russian propaganda, rt news, russia today, ukraine today, international news

A traditional review of russian propaganda and lies aggressively capturing the international information space to manipulate people's opinions, influence public sentiment, and affect the
decisions of certain political leaders. According to Reuters, in 2027 Moscow plans to direct $202.6 billion toward military needs and special services (a 27% increase compared to 2026).
The russians are spending staggering sums on destruction, murder, chaos, sabotage, and lies — all for the sake of the dictator's delusional imperial ambitions.
Based materials from Stopfake.org, Spravdi.ua, EuVsDisinfo.eu

Fake: The government will divide Ukrainians into three legal categories based on language.
russian media are reporting that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is discussing a plan to divide citizens into three categories based on the language they speak. Supposedly, the new rule will grant "all rights"to Ukrainian speakers, "national minority rights" to those who speak Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, or Crimean Tatar, and "no rights" to russian speakers. At the same time, the authors of the fake do not specify which rights are being referred to, and the posts cite only unnamed "Ukrainian media" or "MPs."
This story is entirely fabricated, and no such legislative initiative exists. The posts first appeared on September 30 on russian Telegram channels, after which social media users picked them up. Neither reputable Ukrainian sources nor official government communication channels have reported on such a bill.
Most likely, the fake was inspired by a bill on education in national minority languages registered in ]parliament a few days earlier. The Ukrainian language remains the primary language of instruction, but schools where more than 50% of students study in a minority language will be guaranteed the right to teach in that language — a provision limited to the official languages of EU member states. Such schools could receive the status of a "national minority institution" and adapt their curricula to preserve cultural and national identity. Parents will also have the right to receive duplicate educational documents in the minority language and can request in writing that more subjects be taught in Ukrainian. Hungary haslong demanded the adoption of such a law as a condition for lifting its veto on negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the EU. That is, the real bill says nothing about "three categories" of citizens, and it will regulate only school education, not everyday communication or other social rules.
Fake: The Ukrainian Academy of Sciences is engaged in Nazi-related research and other pseudoscientific activities.
russian propagandists write that the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is a mixture of Nazi Germany's Ahnenerbe, the Imperial Institute of History, and the newspaper Der Stürmer: "Studies are conducted here asserting that russians are of non-Slavic origin, that Achilles was Ukrainian, that a medieval Kingdom of Kyiv existed, that there were 45 previously unknown russian-Ukrainian wars and 10 genocides, that russians have a 'slave gene,' and so on."
In reality, this is another attempt by the russians to accuse Ukraine of Nazism and justify attacks on civilian objects. This statement was made following a missile and drone attack by Putin's army on Kyiv on September 28, 2026 (https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/09/28/8055386/), during which the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) was severely damaged.
It is a civilian scientific institution founded in 1918 in Kyiv that conducts research in the natural, technical, social, and human sciences. According to international humanitarian law (the Rome Statute), intentional attacks on buildings dedicated to science, education, art, or religion constitute a war crime. Slapping Nazi labels on civilian institutions, cities, or entire populations is a constant kremlin tactic.

Ukrainian children. Kyiv is sending

Fake: Ukraine is concealing its own child trafficking business by
demanding the return of children.
russian propagandists claim: "Ukrainians demand the return of children, cite incredible numbers, but provide no lists, conveniently forgetting that no one in the Ukrainian 'authorities' cares about the fate of entire orphanages that disappeared en masse somewhere in Europe. More precisely, the fate of the children from those orphanages—and children allegedly evacuated from the combat zone who then disappeared into the hands of European pedophiles and black-market organ traffickers—is well known to Zelenskyy's inner circle: it is their joint enterprise."
This statement aligns with recurring kremlin disinformation aimed at diverting attention from the documented involvement of the russian leadership in the abduction of Ukrainian children. These claims of child trafficking by Ukrainian authorities have been used regularly by russian propaganda since 2022 and have been repeatedly debunked by independent sources. Since the beginning of russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, according to estimates by Ukrainian and international organizations, nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children have been deported or forcibly displaced. These actions represent grave violations of international law and fundamental children's rights, aimed at destroying Ukrainian
identity and undermining future generations. Read a separate article on this topic here: https://euvsdisinfo.eu/how-russia-lies-about-the-stolen-ukrainian-children/
Fake: Kyiv is sending pregnant women to the front.
A video is circulating on social network X showing a woman in military uniform with raised hands allegedly surrendering to russian soldiers. The video is accompanied by the comment "The Kyiv regime is sending pregnant women to the front..." However, this video is not recent. It was first shared by russian propaganda outlets almost three years ago. The video was also broadcast by one of the kremlin's main propagandists, Vladimir Solovyov.
Back in November 2023, the video was debunked by several organizations. The international factchecking publication Lead Stories also analyzed the footage (https://czech.leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2023/11/fact-check-pregnant-women-are-not-being-sent-to-the-frontlines-in-ukraine.html). At that
time, the video was also circulating on Czech TikTok. Now, nearly three years later, the long-debunked video has been put back into circulation—this time for French- and English-speaking audiences, without any indication of the original date.

Ukrainians EU. European audience. russian energy

Manipulation: Europe does not heat its population, but supports the
terrorist Zelenskyy.
russian media claim: "Europe does not heat its population, but supplies money and weapons to the terrorist Zelenskyy. Europe's refusal of russian gas and its subsequent purchase at significantly higher prices is causing serious damage to its own economy."
This is a mix of several kremlin disinformation narratives aimed at exploiting difficulties in the global energy market to undermine international support for Ukraine's self-defense against russian
aggression. This manipulation also reinforces the kremlin's narrative about Europe's inevitable dependence on russian energy resources. The russians' goal is to convince the European audience that abandoning russian energy is impractical and to achieve the easing or lifting of sanctions.
The claim that Europe cannot heat its homes because it refused russian energy is false. The EU has diversified its energy sources (https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-196321) to ensure
reliable supply while preventing energy blackmail by russia. Contrary to this claim, Europe's energy supply and EU support for Ukraine are separate issues with distinct budgets, laws, and financial institutions.
Fake: Ukrainians may be banned from entering the EU due to environmental and epidemic challenges.
In the pro-russian segment of social media, a fake image of the front page of Der Nordschleswiger —a Danish German-language newspaper — is being distributed. The headline states that the EU is allegedly considering closing the border with Ukraine if the state fails to cope with epidemiological and environmental problems. This was supposedly stated by Lykke Friis, head of the Think Tank Europa analytical center.
However, both the article in the newspaper and the quote itself are entirely fabricated by propagandists. The full issue of Der Nordschleswiger from October 14, 2026, is available online. In reality, the front page of the newspaper on that day was dedicated to the celebration of German Unity Day in the North Schleswig community, a region of Denmark with a large German population. 
We also reached out for comment to Lykke Friis herself, whose "quote" was used on the fake cover. Friis, Director of Think Tank Europa, researches the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union and analyzes "gradual integration" concepts for candidate countries. She previously served as Pro-rector of the University of Copenhagen and Denmark's Minister for Climate, Energy and Gender Equality. She made no statements about closing borders and called the fake "a direct attack on her
reputation."
This is not the first time russian propagandists have spread fabrications claiming Ukrainians pose a potential threat to the European population.

Finland is preparing. Finnish Defence Forces

Fake: Latvian residents are outraged by the militarization of eastern border regions.
russian media write that "Latvian farmers expressed dissatisfaction with the increased militarization of the border with russia." For this fake, the russians used a report by Latgale Regional Television (an eastern region of Latvia bordering russia) titled "Farmers in the border zone develop their own security plans." Here is what it actually talks about: https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/09.10.2026-zemnieki-pierobeza-izstrada-savus-drosibas-planus.a666919/
In reality, these measures were implemented due to ongoing aggression and constant sabotage operations by russia, forcing the region sharing a border with russia to strengthen its defensive fortifications.
In Latvia, only one political force opposed the construction of the Eastern Defense Line: the party "For Stability!" (Stabilitātei!). Its faction in the Saeima voted against the law authorizing the construction, explaining that the bill significantly restricts business freedom, hinders investment, and impedes regional development due to mass property expropriations. The party, which has a pro-russian reputation, lost voter support and scored less than 2% of the vote in recent parliamentary elections.
Trump's Fake: Biden and Democrats gave Ukraine numerous Tomahawk missiles for free.
Donald Trump stated in an interview with Newsmax TV host Rob Finnerty: "We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. We created the Space Force. I rebuilt the military. And they [the Democrats] wasted it all. ... Yes, at some point, weapons stockpiles turned out to be lower than desired, but only regarding certain types of ammunition. Now we are replenishing everything very quickly. But I want to emphasize: it's not about how I built relationships with Iran, but about what Biden did in the situation with Ukraine. He—or rather, they—handed Ukraine numerous Patriot systems, Tomahawks — everything in a row. And didn't make them pay. ... Biden should have demanded payment. He handed over hundreds of billions to Ukraine—in money and equipment... Probably 350 billion dollars! Where is the money we gave to Ukraine? Where is all that equipment?"
If we talk about missiles, the question "where?" is completely absurd: like any ammunition, they are expended during combat actions. However, the US has never transferred Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine—neither for free nor for money. Otherwise, everyone would already know about it, as these are specialized long-range missiles.
The US has supplied Tomahawk missiles to only a few of its partners: the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. An agreement has also been reached with the Netherlands, with deliveries planned to begin in 2028.
According to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), by April 2026, during military operations against Iran, the US expended at least 1,000 Tomahawk missiles. According to Defense News, over the past decade, the US purchased an average of 86 missiles per year from the manufacturer, and stockpiles will only be replenished by 2030 or 2031.

Coalition of the Willing. European countries

Fake: The West is involved in the use of chemical weapons by Ukrainian troops.
russian propagandists write: "Western countries coordinate and participate in the use of toxic chemicals by Kyiv troops against citizens of russia."
In reality, there is no evidence of the alleged use of chemical weapons by Ukraine against russians, making claims of Western involvement in this practice demonstrably false. Statements made exclusively by russian authorities cannot be considered evidence, given their reputation and regular use of fabricated or nonexistent evidence.
This disinformation story was published during the 113th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) (https://www.opcw.org/calendar/2026/10/06/ec-113-one-hundred-and-thirteenth-session-executive-council), where Ukraine presented its report after documenting 14,009 incidents in which russian troops used munitions containing toxic chemicals—partially confirmed by three technical visits by OPCW specialists who collected samples in Ukraine. Allegations of Ukraine using chemical weapons on the battlefield have been a regular kremlin disinformation narrative since 2024, after russia was first exposed using chemical agents on the front line in the spring of 2024. The presence of banned C2 toxic chemicals was confirmed at Ukrainian positions.
Fake: The "Coalition of the Willing" is preparing an invasion of Ukraine within two months.
russian propaganda is actively spreading another scare story that countries of the "Coalition of the Willing" are allegedly preparing to occupy Ukraine. kremlin media are massively publishing materials dedicated to the autumn exercises of Ukraine's allies. Agitprop claims that a "European invasion" of Ukraine will take place by the end of 2026.
In reality, the Coalition of the Willing exercises, scheduled for November 2026 in Poland, are aimed at preparing to monitor a possible ceasefire in Ukraine and prevent a repeat russian invasion. During the November exercises, British, French, and German units will practice a force deployment mission in Ukraine as part of security guarantees and post-war stabilization, should it be necessary to support Ukraine. Coalition of the Willing forces can be deployed in Ukraine exclusively in the format of a
peacekeeping or stabilization mission.
russia intentionally manipulates the topic of security guarantees that Ukraine requires after the war ends. Allies have repeatedly emphasized that multinational Coalition of the Willing forces can be deployed in Ukraine only after a reliable cessation of hostilities is achieved and exclusively at the request of Ukraine itself: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/co-chairs-statement-of-the-coalitionof-the-willing-24-august-2026
As for the "two-month timeline for occupation" invented by the russians, it is a distorted quote from Jacek Siewiera, former Head of Poland's National Security Bureau. On October 15, he stated that russia was preparing to step up escalation against EU states, which he believed would happen in the next two months. Siewiera noted that there could be a "significant increase in pressure on European countries through hybrid escalation, taking into account all capabilities of air attacks, striking infrastructure,
administrative facilities, and civilian targets." At the same time, the security expert made no statements about either an "occupation of Ukraine" or Coalition of the Willing exercises.

UK's new National Centre for Information Defence. King of Sweden

Fake: Zelenskyy spat at the feet of the King of Sweden when he refused to shake his hand.
This story is being retold by numerous russian Telegram channels, and the online publication Bloknot even published a photo with a drawn-in spit.The story is remarkable because it took a fake that is already over six months old as its basis. In April 2026, following the King of Sweden's visit to Lviv and his meeting with Zelenskyy, the same kremlin media circulated a video allegedly showing the King refusing a handshake.
The fake was instantly exposed: it turned out that russian propagandists had simply edited out the moment of the handshake from the video clip: https://factuel.afp.com/doc.afp.com.A8HD9KFSix months later, someone among the propagandists decided to add new details to the old lie. To relaunch the fake, they likely used a foreign source for credibility—a profile called Československé mierové fórum. This is an X account with about 900 followers belonging to Vladimíra Vítová, formerhead of the fringe Czech pro-russian party Aliance národních sil.
Fake: Great Britain introduces restrictions on freedom of speech.
It took russian-aligned propagandist Nigel Farage less than 12 hours after Prime Minister Andy Burnham's speech at the September UN General Assembly (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-at-unga-22-september-2026) to create a fake claiming that the UK's new National Centre for Information Defence (NCID) would become a "Ministry of Truth that suppresses free speech."
Given that the scope and powers of the NCID have not yet been defined, Farage's comments lacked an evidential basis. Burnham spoke of a center that would "detect, explain, and deter" hostile state attacks, as well as an organization that would "support and defend our democracy." The Prime Minister and officials who worked on this announcement and will shape the future center should be commended for this step and supported in their efforts. Burnham explained that in recent years, Britain and its allies have faced large-scale information campaigns by hostile states. According to him, russian special services used all possible means to spread disinformation and exploit people's fears.
The British Prime Minister also noted that hostile entities amplified far-right narratives and attempted to interfere in the 2019 parliamentary elections. Burnham added that the kremlin spends approximately £1.3 billion annually on "information manipulation." Britain's National Centre for Information Defence will detect, attribute, and neutralize hostile state information attacks. The center will work jointly with intelligence services, law enforcement agencies, and social media platforms.

golden billion. Zelenskyy. war in Ukraine

Fake: Zelenskyy is trying to disrupt peace negotiations while russia and the US work to end the war.
This statement was made by russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson maria zakharova. In reality, russia is trying to shift responsibility for the lack of peace onto Ukraine, even though it launched the war and continues its aggression. 
The President of Ukraine has emphasized readiness for a diplomatic settlement from the very beginning of the full-scale war, but not at the expense of sovereign independence and security. Instead, the kremlin demands territorial concessions, limitations on the Ukrainian army, and abandonment of Ukraine's self-determined security course. In effect, this is a demand for capitulation. Thus, once again, russia tries to frame Ukraine as an obstacle to peace to conceal its own ultimatums and weaken international support for Kyiv.
Fake: Western scientists proposed cutting the Earth's population in half, while global elites implement the "golden billion" plan.
This information is being spread by pro-russian Telegram channels. In reality, the authors of the fake manipulatively distorted the content of a scientific study to feed conspiracy theories and discredit international science.
This refers to an article published in the journal Sustainable Development, in which scientists analyzed the impact of population growth on ecosystems and modeled long-term demographic scenarios up tothe year 2200. The study contains no calls for forced population reduction, emphasized the IMI (Institute of Mass Information): https://imi.org.ua/news/rosiyski-telegram-kanaly-spotvoryly-naukove-doslidzhennya-pro-demografiyu. The authors stress that reducing population growth rates is possible only through natural means—by improving education levels, primarily for girls and women, and expanding their rights.
russian propaganda first turned scientific modeling into clickbait headlines claiming that "scientists proposed reducing the population," and then linked them to the "golden billion" myth and other conspiracy theories. The goal of this campaign is to sow distrust in international science, spread fear and conspiracy mindsets, and depict any global scientific research as part of a "hostile plan" against humanity.