and said that peace will return with Ukraine

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric and on the Russian segment of Twitter spread information that Zelenskyi allegedly turned to the French amid protests in France. He allegedly said that for many years Ukraine tried to join NATO, and now he is looking at the burning Marseille and wants to ask: “How do you feel without Ukraine? Are you doing well? Forget about pride, accept our help and peace will return to the streets of your cities”. It's fake.

The fact-checker of the Stop Fake project drew attention to the case. This quote is fictional. There is no reference to the source in the text, and there is no such appeal on the official pages of the President of Ukraine. The last time Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke with Emmanuel Macron was in early June, and the protests in France began on June 28.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyi and worsen relations with Western partners. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that, according to a Polish article, 95% of Ukrainian refugees will not return home.

Fake Polish media: 95% of Ukrainian refugees will not return home

Propagandists of anonymous telegram channels spread information that one of the largest Polish news portals, Onet Wiadomości, published an article according to which allegedly 95% of Ukrainian refugees will not return home. Like, the publication predicts three scenarios for the development of the demographic situation in Ukraine in the near future, according to which 20-30 million people will remain in Ukraine. It's fake.

 Although the message authors add a link to the portal, it leads to the main page of the portal. In addition, when searching for this material on Onet Wiadomości, it is impossible to find it. Moreover, upon request in Polish “Ukrainians do not want to return home”, Google search engine shows only a number of articles from Polish publications on the topic of how much Ukrainians want to return to their country, which contradicts the main idea of the fake. If the mentioned article really existed, it would definitely be found in the Polish media space.

By spreading such fakes, propagandists continue to try to discredit Ukrainian refugees and create a false impression that they no longer want to support Ukraine abroad precisely because of their behavior, and Poland is the main “target” because it accepted the largest number of refugees. Detector Media wrote about other fakes related to Polish media, in particular, about the fake cover of Dziennik Wschodni.

Fake “No Zelenskyi - no war”, an advertising banner was placed in New York

Propagandists in social networks are spreading information that they have placed an advertising banner in New York with the words: “No Zelenskyi - no war”. It's fake.

Specialists of the Beyond the News project and the Center for Countering Disinformation drew attention to it. They found out that the video, which allegedly depicts a banner, is the result of video editing. Based on footage from Fifth Avenue, however, it was filmed before the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Analysts have noticed that the banner is missing from recent street panoramas on Google Maps and video footage of the street. In addition, they note that in the video there are black traffic lights, while since 2021 there have been yellow traffic lights on this street. The absence of the banner was also confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York.

By spreading such fakes, propagandists continue to try to personally discredit Zelenskyi and create the false impression that they no longer want to support Ukraine abroad precisely because of the behavior and rhetoric of its president. For a similar purpose, they create fake covers of foreign publications, as Detector Media wrote about more than once.

Fake Ukraine's counteroffensive is “turned into a clownery”, Zaluzhnyi thinks

Propagandists in the Russian media are spreading disinformation based on an interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for The Washington Post. In particular, they claim that Valerii Zaluzhnyi allegedly accuses Western partners of turning the counteroffensive into a “clownery”. It's fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that in fact Zaluzhnyi did not say anything about clowning. At the same time, commenting on the progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, he noted that despite the lack of a number of necessary types of weapons in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ukrainian army “is moving forward every day, even if it is only 500 meters”. Therefore, he is “irritated” by statements that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is moving “slower than expected”.

Thus, propagandists want to discredit the Armed Forces of Ukraine and create a false impression of Russia's victory on the battlefield. In addition, they want to show Ukraine and its government as ungrateful for the help of Western partners.

Fake The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine recognized the “successful advancement” of the Russian army in many areas

Propagandists in the Russian media are spreading information that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has acknowledged that the Russian army has “advanced in many directions”. Like, such a statement was made by Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. It's fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that the propagandists created a fake based on a recent post by Maliar in her telegram channel. Although she recalled the Russian offensive in the Avdiivka, Mariinka, Lyman and Svativsk  directions, she did not write anything about the “successes” of the Russian army or that the Russians were “occupying new territories”. The only value judgment contained in the message is the phrase “the situation is rather complicated”. On the contrary, Maliar argues that Ukrainian troops are advancing in several directions.

Thus, propagandists want to discredit the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and cause Ukrainians to panic. Like, the Russians are already winning and even the officials admit it.

Fake The UK is to give Ukraine fighter jets with crews

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that the UK is allegedly transferring fighter jets with military pilots to Ukraine. That is, they will lead the fighters, not the Ukrainian troops. The authors explain this by saying that Ukrainian pilots take a long time to learn, so they send “foreign mercenaries” to Ukraine. It is not true.

The VoxCheck project specialists took up this case and determined that the UK did not announce that it would provide fighters along with crews. That is, it is an invention of propagandists. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously announced that the British military would train Ukrainian fighter pilots. And already on May 15, 2023, the British government announced that it would begin training Ukrainian pilots in the summer. At the same time, Rishi Sunak explained that the UK does not plan to send fighter jets to Ukraine, it will only train the military. Consequently, the UK does not plan to transfer either fighters or crews to Ukraine.

By spreading this fake, the propagandists feed the narrative about the fight against the “collective event”. Allegedly, mercenaries sent by NATO are fighting on the side of Ukraine. Thus, the authors attribute their failures on the battlefield. Like, the whole world is fighting against them, and not just Ukraine.

Fake China will support Russia in case of threat of World War III, Xi Jinping says

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that Xi Jinping declared his readiness to support Russia “in the course” of World War III. They say that the whole world helps Ukraine, but no one helps Russia. It needs help too. The authors add that Xi Jinping is sure how Russia will lead the “world order”. It's a lie.

Analysts of the VoxCheck project analyzed the case and found out that the quote was just made up. Xi Jinping didn't say that. Fact checkers verified the information using a Google search for keywords about support for Russia and World War III. They did not find such information in any authoritative publications.

Such a fake is part of the conspiracy theory that the Third World War is already ongoing or is about to begin. This is beneficial to Russian propaganda, in particular, to explain the duration and failures of the Russian army on the territory of Ukraine. Like, Russia is at war not only with Ukraine, but also with the “collective West”.

Fake The 92nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine resells ambulances

Telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric distribute ads from the Ukrainian website OLX allegedly selling ambulances. The authors claim that the 92nd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is engaged in the illegal sale of cars. They also add that the military first collects money for these vehicles, and then they resell them and thus earn money. That is, they are cashing in on the Ukrainians. Information about the collection for the brigade (and its results) is added to the publications and the cars are compared with the announcements on the OLX website. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project managed to analyze the case, explaining that the 92nd brigade does not sell ambulances that they received from fundraising. The brands and type of cars in the photo with the collection are different from those exhibited at OLX. Fact-checkers studied the social networks of volunteers who carry out meetings specifically for the 92nd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The pages publish the call to the meeting, their results, etc. The cars that are in the posts with the collection and are sold on OLX are different. They differ in brand and appearance. Actually fact-checkers also investigated the OLX site for the sale of cars. They noted that the cars have civilian Ukrainian and European numbers. At the same time, vehicles registered with a military unit have black military numbers. This can be seen in the fundraising publications for the 92nd Brigade.

That is, the propagandists did not provide any evidence that the Ukrainian troops are reselling cars for which they used to raise funds. The authors used random ads from the OLX platform, although these vehicles have nothing to do with the 92nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Fake In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, it was forbidden to hospitalize those liable for military service without the consent of the territorial recruitment centers

Such information was disseminated in the social networks of the Ukrainian segment. Reports say that in the Ivano-Frankivsk region on June 13, 2023, the hospitalization of men aged 18 to 59 was allegedly temporarily stopped without the consent of the Territorial recruitment and social support center. The authors add to the publications a photo of an Extract about the decision of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration to ban hospitalization. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project took up this case and found out that the regional council did not make such a decision. This was announced by the Deputy Chairman of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration Vitalii Ilchyshyn. However, such a decision was actually considered the day before at the initiative of the Regional territorial center of recruitment and social support. They explained that those liable for military service, whom the military medical commission recognized as fit for service, may try to get to the hospital, declaring a “sudden” deterioration in their condition.

The chairman of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration noted that in this way people can avoid mobilization. The Extract itself, the photo of which was distributed on social networks, was not found by fact-checkers. They wrote that there were no relevant instructions on the official website of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration. The photo of the Extract was previously distributed by telegram channels and media of the Ukrainian segment, although it is not on the official pages.

Fake Valerii Zaluzhnyi said that Russians need to be “killed” as a nation

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that Valerii Zaluzhnyi said that Russians should be “killed” as a nation. The authors refer to an interview with Zaluzhnyi edition of The Economist. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project took up this case and found out that Valerii  Zaluzhnyi did not say this. It's just a propagandist's invention. In an interview, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine spoke about the destruction of the Russian military stationed on the territory of Ukraine. He has been talking about the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014. But he stressed that in a war, Russians and any other enemies need to be killed, and the Ukrainian army should not be afraid to do this. That is, Valerii Zaluzhnyi meant Russian occupiers, not civilians.

By spreading this fake, the propagandists are trying to expose the Ukrainians and the leadership as aggressors. Allegedly, the Ukrainian army is capable of killing civilians. This is how the authors whitewash themselves by hiding their true actions.

Fake The American magazine The Notion dedicated the cover to Zelenskyi calling him an “evil boy”

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that an American magazine recently ran a cover featuring Zelenskyi and journalists called him an “evil boy”. And against the background of the President, TV screens are shown, where they broadcast news about the sunken bathyscaphe. The authors of the publications add that Zelenskyi is allegedly evil, because all attention is not focused on his figure. It is not true.

Specialists of the Center for Countering Disinformation investigated this case and found that such a cover does not exist. The fact checkers explained that this magazine is a two-week edition and the last available issue went on sale on June 26, 2023. The next issue will be released on the 3rd. Actually, on the fake cover, the date of the issue is June 26 - May 3, 2023. For this date there is a completely different, real cover.

Thus, propagandists seek to show that their rhetoric (for example, that Volodymyr Zelenskyi is worthless and incompetent) is also repeated in the West. So, readers may get the impression that the whole world is opposed to Ukraine.

Fake The Kyiv hydroelectric power plant is 93% out of order, the Ukrainian authorities said

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that the Ukrainian authorities recently said that the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant is 93% out of order. They say that the relevant services do not care about the safety of the hydroelectric power plant, which can lead to flooding of certain territories. As proof, the authors cite a map of Kyiv, on which there are conditional marks about the likely flooded areas of the capital. For example, in the publications they write that the Obolonskyi district will be flooded in 3 minutes, Troieshchyna - in 2 minutes, Podil - in 10 minutes, etc. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project analyzed the case and found out that there were no official statements from the authorities. That is, the thesis about the “emergency state of the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant” is a propaganda stuffing. And with the help of a reverse Google search, fact-checkers found a photo of the map, which shows another flooding of Kyiv districts in the event of a dam break. Such a map does exist. In 2012, the Ukrainian media published an article where they raised the topic of the Kyiv hydroelectric power plant. Journalists, with the help of experts not named in the material, compiled this map. That is, it may not be entirely accurate. One of the experts named in this material, environmentalist Volodymyr Boreiko, stated that ice floes frozen in the Kyiv Sea could lead to holes in the dam. There was no other information about the breach of the dam or the flooding of certain territories. Despite the fact that such a map exists, there was no statement about the emergency state of the Kyiv HPP.

The propagandists simply used the old journalistic material and took advantageous data from it including the “flood” map.

Fake Joseph Biden has three arms, a photo of him is circulating on the network

A screenshot from a video of Joseph Biden standing at the podium is being circulated on the American segment of Twitter, his two hands are slightly raised above it, and the third hand is pressed to the edge of the podium. The spreading image also contains the text: “When you thought you saw everything…”. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Reuters media drew attention to the case. They determined that the photo had been edited. The screenshot was taken from a presidential address following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, where only two hands are visible. The video itself is uploaded by the White House.

Thus, they try to discredit the President of the United States and cause distrust towards him. Earlier, Detector Media denied a number of fakes about Joe Biden, in particular, that he allegedly asked the “invisible man” not to jump during his speech.

Fake In Moldova, they built a personal bomb shelter for Volodymyr Zelenskyi

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric circulated a photo of Volodymyr Zelenskyi during negotiations in Moldova and stated that a personal bomb shelter had been built for him. Russian propaganda also claims that the meeting itself took place underground. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case. In fact, the negotiations took place not underground, but at wineries, in one of the rooms of the ancient Mimi castle. Propagandists use photos taken at the second meeting of the European Political Community, which was attended by 45 heads of states and governments.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyi saying that he is afraid of Russian missiles even abroad. Previously, Detector Media talked about the tactics of reflection, which the Russians use to divert attention.

Fake The Embassy of Ukraine in Turkey published a document on the financing of the dismissed defenders of Mariupol

In the Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, they are spreading an alleged document of the Ukrainian embassy in Turkey. It refers to the allocation of budgetary funds to exceed the amount of living expenses in Turkey for five defenders of Mariupol released from Russian captivity. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Center for Strategic Communications drew attention to the case. The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Turkey officially denied this information on the official website. The fact that this document is fake, “is evidenced by non-existent registration numbers, an invalid Embassy form was used, in particular, a long-defunct website of the Embassy is indicated (current website: turkiye.mfa.gov.ua), other rules for maintaining official correspondence are violated”.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit the Ukrainian military and complicate the cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey, aimed at the release of the Ukrainian military from Russian captivity. Earlier, Detector Media talked about the manipulation that Russia destroyed the entire fleet of Bayraktar drones in Ukraine.

Fake A cover with Zelenskyi and the deceased passenger of the Titan submarine was published by Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are circulating the alleged cover of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo with a caricature of Zelenskyi. In the image, the President of Ukraine is holding the deceased passenger of the Titan submarine so that he would transfer money to help Ukraine. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation drew attention to the case. They determined that no such cover exists. The latest issue is number 1613 and it came out on June 21, while the fake cover is numbered 1614 and dated June 23.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit Western partners and convince Ukrainians that Zelenskyi is neglected in the West. To do this, Russian propaganda uses the tactic of ridicule. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that the German magazine Handelsblatt depicted a destroyed Leopard tank on its cover.

Fake Kyiv agreed with UNESCO on the transfer of holy relics to the museums of Italy, France, Germany and the Vatican

In the Russian and Georgian segment of Facebook and in the media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, they disseminate information with reference to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service that Kyiv allegedly agreed with UNESCO to transfer the Orthodox relics of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to museums in Italy, France and France as if the holy relics had to be taken out in order to preserve them. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Myth Detector project drew attention to the case. They established that the information about the removal of holy relics from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to European countries is false. The Minister of Culture of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko wrote on his Facebook page that “not a single sacred value will leave the territory of Ukraine”.  Also, the acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Maksym Ostapenko, noted that “the reserve did not have such plans and will not have them”. Information about this agreement cannot be found on the official website of UNESCO. This fake was denied on the official Facebook pages of the Ministry of Culture and the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO.

By spreading information that Kyiv has agreed to transfer relics to European countries, propagandists are trying to discredit UNESCO and the Ukrainian authorities. Russian propaganda created a fake to sow religious discord, as well as divert attention from the crimes committed by Russia, in particular, from the looting of museums and galleries. Earlier, Detector Media talked about the message that allegedly Russia does not destroy Ukrainian cultural and historical heritage.

Fake IAEA denied Budanov’s statement that Russian troops mined ZNPP

In the Russian segment of Facebook and in the media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, information is being disseminated that the IAEA allegedly refuted the statement by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyryl Budanov, about mining by the Russian military at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It's fake.

As fact-checkers of the Stop Fake project note, the IAEA press service published a press release on the official website and confirmed the mining. The press release says that the station is mined around the perimeter and in some places inside. Therefore, the claims of Russian propaganda are false. The only thing that the IAEA does not confirm is the report of mines planted near the cooling pond. The visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi took place on June 15.

Thus, Russian propaganda wants to shift the responsibility for the crimes to the victim and convince the whole world that Ukraine is creating provocations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that Kyiv disrupted the IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Fake Al Jazeera published a video selection with angry comments of Ukrainians about the passengers of the Titan bathyscaphe

Propagandists are distributing a video purporting to be a compilation created by Al Jazeera. It analyzes the comments of Ukrainians on the death of the crew members of the submersible Titan. In particular, according to it, the Ukrainians “massively accuse” the passengers of the bathyscaphe of squandering. As confirmation of such conclusions, the authors of the video used the following “comments”: “Ukraine needs help while these people are spending a fortune on stupid entertainment”, “250 thousand dollars to “view”? It is not surprising that they disappeared”, “While they hang out, we really drown. I hope they don't get rescued”. It's fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that the video was not real. Its authors specifically used the logo of the Qatari television company and their design. The fact that this video has nothing to do with Al Jazeera was announced by the company's official English-language Twitter account. According to the channel's explanation, the fake was noticed after Reuters journalists asked for a comment on it. The company representative also noted that propagandists had already used the Al Jazeera branding to create other anti-Ukrainian fakes, in particular, reports that Ukrainian fans were allegedly detained in Qatar for “propaganda of Nazism”.

By creating and spreading such fakes, propagandists want to show Ukrainians as aggressive and ungrateful. Like, they don't care about someone else's grief, because the only thing they need the West for is money and weapons. This reinforces anti-Ukrainian stereotypes in Russian propaganda to justify the crimes of Russians.

Fake Zelenskyi “usurped” power in Ukraine

Propagandists in the Russian media claim that President Volodymyr Zelenskyi refused to hold elections in Ukraine. Like, in this way he “usurped” power and “weaved” on democratic norms. In addition, they also note that Ukraine does not go to peace talks with Russia, allegedly in order to “preserve Zelenskyi's power”. It's fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They argue that the holding of any elections during martial law is prohibited by the Constitution of Ukraine (Article 83 Section IV) and the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law” (Article 19). Propagandists distorted Zelenskyi's comment in a recent BBC interview. Zelenskyi said in it that there can be no elections during the war according to the law, but he wants peace next year.

Project analysts also note that holding elections during the war is not possible for a number of other reasons, including, in particular, infrastructure destroyed by Russia, the difficulty of organizing voting for Ukrainian refugees abroad, as well as security risks in the event of a missile attack on voting day. With the lifting of martial law, the next parliamentary elections should be held in October 2023, and presidential elections in the spring of 2024.

By spreading messages about the “usurpation” of power, propagandists want to personally discredit Zelenskyi and cause distrust in him. In addition, in this way, they want to shift the responsibility for the actions of the Russians to the victim of Russian aggression. They say that only Zelenskyi and his political ambitions are to blame for the fact that the war continues. However, it is the Russian criminal regime that is a true example of the usurpation of power, because it neglects its own legislation for the sake of one person being the head of state.

Fake Armed Forces of Ukraine urge to destroy all people in the de-occupied territories

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are calling for the destruction of all people in the de-occupied territories, since anyone can turn out to be a traitor. The authors of the messages refer to the telegram channel allegedly of the 35th Ukrainian brigade. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case, and they found out that the 35th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not have an official page on  Telegram. Therefore, the channel itself, from where the information was disseminated, is fake. The military unit confirmed that the information page of their brigade was not on  Telegram. And all the messages spread on their behalf are fake. Fact-checkers checked the fake Telegram channel itself and found that the authors often spread panic: they talk about the huge losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the impossibility of victory, ineffective actions of the command, etc. They also discredit Ukrainian officials. In addition, a recent fake about the death of Kyryl Budanov was circulated.

We recall that earlier we explained how and why Russian propagandists create clone pages of the Ukrainian military or even an entire brigade. Thus, they want to win the loyalty of the Ukrainians who can believe in the authenticity of the messages.