Spilnota Detector Media

Fake Before Zelenskyi’s arrival, a billboard with the inscription “Glory to Urine” was installed in New York

Russian publications broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric, the speaker of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mariia Zakharova, distributed a video with the Fox News logo, where allegedly during Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s visit to the United States to participate in a meeting of the UN General Assembly, he was greeted with a billboard in yellow and blue and the inscription “Glory to Urine”. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the MythDetector project. An NBC investigative journalist determined that there is no such billboard in Times Square, at the intersection of 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue, where the billboard video was allegedly filmed. This inscription was added in the video editor, like the Fox News logo. Opposite the billboard is a McDonald's, which is not visible in the video. So, the propagandists used an old fake video, filmed in 2022, when there was no McDonald's in this place.

Fox News confirmed to Reuters that the video was not posted on its platform. And Erin Watkins, the chief lawyer of the Big Outdoor media company, which owns and manages part of the billboards in Times Square, commented to Reuters that photographs and videos with a banner and the inscription “Glory to the Urine” are 100% fake.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit the West and humiliate Volodymyr Zelenskyi, saying that his Western partners do not respect him and the whole world is against Ukraine. Previously, we refuted the fake news that an advertising banner with Zelenskyi was installed in New York with the inscription that “he earned more than the Barbie movie”.

Message Ukraine is not independent because its children sing the National Anthem in English

A number of anonymous telegram channels with pro-Russian rhetoric are disseminating information that on Ukraine’s Independence Day, children sang the Ukrainian Anthem in English. They say that this proves that Ukraine has, in fact, already fully become a “puppet” of the West, which means it has lost its independence.

The specialists from the VoxCheck project drew attention to the manipulation. They found out that the anthem was performed by students of Nadvirnianskyi Lyceum No. 1 in the Ivano-Frankivsk region and this video was posted on the official Facebook page of the institution on March 6, 2017. Accordingly, the children did not complete this version for Independence Day. Project analysts also note that international partners do not stop expressing their support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, citing numerous speeches by the US President, NATO Secretary General and other officials in Western countries. In addition, they remind that the anthem of Ukraine was also heard in concert halls of other countries, where spectators greeted it standing.

By spreading this message, propagandists want to undermine trust in Western partners and justify Russia’s crimes against Ukrainians. They say that Russia is really helping Ukraine maintain its independence in front of the “collective West” and if Russia loses, Ukraine will finally be occupied by Western countries. Detector Media has already written about how the Russians are scaring Ukrainians with the “occupation” of the western regions of the country by Poland.

Fake During one of Joseph Biden's speeches, people chanted obscene words

This information was disseminated by pro-Kremlin media. Reports say that Joseph Biden gave a speech to the Americans. However, according to the authors of the fake message, the crowd was unhappy with the politician and began chanting obscene words in response. The publications add that the angry crowd shouted “f*ck you, Joe”. To support this, the reports add video evidence that appears to be a real recording of the American president’s speech. It's a lie.

The VoxCheck project specialists were able to analyze the case, who verified the authenticity of the video and determined that it was compiled. In fact, obscene exclamations were added to the original audio track, allegedly aimed at the President of the United States. Using a reverse Google search, the fact-checkers also discovered a real video of Joe Biden's speech, which was published back in July 2022. In fact, the official’s clothes, accessories and the location of the shooting coincide with the propaganda heritage - most likely, the authors used this particular video to plant a fake. As for the speech itself, the politician spoke about introducing legislation that would strengthen the security of local communities. For example, the legislative initiative provides for limiting the use of weapons for certain categories of people.

Propagandists exploited a moment in the speech when a listener chimed in on Biden's speech, declaring that “Americans need to do more”. And the politician asked the listener to sit down. Moreover, others began to shout “”Joe Biden! Yes!”, that is, in this way they supported the official’s initiative.

Propagandists of the system are trying to discredit the US President by showing his “clumsiness” and “meaninglessness”. Allegedly, Ukraine’s strategic partner is not competent at all and does not deserve recognition. Thus, the authors ridicule Western leaders. But they are trying to point out that Russian politicians, say, are more conscientious and never have any incidents happen to them: they are “successful”, they are “supported everywhere” and are trying to “imitate”. Thus, Russian propaganda despises, for example, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, contrasting him with the standard bastions of Russian politics.

The analysts of Detector Media recently refuted similar cases about the head of the White House, where they tried to undermine his authority. Read the latest: how Joe Biden allegedly buys books about dementia, “sniffs” a teenager, or supposedly falls asleep during a meeting with the President of Israel.

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 A restaurant in Kyiv offers visitors “kebabs with Karabakh smoke” and a shot “to Pashynian”

Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric and users of the Russian segment of Facebook are disseminating information that the Kyiv Mama Gochi restaurant is supposedly running a special promotion - visitors are offered “kebabs with Karabakh smoke” and a shot “to Pashynian”. Russian propaganda is also distributing a video of a restaurant and a sign with the action. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the MythDetector project. The video, distributed by agitprop on September 20, has been edited. Russian propaganda shows a chalk inscription on a black board, where the center is noticeably darker than the edges. The Mama Gochi restaurant published a post on its Instagram page on the same day, where the real menu is visible on the board, and noted that this video is fake. In fact, there was neither such a kebab nor such a shot on the menu. Representatives of the restaurant informed the fact-checkers who contacted the police that this fake was damaging the reputation of Mama Gochi.

Moreover, the fact-checkers checked the video frames using the Forensic application, which allows one to extract metadata from documents on social networks, and the visual manipulation tool InVid. They found that Forensic shows one type of manipulation in place of the telegram channel logo and the menu board. It was also established that fake posts were spread by similar posts, published mainly on September 20, and the first videos appeared in the telegram channel “Ostashko! Important” (its logo is contained in the video), owned by a Russian propagandist.

Russian propagandists are trying to dehumanize Ukrainians and show them to be cruel. They say that the escalation of the armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh is a reason for jokes. By accusing Ukrainians of being indifferent and mocking towards other countries, Russia is diverting attention from its own crimes and the aggression it is showing towards Ukraine. Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that in Ukraine they sell the House of Trade Unions candle with the aroma of marshmallow on the fire.

Fake A security guard who accompanied Zelenskyi at the UN General Assembly started a fight in a New York bar

Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric and Kremlin propagandists are distributing a video of an employee of Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s security service allegedly accompanying him to the UN General Assembly allegedly starting a fight in New York at a local bar, The Campbell Bar, not far from the UN building. In the low-quality video, we first see footage of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation to the United States, and then the crush of a group of men. Russian propaganda refers to the American publication USA Today, which apparently published this video. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the StopFake project. The video published by propaganda is a forgery. It is impossible to identify the men in the video, and the text accompanying the video is riddled with errors. Fact-checkers analyzed the bar in the video and compared it with The Campbell Bar - they are visually different. Also, the bar administration, authorized representative of the company Scott Gerber, said in a comment to StopFake: “This video is a fake. This was not the case at the Campbell Bar”.

Moreover, the American publication USA Today did not publish material about the fight that Zelenskyi’s security guard allegedly started. There is no information on this case on the publication’s website or on the company’s social networks.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the Ukrainian delegation in the United States and reduce Western support. Previously, we refuted the fake that Suspilne compiled a video of Zelenskyi’s speech at the UN General Assembly.

Fake Compromising photos and videos with Rustem Umierov

A number of anonymous telegram channels disseminating pro-Russian rhetoric published photos and videos in which allegedly Defense Minister Rustem Umierov masturbates on camera and addresses a potential partner. The authors of such reports argue that such actions jeopardize Ukraine's reputation, especially in international negotiations, and show shortcomings in the selection of personnel in the Ukrainian government. In publications containing these materials, propagandists used disparaging language towards Umierov himself. However, these photos and videos are fake.

Specialists from the VoxCheck project drew attention to this. Using the sites Search4faces and PimEyes, they found out that the person in the video is indeed Russian Davyd Kasaiev. In particular, in the public domain one can find a photo of Kasaiev with the background that is visible in the “leaked” videos. Also, some telegram channels indicated that videos and photos with allegedly Rustem Umierov were filmed long before the start of his career. However, if one compares the photo of the real Umierov from 12 years ago and the videos published by the Russians, one can see the difference. In particular, one can see differences in the shape of the nose, face and eye shape. The timbre and manner of speech in the video do not match Umerov’s voice. In addition, such actions are not a characteristic of a politician’s professional activity and it is not worth assessing the reputation behind them, especially with the use of derogatory language.

Using such fakes, propagandists aimed to personally discredit Umierov before his appointment as Minister of Defense of Ukraine and prevent this. They continue their personal attacks on him, in particular by spreading fake quotes from Umierov, which we wrote about earlier.

Fake In its advertisement, the German fast food chain calls on to “talk about something more important than Ukraine”

Such information was disseminated in pro-Kremlin telegram channels. Reports say that the German fast food chain Burgermeister allegedly launched an advertising campaign - “to talk about something more important than Ukraine”. Instead, they suggest talking about “a new line of tasty and juicy burgers”. The publications add a screenshot allegedly from a promotional video. It's a lie.

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project analyzed this case and found out that the video was compiled using a video editor. At the same time, representatives of the German burger joint noted that they did not create such a campaign and had nothing to do with the creation of the video. And to edit this video, the propagandists used cuttings of various news stories about Ukraine, and in the second part of the video they placed a real Burgermeister advertisement posted on the main page of the site.

We have repeatedly debunked fake news regarding fake graffiti or covers on foreign magazines/newspapers or advertisements. 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: 

Allegedly, 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. Or about the fake cover of the numb Volodymyr Zelenskyi from the figure of the dictator Putin and Jesus Christ.

Fake Suspilne compiled a video of Zelenskyi’s speech at the UN General Assembly

Such information was disseminated on social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that on September 20, Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke at a special meeting of the UN Security Council dedicated to Russia’s war against Ukraine. At the same time, propaganda telegram channels promoted messages that the Ukrainian president was not supported and was not listened to during his speech; that Western officials “ran away” from the Security Council meeting room in protest against Zelenskyi. But in support of this thesis, the authors added video evidence - supposedly an excerpt from the live broadcast of the United News marathon, where Ukrainian media workers allegedly resorted to editing. So, at one of the moments in which Zelenskyi was giving a speech, they inserted what seemed to be a shot from the audience, as the president was already sitting and listening to someone. That is, they hinted that the Ukrainians were deceived in this way, just to create the impression that the hall was full during the official’s speech. And the anonymous telegrammers summed it up: “such a product will only be useful to the Ukrainian viewer”. However, this is a lie.

In fact, Zelenskyi’s speech was broadcast live at the Marathon with a completely different translation. This can be checked by comparing two video excerpts - a fake one and one from a real broadcast. That is, at least Suspilne has nothing to do with the probable compilation of the broadcast. But we managed to find a video with exactly the same translation as in the propaganda passage. It was published on the official TSN YouTube channel. However, the fake legacy here also differs from the broadcast: it does not record the moment when, during the delivery of a speech, the synchronization with Zelenskyi sitting in the hall is superimposed. It’s easy to determine this by starting from a fake video and finding that moment already in the TSN broadcast. Most likely, the video was edited by the authors of the fake publications. Information about the “editing” of the live broadcast was subsequently picked up by the Kremlin media.

Thus, propagandists are trying to portray Zelenskyi as an unsuccessful politician, whose opinion is not listened to or who is ignored at international events, “running away” from the meeting room. Among other things, fake makers are also trying to convince people that the President of Ukraine has usurped and owns the entire Ukrainian media space: it is known that the public broadcaster is financed from the state treasury and should not be influenced by political forces. And if journalists allegedly indulged Volodymyr Zelenskyi and compiled the moment for broadcast, the Ukrainian authorities are ready to direct the agenda, seemingly in places beyond the reach of the state, and impede freedom of speech.

Manipulation Ukraine proposes to bury dead military personnel in biodegradable capsule bags

In the Russian segment of the social network VKontakte, a video advertisement is being distributed in which environmentalists allegedly put forward a proposal to hide the Ukrainian military “in special biodegradable capsule bags". This development was allegedly presented on the air of the Ukrainian telethon “United News”. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the StopFake project. They found out that in fact such advertising does not exist, and Ukrainian environmentalists did not make such statements. Using an image search, experts found footage from the video - Russian propaganda used the presentation of the Capsula Mundi project by Italian designers Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel in 2016. Russians used these frames, added the “1+1” channel and the “United News” telethon, and read low-quality text.

Thus, Russian propagandists are trying to spread the message about high losses among the Ukrainian military and sow despondency among Ukrainian society. Previously, Detector Media refuted the fake that Defense Minister Umierov disclosed data on Ukraine’s losses during the counteroffensive.

Fake Russian troops shot down a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter

Propaganda resources began publishing reports about the “shooting down” of a Ukrainian Air Force helicopter in the area of the temporarily occupied Lyman without evidence. They say that the “first shots” of the Russian military’s successful testing of the Mi-8 helicopter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have appeared. However, this is fake.

Researchers at the StopFake project debunked this case using Google's reverse image search tool. As it turned out, the information provided is not true. These “first shots” only show a helicopter burning in the sky. They have nothing to do with the allegedly downed Ukrainian helicopter. An identical photograph has been used by various media outlets for several years. The oldest publications found by the search engine date back to 2020.

We also managed to find a video from which Russian propaganda took its “proof” of the alleged destruction of Ukrainian equipment. The British TV channel SkyNews published a video back in February 2020 with the same footage, but with a completely different caption. According to their journalists, it shows a Syrian military helicopter shot down by rebels. One can understand that this is the right helicopter from the same ignition of the fuselage (the place where fuel, landing gear, engines can be placed) of the aircraft and the color of the sky.

Previously, we also documented a similar hoax about the Russians “massively destroying” M1 Abrams tanks, although they had not even been delivered to Ukraine at that time. We also denied information that the Russians destroyed the first Leopard tank on the battlefield. This also turned out to be untrue.

Fake Ukrainian refugee set fire to DNA research center in California

Such information is disseminated on social networks, in particular, on telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports describe how a Ukrainian refugee allegedly set fire to a DNA research center in California. The reason for this crime, as telegram anonymous people say, was dissatisfaction with the genetic test conducted the day before. It turned out that the man is supposedly only 7.9% ethnic Ukrainian. Video evidence is added to the publications - a story from the international television company Al Jazeera. It is not true.

Analysts of the StopFake project analyzed the case and found that the news story was compiled, but there was no such news on the official pages on social networks or on the official website. At the same time, the compiled story is distributed only in the Russian segment of social networks.

According to Russian propagandists, the Ukrainian approached the well-known 23andMe laboratory in the United States. And fact-checkers are confident that if such an incident really occurred, the American media would cover such information. But no such mentions were found in the English-language segment of social networks or Google. Experts also recorded several signs of video compilation. Among these, the video fragments used in the video actually reflect other events. So the footage actually shows the arson of a prison lobby in the United States, which occurred in June 2023. And just this story was published on the official pages of one of the American media.

By spreading this fake news, the authors seek to demonize Ukrainian refugees and allegedly show how Ukrainians despise everyone and commit crimes outside their state. 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.

But at the same time, the Kremlin is promoting the thesis of “nationalist refugees” who are ready to commit any crime for “Ukrainian blood”. After all, the very reason for the probable crime was the fact that the Ukrainian refugee was dissatisfied with the DNA test and, moreover, questioned the results. This is not the first time Moscow has turned to this interpretation of Ukrainians—aggressive, ultra-nationalist and valuing only “Ukrainian blood”. That is, they once again called Ukrainians “Nazis”.

So, read the cases where Russian propaganda instrumentalized the following issues:

  • Women of Ukrainian fighters complain that their men are transfused with “Moscow blood”. 
  • Ukrainians prohibit foreign citizens from becoming blood donors.

Fake The military command of Ukraine created a petition for the dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada and the mobilization of deputies

The social network TikTok is distributing a video in which the military command of Ukraine, in particular Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Serhii Shaptala, Dmytro Marchenko  allegedly created a petition for the dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the subsequent mobilization of deputies. The video also features Vitalii Kim, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration. Social network users are encouraged to follow the link and sign the petition. It's fake.

The case was examined by fact-checkers from the Center for Countering Disinformation. In fact, such a petition does not exist, the video is fake, and the link to the petition leads to various telegram channels and third-party sites.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the military command of Ukraine and promoting the message that there is a conflict between it and the leadership of the state. Previously, we talked about a message that allegedly Zaluzhnyi “was asked to reduce the level of his publicity due to the conflict with Zelenskyi”.

Fake The US supplies drugs to the Ukrainian military

Such information was disseminated on social networks, in particular on anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that soldiers of the 79th separate air assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Zaporizhzia receive drugs from the United States namely ephedrine. Video evidence is added to publications. It's a lie.

Fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project analyzed this case and determined that the propaganda video was published in the fake telegram channel of the 79th separate air assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, where supposedly the military was receiving “another help from fellow Americans”. The video itself was published in the Russian segment of social networks, and the official channel of the 79th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces does not exist in the telegram. Most likely the video is compiled. At the same time, a USAID representative stated that the United States did not supply ephedrine or any other substances for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Ukraine.

In addition, Russian channels claim that the military received ephedrine in Zaporizhzhia. However, the 79th brigade operates in the Mariinsk and Uhledar directions of the Donetsk region. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in July.

By the way, read how the Russians create fake accounts of the Ukrainian military on social networks and what the Kremlin achieves in this way.

Message “Unknown” vaccines are being tested on Ukrainian Defense Forces soldiers

This thesis was spread on social networks, in particular in telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. Reports say that the so-called Western biological laboratories have already flooded the whole of Ukraine and are conducting experiments on the military there: in particular, they are testing vaccines of “unknown” origin. The experiments are allegedly carried out by the Pharmabiotest company, which is allegedly affiliated with clinics in the USA. The authors add that in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, Russian troops found the corresponding “documents” confirming the testing. Interviews with supposedly Ukrainian prisoners of war are added to the publications.

VoxCheck project analysts analyzed this case and came to the conclusion that the Russians did not provide any evidence or documents in their publications to support their thesis. Moreover, the fact-checkers were unable to identify the characters in the video. That is, probable military prisoners of war. They suggest that the videos could have been compiled and passed off as Ukrainian prisoners. Or the occupiers forced the Ukrainian military to lie, blackmailing them in any way. After all, Russia can use prisoners of war for its own political purposes. For example, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned such actions by Russia.

Read what is happening to Ukrainian soldiers behind the walls of Russian prisons in the Human Rights Media Initiative. Because intimidation, constant terror and blackmail are the actions of the Russians towards Ukrainian captives.

By the way, Pharmabiotest is a real laboratory where experiments are carried out. However, on the website of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine there is a list of all possible experiments conducted by different clinics. Therefore, Pharmbiotest conducted studies on the bioavailability of drugs such as Adesin, Tenzocard, Klovask, etc. All these names are common drugs. There is no mention of vaccine testing on the clinic's website. That is, propagandists threw in information without confirmation.

Fake A protest rally was held in Odesa, people demanded “Ukraine without Zelenskyi”

In the Russian segment of Facebook and TikTok, a video allegedly from a protest in Odesa was distributed. People went to the rally allegedly to demand “Ukraine without Zelenskyi”. It is not true.

The case was investigated by the MythDetector project fact-checker. They found that the people in the video did not demand Zelenskyi's resignation, but took to the action against the allocation of funds from the budget for the repair of the Kyiv District Court and the Theater for Young Spectators. People gathered for the action in Odesa for several days in a row, starting from August 28. On September 2, they came out with posters “First the Armed Forces of Ukraine, then everything else”, “My taxes for the Armed Forces of Ukraine”, “The Armed Forces of Ukraine in the first place”. The Facebook users themselves who shared this video are posting posts broadcasting Kremlin narratives.

Thus, the Russian propaganda is trying to spread the opinion that Ukrainians do not support Volodymyr Zelenskyi, but rather demand his resignation. Like, they are dissatisfied with the president of the country and the decisions they make. Earlier, we talked about the manipulation that in Polish online stores Zelenskyi's book is sold in the section about the Nazis.

Fake The BBC reported that Yevhenii Pryhozhyn was alive and that the plane crash was staged by the Russian authorities

In the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, the Russian segment of Facebook, TikTok and the social network VKontakte banned in Ukraine, anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are disseminating an alleged BBC News report about the head of the Wagner group. The video with footage from the crash site and photographs of Pryhozhyn contains the following text: “An Air Force source refutes the information about the death of the owner of the Wagner group. According to the information, the plane crash was staged by the Russian authorities, and Yevhenii Pryhozhyn is alive”. It's fake.

The case was studied by Reuters fact-checkers. Such a video was not distributed on the official pages of the BBC in the social network X, in the accounts of the broadcaster in English on Instagram and Facebook. In a comment to Reuters fact-checkers, a BBC spokesman said: “We are aware of this fake video and our lawyers are urgently investigating. In a world where disinformation is on the rise, we encourage everyone to check links and URLs to make sure they're getting news from a trusted source”.

Russian propaganda is trying to fuel the conspiracy theory that Pryhozhyn is actually alive and that his death was staged. The Russians need such mythologization in order to glorify the leader of the Wagner group, to raise the morale of the Russians and to absolve themselves of responsibility for the likely downing of the plane. Detector Media talked about messages spread by Russian propagandists, authors of anonymous telegram channels and pro-Kremlin media after the death of Wagner leader Yevhenii Pryhozhyn.

Fake A video has appeared of how Russia destroyed British transport ships with missiles in Odesa

In the American, Chinese and Russian segment of social networks, in particular on Facebook and Twitter, a video is being distributed, which allegedly shows how 4 Russian missiles hit two British cargo ships with explosives. Allegedly, a powerful explosion destroyed the Odesa port, this is shown from 11 different angles. It is not true.

The case was investigated by the fact-checker of the Correctiv project. The video does not show the ships, namely it was filmed several years ago. The video shows an explosion in the port of Beirut that occurred on August 4, 2020. Fact-checkers translated and found that all the frames show an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. This is evidenced, for example, by a high-rise building, which is on the propaganda video and the video from the explosions in Beirut 3 years ago.

Moreover, the UK does not provide Ukraine with weapons ships. As for Odesa port, at the initiative of the UN, through the mediation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, they were allowed to transport only grain and other food products and fertilizers.

By spreading such fakes, Russian propaganda is trying to sow despondency and panic among Ukrainians and convince people that the Russian army is very powerful and destroys equipment and weapons transferred by Western partners. Earlier, we refuted the fake that the Ukrainian military fired at the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline.

Fake Deutsche Welle, German media, made a video about an anti-Ukrainian flash mob taking place in Poland

Information is spreading in the Kremlin media and the Russian segment of Facebook that the supposedly German media Deutsche Welle made a video about an anti-Ukrainian flash mob in Poland. Essentially, it is about the Poles who allegedly renamed Wi-Fi networks using offensive words for refugees from Ukraine. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checkers of the StopFake project. There is no video about the anti-Ukrainian flash mob in Poland on the official website and social networks of the Deutsche Welle media. Fact-checkers did not find the video either in the Polish or in the English version of the site. Moreover, the Polish edition commented that they “are not the authors of this film”.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit the people of Poland, saying that they have a bad attitude towards Ukrainian refugees. Russian propagandists are trying to stir up conflict between Poles and Ukrainians. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that Poland and Lithuania approved a plan to annex the western part of Ukraine.

Fake An advertisement about high losses among the Ukrainian military is broadcast on the YouTube platform

On the YouTube platform, advertisements are being distributed regarding the high losses among the Ukrainian military. The video says that “350,000 warriors sacrificed themselves so that we remember”. The video accompanies the text that the United24 fund allegedly accidentally disclosed the losses. It's fake.

The case was noticed at the Center for Counteracting Disinformation. Earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar commented in her telegram channel on information about the alleged number of dead Ukrainian soldiers, which appears in various publications, including foreign ones. She said: “During martial law, this information is a state secret. Not because someone wants to hide, but because this is a requirement of the military”. Maliar explained that the enemy could use data on the dead and wounded in order to calculate their further actions.

By launching fake ads about losses among the Ukrainian military, Russian propaganda is trying to sow panic and despondency among Ukrainians and discredit the authorities, saying that it is silent about the true number of deaths and the United24 fund, which raises funds for the army and humanitarian needs. Earlier, we refuted the fake advertisement about Zaluzhnyi, that claimed that the Foreign Ministry allegedly hides his incompetence.

Fake American actress Priscilla Presley urged Volodymyr Zelenskyi to be treated for drug addiction

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric are circulating a video message from American actress Priscilla Presley to Volodymyr Zelenskyi, in which she allegedly urges him to seek help for drug addiction. The actress allegedly posted the video on her Instagram page. It's fake.

The case was investigated by fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation. There is no video message to Volodymyr Zelenskyi of Priscilla Presley's social networks, and the only source where this video was distributed are pro-Kremlin telegram channels.

This fake is part of an enemy campaign to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Like, the president of Ukraine is a drug addict, so he makes a decision in a state of altered consciousness. Earlier, we refuted fakes that American boxer Mike Tyson and American actors Elijah Wood, Dean Norris and John McGinley called on Zelenskyi to be treated for alcohol and drug addiction.

Fake A video is circulating on the network of how a Russian Su-57 aircraft shoots down all NATO F-16 fighters in Ukraine

A video is circulating on the American segment of Facebook and YouTube, which allegedly captures the moment when a Russian Su-57 aircraft shoots down NATO F-16 fighters in Ukraine. The Facebook user account that shared the video has the description “creator of the game video”. Also, some users asked if this was already the beginning of the Third World War and wrote that they “did not know that NATO was participating” in the war. It's fake.

The case was studied by Reuters fact-checkers. Pavel Kryzka, public relations manager for Bohemia Interactive, the creators of Arma 3, said in an email that the footage circulating on the Internet was taken from a modified Arma 3 game. Some social media users also recognized the game in the video, but others perceived the footage as real fights.

Thus, Russian propaganda want to show that the Russian “second army of the world” is powerful, therefore it wins on the battlefield, and also that Russia is at war with NATO on the territory of Ukraine. With such fakes, propagandists intimidate Westerners and seek to reduce assistance to Ukraine from Western partners. Earlier we talked about the manipulation that NATO could agree to send troops to the territory of Ukraine.

Disclosure A video with a downed plane, on board of which there allegedly was Yevhenii Pryhozhyn, is being circulated online

In the American segment of Facebook and the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, in the Ukrainian and Russian segments of TikTok, a video is being distributed, which allegedly records the moment of the downing of an Embraer aircraft belonging to the leader of the Wagner group Yevhenii Pryhozhyn. The plane crashed on August 23, 2023 near the village of Kuzhenkino, Bolohivskyi district, Tver region, and group commander Dmytro Utkin was on board with it. It is not true.

Reuters fact-checkers investigated the case. The video recorded the crash of another aircraft, which occurred 2 months before August 23. This video first appeared on June 24, 2023, depicting a plane crash in the Voronezh region of Russia during the end of the Wagner protest. The video shows the fall of the Il-22 near Kantemyrivka.

Earlier, Detector Media refuted the fake that a Wagner group fighter posted a photo proving that he was at the Polish border.

Manipulation Supermarket chain Novus sells military energy drinks

In the Ukrainian segment of Facebook, a video is being circulated where the Novus supermarket chain allegedly sells a batch of Ukie energy drinks, which was allegedly intended for the military. This is manipulation.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. The video does not show the entire inscription placed on the bank with the energy drink. In fact, it says: “Monthly, a free supply of Ukie energy drinks is donated to the military”. Consequently, the energy producer gives a batch free of charge every month, but nowhere is it indicated that this particular batch in the Novus supermarket chain was intended for the military. Producers of the energy drink “First Private Brewery” also talked about the campaign in their social networks. The author of the video manipulated by showing only part of the inscription.

Thus, they are trying to sow discord among Ukrainians, saying that some people profit during the war. Earlier, we refuted the fake that Ukrainian military equipment is being sold at the car market in Poland.

Fake American actor John McGinley urged Volodymyr Zelenskyi to be treated for drug addiction

Russian media broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric published a video on Instagram and YouTube in which American actor John McGinley, who played the role of Dr. Cox in the TV series Clinic, allegedly urges Volodymyr Zelenskyi to start drug addiction treatment and take care of himself. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the fact-checkers of the StopFake project. Actor John McGinley does not have an Instagram account and did not publish his appeal to Volodymyr Zelenskyi. To create this fake, Russian propaganda used the cameo.com website, where one can order a celebrity appeal for a certain amount. The video only mentions the name Volodymyr, but there is no mention of Ukraine.

This is not the first time propagandists have been spreading the message that Volodymyr Zelenskyi has a drug addiction, and the whole world is trying to call him for treatment. Earlier, we refuted fakes that American boxer Mike Tyson and American actors Elijah Wood and Dean Norris called on Zelenskyi to be treated for alcohol and drug addiction.