Spilnota Detector Media

Manipulation In Ukraine, they created body armor for pregnant women - they are going to send them to the front

The Kremlin media and users of the Russian segment of social networks are spreading information that Ukraine has allegedly introduced a bulletproof vest for “pregnant women on the battlefield”. Allegedly, due to the failure of the counteroffensive, the authorities in Ukraine decided to send pregnant women to the front, because “pregnancy will not be a valid reason for deferment from service”. In confirmation, Russian propaganda posted a photo of the armored suit. This is manipulation.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the StopFake project. According to Ukrainian legislation, there is no mandatory mobilization of women in Ukraine, but they can join the Ukrainian army voluntarily. Pregnancy is a legal basis for dismissal of a military personnel.

Russian propaganda used photographs from a real presentation of the anatomical female armored suit “Ruta Liuta” (Furious Rue). This suit was not designed for pregnant women; it was invented by the Ukrainian Armor company to create protection for military personnel, taking into account the anatomical and physiological parameters of women.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit the Ukrainian authorities, who allegedly do not value human lives, and nourish the narrative of the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. They say that the Ukrainian army has high losses and lacks people, so Ukraine will mobilize even pregnant women. Earlier, Detector Media talked about a similar manipulation: in Ukraine, military uniforms were created for pregnant women in order to send them to the front.

Fake Ex-Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov left for Europe and is “resting there on a yacht”

This information was disseminated on anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say how, after the resignation of the already former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, he was allegedly spotted on a yacht in a European town. Anonymous telegrams convinced that the ex-minister was sent on vacation for “taxpayers’ money”, and he was profiting from the Ukrainians. Photo evidence is added to publications and summarized. However, this is a lie.

StopFake project specialists were able to analyze the case and found out that the photo of Oleksii Reznikov’s vacation actually exists, but it was created back in 2020. Then, on his pages on social networks, in particular on Facebook, the official announced his  engagement. Moreover, only in the Russian segment of social networks this photo was distributed with the caption about “rest after retirement”. That is, the photo dated 2020 has no relation to the present day. The authors of the false publication simply used an old photo to create a fake story.

Thus, Russian agitprop cultivates hatred of the Ukrainian leadership, which completely allows officials of various kinds to “relax for the money of Ukrainians”. And it is precisely such actions on the part of the Ukrainian authorities that give rise to corruption - since allegedly after the official’s resignation, his trip was financed. So, by spreading such fakes, propagandists also want to show that corruption in Ukraine allegedly cannot be corrected, so it will not be accepted into the EU or NATO.

By the way, you may also read the story about how Zelenskyi allegedly travels to Poland on the “golden train”.

Fake Graffiti with “Zelenskyi the Cannibal” was created in Berlin

Such information was disseminated on social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that graffiti with “anti-Ukrainian overtones” was painted on a residential building in Berlin. According to the authors of the fake message, graffiti depicting Volodymyr Zelenskyi eating the hand of a Ukrainian fighter. The hand itself is torn from the body and a Ukrainian chevron is depicted on it. And the inscription on Zelenskyi’s figure is cannibal. The authors refer to a number of German publications, in particular the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper and the national broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and add screenshots of supposedly news from the official pages of the publications. However, this is not true.

StopFake fact-checkers began to analyze this case and found out that such graffiti does not exist. But the German media did not come out with similar news and no mention of “Zelenskyi the cannibal” was found. Accordingly, propagandists used image editors to create images of graffiti. Experts also verified the authenticity of screenshots from fake publications - “news” on the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung website and “story” on the official Instagram account of Deutsche Welle with a photograph of graffiti. Thus, the compilation of photographs is indicated by numerous errors in the design of the German-language text. For example, propagandists wrote “Zelensky” and “Zelinsky”, although according to the German-Ukrainian transliteration the sound “z” is rendered by the letter “s”. Not all German-language publications adhere to these rules, but the Allgemeine Zeitung media workers use the “Selenskyi” form in their materials. On the contrary, Deutsche Welle resorts to international transliteration and is indicated as “Zelenskyy”. But they definitely don’t write like in the previous fake versions.

Regarding the publication of stories in Deutsche Welle, no information about “graffiti” was found on the website or other resources. It is most likely that this story was also made using Photoshop, since the same screenshot is constantly distributed in the Russian segment of social networks: this is indicated by the time of the probable publication of the story. All screenshots indicate that the stock was published 18 hours ago.

We have repeatedly refuted fake news related to fake graffiti or covers on foreign magazines/newspapers. Thus, propagandists seek to show that their rhetoric (for example, that Zelenskyi is hated by the whole world) is also repeated in the West. So it may seem to readers that the public is really dissatisfied with Ukraine. And especially when the authors use elements of popular culture, hinting that people are laughing at the situation in Ukraine and that the Ukrainian agenda for Europe is a reason to laugh.

Read the latest fakes on this topic, where Russia turns a blind eye to false works of street art and pop culture:

It’s as if in The Hague, the capital of European justice, they created graffiti depicting Zelenskyi hanging on the gallows. 

Or look at the fake cover of the allegedly British newspaper The New European, where the Ukrainian president was sitting on the lap of the Dalai Lama. 

And about the fake cover of the numb Volodymyr Zelenskyi from the figure of the dictator Putin and Jesus Christ, read here.

Fake Ants carried an icon of Jesus Christ from a destroyed house in Makiivka

In the Russian segment of TikTok, a video is being distributed where supposedly ants are carrying an icon of the Savior “from a house destroyed by a shell in Makiivka, where all the inhabitants died”. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project. The video that was discovered shows that the image of Jesus Christ was added in a photo editor. The ants were actually carrying cookies. Also, fact checkers from Reuters previously refuted this video. According to their research, it appeared back in 2019, that is, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Previously, we talked about the manipulation that supposedly because of the blasphemy of Kyiv, flocks of dark birds are circling over the city.

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.

Fake The French publication Franc-Tireur published a cover with Zelenskyi near a house with the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are distributing the cover of the supposedly French publication Franc-Tireur with the headline “The House That Zelenskyi Built”. It depicts Volodymyr Zelenskyi standing at the door of the building, and the bloody bodies of Ukrainian soldiers. It's fake.

The case was investigated by fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation. There is no edition with this cover, and the cover of issue 95 looks different on the magazine's website.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Russian propagandists systematically publish fake covers of famous foreign publications to show that the West is allegedly laughing at Ukraine, and Zelenskyi is to blame for the war because he does not want to stop it. Previously, we refuted the fake news that the American publication Chronicles published a cover story about Russia’s superiority over Ukraine in aviation.

Fake Armed Forces of Ukraine launched the campaign “Education will not save the country”

Russian media and anonymous telegram channels are distributing photos and videos showing flyers ostensibly to launch a UFA campaign to increase mobilization. The flyers allegedly handed out in Kharkiv deliver the message “Education will not save the country! Join the Armed Forces!” and “Update data in Territorial centers of procurement and social support”. However, this is fake.

Specialists of the NotaYenota project drew attention to it. They found out that the flyers are actually fake, and the primary source of information about them is a Russian anonymous telegram channel “with an audience of many thousands”. From there, it began to be distributed in other telegram channels, VKontakte and TikTok. In addition, they found English advertisements for these flyers on Facebook. In particular, the flyers contain inaccurate hotline numbers, and the design style of Kharkiv regional territorial center of procurement and social support does not match the flyers.

By creating and spreading this fake, according to project experts, the propagandists want to discredit the information campaign recently launched by the Ministry of Defense “Update data in the Territorial centers of procurement and social support”. This is happening against the backdrop of a bill to abolish the deferment from mobilization for men over the age of 30 who receive additional higher education. The Ministry of Defense notes that the processes for updating data and mobilization are different. And the Russian propaganda wants to unite them in order to cause panic among the population. Detector Media has already refuted a number of fakes on mobilization in Ukraine, including the “mass mobilization” of Ukrainian students.

Fake Mobile crematoriums are being created in Ukrainian troop brigades

Russian media and anonymous telegram channels are circulating a photo that allegedly shows an order from the commander of the 123rd Trooper Brigade to create mobile crematoria. In the “document” this decision is explained by a large number of losses on the Ukrainian side and overcrowded morgues. However, this is fake.

Specialists in the VoxCheck project drew attention to it. They checked the document for errors and found out that the text indicated a period of 5 days instead of a period. In addition, the format of the name does not meet the current requirements for official documentation, according to which the document should not contain “R. Tokarenko”, but “Roman TOKARENKO”. Moreover, since the 123rd TRO brigade is a territorial defense formation in the Mykolaiv region, such orders should be issued in Mykolaiv, and not Kherson, as in the photo. There were no reports of command redeployment. The seal is also not real - there is no organization with the EDRPOU code 07849800. VoxCheck specialists tested the print with the InVid plugin and found signs of being added in the photo editor. Also in the photo one can see that the text is above the seal, but should be below it. The 123rd troop brigade also denied the fake on their Facebook page, calling it “another IPSO of Russian propaganda”.

By creating and spreading such fakes, propagandists want to exaggerate the scale of losses and the situation, as well as demoralize Ukrainian society. They say that the Ukrainian army has heavy losses, which indicates the loss of Ukraine. However, such fakes only indicate that Russia wants to cover its own numerous losses and failures at the front.  Detector Media has already refuted the Russian fake from the “Kyivstar video” about the losses of the Ukrainian army.

Fake The Ukrainian Defense Forces announced the fundraising for the car, and then put it up for sale

Information was disseminated on social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that the AFU fighters announced a fee for the car, and then resold it. They explain that one of the teachers, who was mobilized to  the Armed Forces of Ukraine, just started the fundraising. And then he allegedly posted a photo of the car on a sales website. A screenshot of the car on the site is added to the publications. It's a lie.

The case was processed by VoxCheck fact-checkers, who found out that the military man reported that the car was purchased with volunteer funds and subsequently it was not put up for sale. It is the school teacher Ruslan Koliak, who announced the fundraising. On his pages on social networks, in particular on Facebook, he published a post with the collection. Analysts add that this page is real and genuine. Because they have captured a lot of educational and entertaining content from the publications. Subsequently, the teacher reported on the purchased car in subsequent publications. The fighter managed to collect money for a Mitsubishi Outlander car. Experts checked whether this car is for sale on Ukrainian sites. It turned out that there are no advertisements on the websites for the sale of a Mitsubishi Outlander car of exactly the same color as the car bought by Ruslan Koliak. That is, the authors simply came up with a situation with the “resale” of the car.

Rhetoric about the misuse of humanitarian aid is beneficial to the Kremlin in order to fuel distrust of the Ukrainian military. Like, there is no point in helping if the Ukrainian Defense Forces allow the theft of resources. By the way, read similar cases on the topic: In Ukraine, they allegedly resell Japanese tactical first aid kits for humanitarian aid. Or, Ukrainian military equipment was sold on the Polish car market. Also, check out the fake, which claimed that the protesters in France used weapons that were previously handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Message Ukrainian soldiers are suffering from HIV en masse because they are offered free testing

This thesis was circulated on social networks, in particular on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that one of the local clinics in Kharkiv is providing free HIV testing. Consequently, propagandists sum up: since a free test is offered in Ukraine, it means that there is an outbreak of infection among the military. They also add that the cause is poor-quality blood, which was previously supplied by NATO countries to Ukraine. And they add “photo evidence” to the messages - one of the announcements about testing for the detection of HIV infection.

Fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project began to analyze this case and explained that HIV testing in Ukraine is free. All Ukrainians have the right to use this opportunity. Actually, according to the new version of the law on combating HIV, everyone on the territory of Ukraine has the right to free medical care and provision of antiretroviral drugs for treatment. The authors of the fake message hint that the Ukrainian healthcare system is suffering at the hands of “unprofessionals” and are intimidated by various diseases that are breaking out in Ukraine. However, the fact-checkers emphasize that free HIV testing indicates the relative quality and stability of the medical system of Ukraine. Testing is one of the elements of disease regulation or its timely detection.

By the way, in the first 6 months of 2023, the volume of HIV testing services increased by 52.7%, which even exceeded the pre-war figures. As a reminder, free HIV testing can be done at one’s family doctor, therapist or pediatrician.

In addition, Russian propaganda has repeatedly manipulated the issue of providing blood in the state. Thus, the Kremlin is trying to create a false impression that there is not enough blood in Ukraine, there is not enough of it, and therefore it is impossible to heal the army qualitatively. Among other things, in the opinion of consumers, misinformation was also suggested that they supposedly supply infected blood to Ukraine. That is, they portrayed the image of Ukraine as a state in which international partnership is not interesting. They also wrote that the Verkhovna Rada “orders” Ukrainians to donate blood. Women of Ukrainian fighters complain that their men are being transfused with “Russian blood”. And in general they explained that Ukrainians forbid foreign citizens to become blood donors. And with such messages, the authors fed the classic narrative about the existence of “Ukrainian Nazis”.

Fake Ukrainians painted the inscription “orc” at the memorial plaque to Richard Wagner in Germany

Such information was disseminated on social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that Ukrainian refugees allegedly spray-painted “orc” on a memorial plaque to composer Richard Wagner in Dresden. Authors include photographic evidence with publications. It is not true.

The case was worked out by the specialists of the VoxCheck project, who found out that the propagandists edited the photo and indeed such an inscription does not exist. The fact-checkers emphasized that the photo with the inscription is distributed only in the Russian segment of social networks. And the photo is always the same: no changes in angles, period of day, etc. Moreover, no mention of probable vandalism by Ukrainians was found in the German media. With the help of a reverse search on Google, experts were able to find a photo that was used by the authors of fake messages. It is most likely that this particular photo served to create a fake.

Among other things, the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform contacted the local authorities of Dresden to obtain an up-to-date photo of the memorial. There are no inscriptions on the actual photo.

Fake A fighter of the Wagner group posted a photo proving that he was on the Polish border

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric have circulated a photograph of a Wagner fighter allegedly standing on the Polish border. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. They determined that the photo had been edited with a photo editor, adding a Wagner chevron and a Russian flag. In fact, the original photo shows a Polish soldier. This fact was determined by the Google reverse. Also, Stanislav Zharyn, the Commissioner of the Polish government for the security of the information space, said that the photo is not real and can be used to spread panic.

Using the relocation of the Wagner group and leader Pryhozhyn to Belarus after an unsuccessful rebellion in Russia, Russian propaganda is trying to sow panic and create pretexts for an attack on Poland. Earlier, we refuted the fake that Poland is asking to open the border with Russia for trade.

Fake Forced mobilization in Ukraine is a special operation of the Kremlin

In the Russian segment of Facebook, they distributed a screenshot of supposedly news from the Deutsche Welle website with the heading “Forced mobilization in Ukrainian regions controlled by Kyiv may be a special operation of the Kremlin”. They also write that such publications are an example of the work of “Western propaganda”, which is trying to whitewash Ukraine and shift responsibility to Russia. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to the case. The image has been specially edited to spread misinformation. In fact, there is no such publication either on the Russian version of the Deutsche Welle website or in other languages. The publication published only articles about forced mobilization in the territories occupied by Russia. Olesia Halkina is also listed as the author of the news, but the name of this person cannot be found in open sources.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the West and Western media that allegedly whitewash Ukraine. Like, they also distribute fakes in order to create an image of solid evil in Russia. Earlier, we talked about the manipulation that in Ukraine they created a military uniform for pregnant women in order to send them to the front.

Fake The American edition of Chronicles published a cover about the superiority of Russia over Ukraine in aviation

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are circulating the alleged cover of the American magazine Chronicles about Russia's superiority over Ukraine in aviation. The picture shows a Russian fighter jet, a ghost hunter, hunting down the Ukrainian ghost of Kyiv. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. There is no issue of the American Chronicles magazine with this cover. The image indicates that this is the August edition, but the Chronicles website, which has covers for every issue of the magazine, does not have such a cover. And the August issue was dedicated to the US elections.

Russian propaganda systematically publishes fake covers of world publications. Thus, propagandists seek to show that their rhetoric is also repeated in the West, and the whole world is laughing at Ukraine, and Russia is winning the war. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that the German magazine Handelsblatt depicted a destroyed Leopard tank on the cover.

Fake Ukrainian military robbed and destroyed a pharmacy in Chasiv Yar

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric spread information that the Ukrainian military had allegedly looted a pharmacy in Chasiv Yar and set it on fire. It seems to be a typical tactic of the Ukrainian army. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. The house depicted in the photo distributed by Russian propaganda was damaged as a result of Russian shelling. Through a reverse Google image search, they determined that the photo was first published by the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko.

On July 26, civilian objects were damaged by enemy shelling, including 2 houses in the Chasiv Yar community. Kyrylenko did not give the address, but the photo posted on the telegram channel shows exactly this pharmacy, which is being distributed by propagandists.

Russian propaganda is using reflection tactics to divert the world's attention from Russia's crimes and blame Ukraine for them. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the Ukrainian military is equipping dungeons for children.

Fake The German edition of Eulenspiegel has published a cover with Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Andrzej Duda

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric distribute the cover of an ostensibly German edition of Eulenspiegel, which depicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Polish President Andrzej Duda and the text of the Volyn tragedy. It's fake.

The case was investigated by fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation. They determined that there was no issue with that cover, and that the barcode on the cover was from another issue.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to spoil relations between Poland and Ukraine and create the appearance that there is tension between the countries supporting each other. Earlier, Detector Media talked about the manipulation that Poland officially demands an apology from Ukraine because of the Volyn tragedy.

Fake In Kharkiv, they found a place of mass burial of the victims of “black transplantation”

In the American segment of the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, a message with a photo is circulating that during excavations in Kharkiv near Hospital No. 6, corpses without organs, including babies, were found. The head of the All-Ukrainian Federation of Large Families, Tetiana Zakharova, allegedly believes that newborns could be sold to researchers or clinics that inject beauty with stem cells. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project investigated this case. A photo circulating on social media shows the exhumation of bodies from a mass grave in Liman in 2022. The material itself was written 14 years ago and is based on quotes from Graham Smith, Moscow correspondent for the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

Thus, Russian propaganda continues to promote the message that Ukraine is the world leader in “black transplantation”. They justify Russia's actions and accuse the Ukrainian authorities of crimes in order to discredit it and undermine Ukrainians' confidence in it. Earlier, we refuted the fake that Ukrainian battalions kill Ukrainian children and then export their organs under the grain export code.

Fake In New York, they installed an advertising banner with Zelenskyi and the inscription that “he earned more than a Barbie movie”

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that a banner advertising Volodymyr Zelenskyi was installed in New York with the inscription: “I made 10 times more than a Barbie movie”. The authors add photo evidence to the messages. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council determined that such a banner does not exist. The propagandists used a real photo of the banner and put a photo of Zelenskyi on it. Specialists of the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York confirmed to fact-checkers that the banner about Zelenskyi is not real, and explained what is now depicted on it: an advertisement for the Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter Exhibition.

Thus, propagandists seek to show that their rhetoric is also repeated in the West, so that people get the impression that the whole world is opposed to Ukraine and supports Russia.

Fake The gas supply company Naftogaz offers its subscribers a discount on services if they provide information about “deviators of the political regime”

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports say that recently, on utility bills from the gas supply company Naftogaz, users found an inscription on the provision of a discount. As the authors explain, one can get a discount if they provide the company with information about collaborators and deviators. Photos of receipts are added to publications. It's a lie.

The fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council took up this case and found out that the photo was edited using Photoshop since the original photo of the receipt was superimposed with the text about the provision of a discount. However, in original receipts such an inscription does not exist.

By spreading this fake, the authors are trying to show that Ukraine is allegedly in complete disarray, because civilians are asked to catch collaborators and deviators of the political regime “at any cost”. Moreover, propagandists are hinting that there are many people who are against the political regime of Ukraine, and as if most people are cooperating with Russia, where the situation is “the best”.

Fake The French edition of Charlie Hebdo published a cover with Volodymyr Zelenskyi against the background of the burning Crimean bridge

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are circulating a cover allegedly published by the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo depicting Volodymyr Zelenskyi against the backdrop of the burning Crimean bridge. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project drew attention to the case. No issue of Charlie Hebdo had such a cover. On the fake cover it is indicated that this is a special issue of July 18, 2023, the number of which is 1579. The publication’s website has an archive of all issues, so the fact-checkers found the magazine under the number 1579. It was released on October 26, 2022 and had a different cover.

Russian propaganda systematically distributes fake covers of famous foreign publications. Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to laugh at Volodymyr Zelenskyi and show that the President of Ukraine is not respected all over the world. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the American magazine The Nation dedicated a cover to Zelenskyi calling him an “evil boy”.

Fake In Ukraine, they sell an Orthodox book, according to which killing Russians is not a sin

Propagandists spread through anonymous telegram channels with pro-Russian rhetoric a photo of the book “War and the Bible”, where one of the chapters is allegedly called “Killing Russians is not a sin”. However, this is fake.

Analysts of the VoxCheck project drew attention to it. They found out that the book is being sold at the Kovcheh online store. On his website one can find its content, where there is no section “Killing Russians is not a sin”. The section on page 67 is actually titled “Who will win the future war”, which contradicts the image that the posters are spreading.

By spreading such fakes, propagandists want to justify Russia's actions and accuse Ukrainians of “blasphemy” and desecration of religion. They say that the Ukrainian authorities oppress the real sincere faith and adjust it to suit their political goals. Detector Media also wrote about other examples of the use of this message, in particular, about a fake with blackened crosses in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Fake On its cover, humorous magazine Charlie Hebdo depicted “enraged” Ukrainian saber fencer Olha Kharlan

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo recently allegedly featured an illustration on its cover of the recent situation at the World Fencing Championships in Milan. Then the Ukrainian saber fencer Olha Kharlan refused to shake hands with the losing rival from Russia. In the messages they add that the authors ridiculed the act of the Ukrainian athlete. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the StopFake project investigated this case and determined that such a cover does not exist. According to the archive, there is no magazine with this cover on the official website. At the same time, the false cover was made using Photoshop.

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 and supports Russia.

Fake Indian magazine Ananda Vikatan featured Zelenskyi on the cover as a Hobbit character in The Lord of the Rings

Such information was disseminated in social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that an Indian magazine recently ran a cover featuring Volodymyr Zelenskyi as Lord of the Rings character Gollum the Hobbit. Also on the cover there is an inscription: “No ring can help hide the truth”. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation investigated this case and found that such a cover does not exist. The fake cover states that it is scheduled for release on August 2, 2023. The announced magazine has a completely different cover as the official website of the magazine published the announcement of the magazine. 

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

Fake The Nation, the American edition, published a cover with Volodymyr Zelenskyi who keeps leopards on leashes

In the Georgian and Russian segments of Facebook, an alleged cover of the American edition of The Nation is being distributed, in which Volodymyr Zelenskyi holds three frightened leopards on leashes, mines lie next to them, and a little further under a tree there are Russian military men in helmets with the letter “Z”. The leopards allegedly personify the Leopard tanks handed over to Ukraine, which seem to be unable to break through the Russian defense line. It's fake.

The fact-checkers of the Myth Detector project drew attention to the case. They determined that The Nation had never published such a cover. Moreover, fact-checkers contacted the publication, where they confirmed that such a cartoon was not published in any issue of the magazine.

Russian propagandists systematically distribute fake covers of foreign publications. Thus, they are trying to ridicule Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the Ukrainian authorities and show that the West does not support Ukraine. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the humorous magazine LeMan depicted Zelenskyi on the cover, who was tied to a pole with burning military equipment.

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.