Spilnota Detector Media

Fake Under the guise of mobilization, the Russian-speaking population is being destroyed in Ukraine

Russian propaganda media are disseminating information that the largest mobilization is taking place in the Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine. Russian propaganda notes that this is genocide - under the pretext of conflict, the Russian-speaking population is destroyed, but sometimes they are forced to mobilize residents of western Ukraine. It is not true.

EUvsDiSiNFO fact-checkers drew attention to the case. There are no facts or evidence that mobilization in Ukraine is aimed at the Russian-speaking population. The idea that Ukraine is committing genocide of its own population is promoted in his speeches by Volodymyr Putin. However, there is no evidence to support this in the reports of the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the OSCE.

It is Russia that attacks Ukrainian cities where many Ukrainians live who use the Russian language, such as Odesa or Kharkiv.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to sow discord between the Russian-speaking population and the Ukrainian-speaking population, to divide them and discredit the authorities. Also, Russian propagandists are trying to shift responsibility for the crimes of Russians onto Ukrainians.

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 Oleksii Reznikov was fired from the post of Minister of Defense due to the fact that the war in Ukraine dragged on

The Kremlin media are spreading information that the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov was removed from his post, allegedly due to the fact that “the conflict with Russia dragged on”. Russian propaganda refers to an article in The New York Times. It is not true.

The fact-checkers of the StopFake project drew attention to the case. After analyzing the New York Times article cited by Russian propagandists, they came to the conclusion that the publication did not indicate this reason as the key reason for the dismissal of Oleksii  Reznikov. “The fate of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has become the subject of growing speculation in Ukraine as financial irregularities at the ministry became known and the government launched several investigations into official corruption”, the NYT article says. They also add that as the war dragged on, there was a need for new leadership that could solve the accumulating problems.

Thus, Russian propaganda discredits the Ukrainian authorities and tries to shift the responsibility to Ukraine - they say, it is to blame for the duration of the war that Russia started. Russian propaganda uses the “most guilty” tactics.

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 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.

Fake Child trafficking has been allowed in the United States

Such information was disseminated on social networks and propaganda media. Reports say California has allegedly blocked a bill that would have made trafficking of minors a serious crime. The authors report that California leads the nation in child trafficking cases. And they sum up: “this situation is the result of the policy of Joseph Biden”. It is not true.

Analysts from the VoxCheck project analyzed this case and explained that child trafficking is punishable by law in the United States. In fact, at the time of the spread of messages on social networks, senators unblocked consideration of a bill to make trafficking in minors a serious crime. Accordingly, Joe Biden could not revoke an executive order aimed at combating child trafficking. That is, propagandists distorted information about the bill itself and wrote that it was allegedly blocked. Although in general we are not talking about objecting to the crime of trafficking in children, but only about strengthening the responsibility for the crime. And revision to the law.

Under current California law, trafficking in minors is punishable by up to 12 years in prison. At the same time, sexual exploitation of a minor, accompanied by coercion, deceit, intimidation, can lead to imprisonment for 15 years or life.

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 In Romny in the Sumy region, the Russians destroyed the Ukrainian Armed Forces base

Such information was disseminated in social networks and propaganda media. The reports say that on August 23, 2023, the Russians shelled the Sumy region and the city of Romny. The authors added that the invaders managed to destroy the school where the Ukrainian Defense Forces were located. The publications added that only the Ukrainian military suffered from the missile attack. It is not true.

The VoxCheck project specialists investigated the case and found that in fact there were no military among the victims. Instead, the occupiers fired on civilians - and they fired on a civilian object, not a military one. Particularly the local school. Four people were killed in the attack by Shahed drones: a school principal, a deputy principal, a secretary and a librarian. Also four civilians were injured who were passing by the school and came under fire. The head of the Romny Regional Military Administration explained that at the time the drone hit the school, there were 19 teachers. One of the eyewitnesses, a primary school teacher at the Romny school, also confirmed the presence of employees at the school. That is, the authors are trying to deny their own attacks and hits on civilian infrastructure. They disfigure reality and convince themselves of their “truth”. And they say: wherever they went, there were definitely soldiers there. However, the authors do not provide any facts and reject any reproaches in their direction.

The occupiers are constantly working on similar tactics: wherever the shelling occurs, it is allegedly justified. But documented cases of Russian terror testify otherwise. By the way, one  can read the chronology of Russian shelling of residential and civilian objects here. Also, check out fakes on similar topics, in which Russian propaganda denied shelling civilian infrastructure, justifying itself by “NATO headquarters”:

For example, when the Russians allegedly fired at a meeting of Lithuanian and Polish NATO officers in Chernihiv, but in fact the invaders got into the local drama theater. Or a case where propagandists tended to believe that the terrorist shelling of Odesa in July was a shelling of weapons production sites. And not on the cultural sites of Ukraine, included in the UNESCO world heritage, as it really is. Or, let's say, how the occupiers “destroyed” the ammunition depot in Uman. We found out that the Russians hit an industrial facility and a car wash. And finally, read here how a propaganda shelling of the residences of “NATO instructors” in Kramatorsk turned out to be a terrorist attack on a local cafe.

Fake Japanese tactical first aid kits for humanitarian aid are being resold in Ukraine

This information was disseminated on social networks, in particular in the Ukrainian segment of Facebook. Reports say that Japan allegedly donated 200 thousand units of first aid kits for free to the Ukrainian defense forces. The authors convince us: it turned out that these same first-aid kits were found for resale in Ukrainian pharmacies at a price of 2,640 per set. It's a lie.

Fact-checkers of the VoxCheck project analyzed this case and found out that the authors of fake publications did not indicate any details about the so-called resale of tactical first aid kits. For example, a probable place of resale or just photo evidence in the publications was not found. That is, this is just a stuffing of information, because the authors did not provide any evidence. The fact-checkers emphasize that at present there are also no official reports about the transfer of exactly 200,000 first-aid kits by Japan to Ukraine. And through a reverse Google search, they were able to discover how the same resale information was published a year ago. Obviously, as in the first case, so in the second - this is not true.

By spreading this fake news, propagandists seek to demoralize the military, who allegedly do not receive proper medical care. It’s as if Ukraine is stealing everything and using it for its own selfish purposes. Moreover, the rhetoric about the misuse of humanitarian aid is beneficial to the Kremlin in order to fuel distrust of Ukraine among its foreign partners. They say there is no point in increasing aid if Ukrainian officials allow resources to be stolen.

By the way, the fact-checkers also wrote how Japan has helped Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion: their non-governmental organization Peace Winds Japan donated more than a million units of medical supplies to Ukraine. And in July 2022, Japan provided Ukraine with 60 tons of medicines, among which there were indeed tactical first aid kits. However, not in the amount of 200 thousand.

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 The Russians destroyed the third air defense system “Patriot” at the Zhuliany airport

Russian media and anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric spread information that Turkish media reported the destruction of the Patriot air defense system at the Zhuliany airport in Kyiv. It seems to be the third anti-aircraft missile system destroyed by the Russians, out of five. It's fake.

The case was investigated by the VoxCheck fact-checker. They established that neither Ukrainian nor Western or Turkish media wrote about the destruction of the third Patriot air defense system in Zhuliany. Moreover, according to data from open sources, Ukraine has only 2 anti-aircraft missile systems. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced in April 2023 that the United States, Germany and the Netherlands had transferred the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. However, the Netherlands did not transfer the system itself, but two launchers and missiles for them.

Thus, the Russian propaganda is trying to sow despondency and panic among Ukrainians, they say, the Patriot air defense system has been destroyed, therefore Ukraine is unprotected. And they also try to convince people that the Russian army seems to be constantly defeating and destroying equipment that is transferred by Western partners. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that in May Russia “destroyed” five Patriot launchers.

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 On Independence Day, Ukrainian refugees beat Poles in Warsaw for refusing to shout Nazi slogans

Anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric and some users on social networks spread information that on August 24, Independence Day, 12 Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw allegedly beat Poles because they refused to shout Nazi slogans, namely “Glory to Ukraine”. This is a fake.

The case was studied by the fact-checkers of the Center for Strategic Communications. On the night of August 24-25, a skirmish really took place on the boulevards near the Vistula river, in which 13 people participated. The Warsaw Police Headquarters posted a message on the website in this regard. It says that the conflict involved, in particular, the citizens of Georgia, who were recognized as aggressors, and there were no people who had “identity cards of Ukrainian nationality”.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit Ukrainian refugees and turn Polish citizens against Ukrainians. Like, they create problems in Europe. Recently, Detector Media denied a fake that Ukrainian refugees caused an outbreak of an infectious disease in Rzeszow, Poland.

Fake In the advertising of the communications operator Kyivstar information was disclosed about the real losses of Ukraine in the war

Russian propagandists are spreading information that the Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar allegedly disclosed real losses among the Ukrainian military in the war against Russia in the promotion of a charity initiative. Allegedly, the company has created a video in which it encourages sending text messages to dead servicemen, but hundreds of thousands of defenders will not be able to respond to the messages. This is fake.

The case was investigated by fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation. They checked the information at the Kyivstar company, where they were told that the telecommunications operator did not conduct similar actions and did not release a promotional video.

Russian propagandists are trying to intimidate Ukrainians and discredit the military leadership by spreading fakes about casualties among the Ukrainian military. They say that the authorities are silent about real losses so that people are not afraid of mobilization. Earlier, we refuted the fake that in Ternopil they threatened to cut off the gas and hot water to conscripts who do not come to the Territorial centers of procurement and social support.

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.

Fake The Pope of Rome was added to the Peacemaker database in recognition of the greatness of Russia

Pro-Kremlin media disseminated information that Ukrainians allegedly included Pope Francis in the Peacemaker database, which publishes enemies of Ukraine and is a center for researching signs of crimes against Ukraine’s national security, peace, human security and international law. Pope Francis allegedly came to this site due to the fact that he called on Russians “not to abandon the legacy of the majestic empire”. It's fake.

The case was investigated by fact-checkers of the Center for Countering Disinformation. The propagandists came up with this news, because there is no mention of Pope Francis on the website of the Peacemaker. That is, it was not included in the database.

Thus, Russian propaganda is trying to discredit Ukraine and worsen its relations with Western partners and world leaders on the basis of religion. Earlier, Detector Media denied the fake that Pope Francis called for the release of Pavlo Lebed, Metropolitan of the UOC-MP, from arrest.

Fake Ukraine accused China and TikTok of a “failed counteroffensive”

Russian media spread information that Ukraine allegedly blamed China and the TikTok social network for the failure of the counteroffensive. They say that the Armed Forces of Ukraine “prevented the attack of Chinese hackers” and social networks. However, this is a fake.

Specialists of the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that Ukraine did not make any statements about the “failure of the counteroffensive” and accused China. The fake was created on the basis of a long interview with Ukrainian cybersecurity expert Vitalii  Yakushev on the My — Ukraine channel. In particular, he did not make a statement about a counteroffensive, but spoke only about security in the digital world. Yakushev noted that the TikTok application has access to all information on the smartphones of both ordinary users and military personnel. Representatives of Western security services and governments of Western countries have repeatedly noted that the Chinese company ByteDance, which is the owner of the social network, is subject to a number of Chinese laws in the field of national security, obliging businesses to cooperate with state intelligence.

By creating and spreading fakes about the counteroffensive, propagandists want to create a false impression that the Ukrainians are losing on the battlefield. Detector Media has repeatedly written about how Russian propaganda lies about the Ukrainian military and the situation at the front, including the fact that Ukraine allegedly killed a Russian journalist with American cluster shells.

Fake Ukrainian refugees caused an outbreak of an infectious disease in Polish Rzeszow

Social networks and Russian media disseminate information that the outbreak of a dangerous legionellosis disease in the Polish city of Rzeszow is allegedly associated with Ukrainian refugees living in a local aid center. However, this is fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They found out that this statement is unfounded, since it is not yet known what exactly became the source of the infection. The World Health Organization reports that there have been no cases of direct human-to-human transmission as of now. Poland's Internal Security Agency is investigating whether the outbreak could have been a sabotage. Since mid-August, an outbreak of legionellosis has been detected in Rzeszow, 100 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, which has killed 8 people and infected more than 100. Its causative agent, legionella, infects lung tissue and leads to the development of a severe form of pneumonia.

By creating and spreading such fakes, propagandists want to discredit Ukrainian refugees. Like, they are only the cause of problems in European countries. Detector Media has repeatedly written about how Russian propaganda humiliates them, in particular, as in a fake that Ukrainian refugees in Germany allegedly beat a Slovene because they confused the Slovenian flag with the Russian one.

Fake Ukrainian refugees in Germany beat a man because they confused the Slovenian flag with the Russian one

Information is spreading on social networks that Ukrainian refugees in Germany allegedly beat a Slovene because he was holding the flag of Slovenia, which they confused with the Russian one. There is also another version of the event, according to which a German of Slovenian origin hung the flag of Slovenia near his house. A video with him got on the Internet, after which the Ukrainians allegedly beat him. At the same time, propagandists use a video that shows the logo of the European edition of Euronews. However, this is fake.

Specialists in the StopFake project drew attention to it. They could not find a single fact confirming that this event actually happened. In addition, there is not a single mention of such an incident in open sources and German media, as well as on Euronews itself. StopFake notes that this story was only spread by foreign propaganda resources and telegram channels.

By creating and spreading such fakes, propagandists want to discredit Ukrainian refugees. Like, they are uneducated and ungrateful, because they attack everyone with flags that resemble the colors of a Russian. Detector Media has repeatedly written about how Russian propaganda humiliates Ukrainian refugees, in particular, as a manipulation that a Ukrainian refugee allegedly destroyed a monument to the Polish military.

Fake The EU will form battalions for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Ukrainian refugees

Such information was disseminated by anonymous telegram channels broadcasting pro-Kremlin rhetoric. The reports note that in Europe they decided to “get rid” of Ukrainian refugees, so they will allegedly be mobilized and subsequently sent to the front. The authors add, they say, this applies, first of all, to all men of military age. It looks like they will be deported. It is not true.

Fact-checkers of the StopFake project investigated this case and explained that the “deportation of men liable for military service” is not possible at all, since there is no legal basis. The point is that Ukrainian diplomatic institutions cannot deport Ukrainians for mobilization, just as structures in the EU are not authorized to form any units from Ukrainians on their territories. That is, no such mechanism simply exists.

In addition, experts added that the Border Guard Service of Ukraine can investigate crimes of illegal border crossing under martial law. And, for example, trying to return a man liable for military service to Ukraine if he illegally crossed the border.

The EU is consolidated in its position that they do not deport anyone against their will. According to EU law, all Ukrainians who arrived in the region after the start of a full-scale invasion fall under the protection of the Temporary Protection Directive.

By spreading such a fake, propagandists are trying to convince that there is no one left to fight in Ukraine and the country's leadership resorts to tricks and wants to mobilize Ukrainian refugees.

Fake Zelensky's mother-in-law bought a villa on the Egyptian coast with Western humanitarian aid to Ukraine

Such information is disseminated in the Nigerian media segment. Reports say Volodymyr Zelenskyi allegedly purchased a villa for his mother-in-law, Olha Kyiashko. In the material, the media provide evidence of the purchase of the villa, in particular, they show the relevant documents on the purchase. They also add a “video of investigative journalist” Mohammed Al-Alawi. Subsequently, this information was disseminated by anonymous Russian propaganda telegram channels, reporting that Zelenskyi makes all purchases “from the pockets of taxpayers”. It's a lie.

First of all, the “material-investigation” includes many factual errors. The authors provide a photo of an alleged document on the purchase of real estate, where the future owner of the house is indicated. So the document says that he owns the house of Olha KIYASHKO, although according to the current standards of the state migration service, the transliteration on all documents would look like this - Olha KYIASHKO. The authors did not prove the authenticity of such a “document” and did not explain where they got it from. What the authors were asked more than once in the comments under the video. That is, the contract for the purchase of a villa, at least, does not exactly apply to Olha Kyiashko.

Moreover, regarding the “journalistic investigation video”, it was published on a YouTube channel created a few days before the information about the purchase was thrown out. And the post of the investigative journalist himself raises many questions. Since, upon request in the search engine, Mohammed Al-Alawi, the investigative journalist gives only a link to the material about the purchase of the villa and no additional information about this person. In general, the text is full of value judgments and false information.

Russian propaganda is trying to portray Ukraine as a cradle of corruption in order to devalue and level Ukrainian intentions to fight corruption and further European integration measures. Allegedly, Ukrainian officials are buying up real estate for misappropriated funds from Western partners. In addition, the fight against corruption is one of the requirements of European integration. By dispersing such fakes, propagandists are trying to show that corruption cannot be fixed in Ukraine, which is why it will be taken into the EU or NATO.