russian propaganda. The U.S. imposed sanctions

russia stubbornly holds the lead in generating various lies, disinformation and manipulation of facts. This is the main means of existence of the criminal totalitarian regime in the kremlin, which is not given peace by the opposition to an independent Ukraine, the positions of the democratic European Union and the entire free world. Unfortunately, we are forced to continue the fight against propaganda. Support us.
Based materials from Stopfake.org, Spravdi.ua, EuVsDisinfo.eu

Fake: Americans killed a seven-year-old russian girl in Luhansk.
Former Polish presidential candidate Seb Ross writes about this. In reality, the photograph of the girl published by Ross is a stock image — it even contains a watermark with the name of the stock platform.
Seb Ross is an activist of the Polish diaspora in the United Kingdom and holds pro-russian views: https://naszwybir.pl/oko-press-16-z-37-kandydativ/
He claimed that “when he becomes president, he will visit moscow,” and also asked the question: “Why should I hate russians?” Ross has repeatedly stressed that he supports Poland’s withdrawal from the EU.
Ross published the fake about a russian girl “killed by Americans in Luhansk” in response to the news that russians killed a seven-year-old Polish girl during a shelling of Ternopil. Most likely, russian propaganda is trying to shift responsibility for the killing of children in Ukraine away from itself.
Manipulation: The U.S. imposed sanctions against Ukraine because of Iran.

In reality, the U.S. imposed targeted sanctions only on two Ukrainian companies, which are suspected of assisting Iran—not on Ukraine as a state. These two companies participated in international supply schemes for components used in Iran’s production of ballistic missiles and drones, thus violating export control rules or contributing to Iran’s military programs.

Therefore, the claim that the U.S. “imposed sanctions against Ukraine” is false. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Iran uses extensive international networks to launder money, procure high-tech components, and support terrorist groups. The new U.S. sanctions list includes companies and individuals from Iran, the UAE, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine. This shows that the measures target a global supply network, not a specific country.

The organizer of the scheme, according to the U.S. Treasury, is Iranian citizen Bahram Tabibi, the de facto owner of both Ukrainian companies.

Baltic states. Ukrainian Armed Forces. NATO defense

Lie: Ukrainians tried to “trick” the Institute for the Study of War into publishing fake articles about Ukrainian successes in Pokrovsk.

This is claimed by russian Telegram channels, which spread a fake video allegedly created by the Institute for the Study of War. In fact, the video is fabricated. russian propagandists borrowed several frames from a real ISW video and added stock footage and AI-generated narration, StopFake fact-checkers found.

In the original video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YI1bBeUa_A), published back in April 2025, geospatial researcher Harrison Herwitz explains that on the tactical level, the initiative in the Pokrovsk direction is increasingly shifting toward the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Fake: Trump advised the Baltic states to defend themselves from russia on their own.

A video circulating on social networks claims: “America is tired of feeding freeloaders.” In reality, such videos are deliberate kremlin disinformation. The thesis about “NATO freeloaders” is manipulation — every state funds its own army, Delfi emphasizes:
https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/lozh/kak-vydumannaya-rech-trampa-o-stranah-baltii-stala-oruzhiem-dezinformacii-120180331

All Baltic states fully comply with NATO defense obligations. Germany and France — also mentioned in the video — are not refusing to support the Baltic region; on the contrary, they are strengthening their military presence. For example, Germany adopted a historic decision to deploy a permanent Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania.

The goal of such videos is to undermine trust in NATO, demoralize societies in the region, and prepare the ground for justifying new russian aggression.

Ursula von der Leyen. European Commission. Angelina Jolie in Ukraine

Fake: Angelina Jolie was asked for money during a humanitarian visit to Ukraine.
A video with the logo of British tabloid The Sun claims that staff of a military center allegedly demanded $100,000 from Jolie to release her bodyguard, supposedly detained at a checkpoint.
In reality, neither The Sun, nor the Legacy of War Foundation, nor Jolie’s official channels published such material. Propagandists created a fake video using real The Sun footage and replacing the narration.
French Charlie Hebdo also did not publish the November 13 cover circulated online — the last real cover is dated November 12. According to Osavul, the fake video was first posted by the russian Telegram channel “BayBayden” on November 12, after which it spread widely in russian- and English-speaking segments.
Propagandists then circulated a fake Charlie Hebdo cover featuring Jolie and Zelenskyy. It is completely fabricated. russia frequently forges branding of well-known media to create the illusion that “the West mocks Ukraine” or is “disappointed with Kyiv.” Familiar logos increase trust among uninformed audiences and boost virality.
Fake: Ursula von der Leyen left a European Commission meeting after Orbán accused her of corruption.

A story circulating in pro-russian social media claims that “Hungarian President Viktor Orbán revealed evidence that Ursula von der Leyen embezzled budget funds,” and that secret documents allegedly prove she invested billions of euros in companies connected to her allies. The publication also describes a dramatic scene in the meeting room.

This story is fabricated. No credible international media outlet has reported such a scandal. On the contrary, in October 2025, during a speech in the European Parliament, von der Leyen sharply criticized Orbán for appeasing putin and accused him of betraying the Hungarian people. She stated that he “blames the victim, not the aggressor — not putin’s lust for power, but Ukraine’s determination to fight for freedom.” Pro-European parties applauded her remarks.

Orbán, a loyal servant of the kremlin, has repeatedly accused von der Leyen of corruption, “prolonging the war in Ukraine,” and enabling illegal migration.

Pokrovsk. RSF journalists.

Fake: Western media report that Ukraine is sending 17-year-olds to the front.
None of the media outlets cited by kremlin channels ever published such stories. The “covers” circulating online are almost certainly AI-generated.
Ukrainian law is clear: mobilization applies to men aged 25 to 60. Younger individuals are not subject to conscription, though men over 18 may voluntarily join the Armed Forces under contract.
The fake was first spread on November 6 by the pro-russian Telegram channel “Odeska Respublika.” By promoting it, russian propagandists attempt to discredit the Ukrainian government and undermine trust in Western journalism.
Lie: European journalists are forced to lie about the military situation in Pokrovsk.
Social media users are sharing a video with the logo of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) claiming that European journalists are allegedly “forced to lie about the situation in Pokrovsk.”
In fact, there are no official statements or publications by RSF about pressure on European journalists regarding Pokrovsk. Using the organization’s name without linking to official resources is a classic disinformation technique.
RSF journalists operate with high protection levels, and any attempt at coercion would receive immediate international attention. RSF indeed records threats to press freedom during the war, but they do not accuse Ukraine or Western governments of forcing journalists to spread misinformation. RSF notes that Ukrainian journalists work under extremely difficult wartime conditions due to russia’s invasion: https://rsf.org/en/country/united-states
In contrast, media in russian-occupied Ukrainian territories are destroyed and replaced with kremlin propaganda.

President Zelenskyy. Ukraine is without electricity

Fake: Ukraine simulates power outages to receive more European aid.
russian propagandists claim that the power outages during President Zelenskyy’s interview with The Guardian were staged to “extract more money from Western sponsors.”
On November 9, 2025, during the interview recorded at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, the lights went off twice, after which the facility switched to backup generators (visible at 00:04 and 14:50 of the video).
“These are our living conditions. We have power outages in Kyiv, like everywhere. putin cannot create tension in our society any other way,” Zelenskyy commented.
The latest major blackout occurred after a massive russian strike on November 8, 2025 — drones and dozens of missiles, including 32 ballistic and aero-ballistic missiles, which are difficult to intercept. Two major power plants were destroyed. Gas production and distribution facilities were also damaged, putting additional strain on Ukraine’s energy system.
Power outages in Ukraine are not a “staged performance”; they are a direct result of ongoing russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Fake: Ukraine is without electricity due to corruption.
russian media claim: “Ukraine is sinking into darkness literally and figuratively. While Ukrainians freeze without light and heat, officials close to Zelenskyy enrich themselves through energy corruption schemes.”
This is a recurring kremlin narrative aimed at undermining support for Ukraine. The fake is spread amid a real corruption scandal in Ukraine. On November 10, 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) revealed a criminal organization involving current and former energy officials and businessmen. As a result, Ukraine’s parliament dismissed the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy. On November 13, President Zelenskyy signed a decree introducing sanctions against the main suspects.
Such scandals indeed affect the state's resilience during war, but they also show the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies and the public’s commitment to defeating corruption.
russia, however, uses this event to distort facts and distract from the real cause of energy problems — russian missile strikes. According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) by the UN, World Bank, and European Commission, annual damage to Ukraine’s energy sector has doubled each year of the war:https://www.undp.org/ukraine/press-releases/updated-damage-assessment-finds-524-billion-needed-recovery-ukraine-over-next-decade
By 2025, total losses are expected to exceed $40 billion.International monitoring teams report that 93% of Ukraine’s energy facilities—production, transmission, and distribution—have been damaged or destroyed. UN and World Bank projections estimate that reconstruction needs for civilian infrastructure over the next decade exceed $524 billion.

Special Tribunal. moscow

Fake: The creation of a Special Tribunal for the war in Ukraine is under threat because of russia’s refusal.
The fake claims that russia’s supposed refusal to pay contributions for the tribunal is “blocking” its creation. Propagandists cite a distorted reading of a Euronews article. In reality, the true obstacles are budgetary and political difficulties within Europe and reduced U.S. support, not russia’s sabotage.
kremlin media falsely claim that moscow is required to fund the tribunal and that Ursula von der Leyen threatened russia with penalties.But the Euronews article contains no such claims: https://ru.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/11/11/tribunal-for-ukraine-by-eleonora
The financial challenges stem from insufficient contributions from key donors, especially the U.S. The tribunal is funded by the Council of Europe, the EU, and partner states — not russia. The EU has already approved an initial €10 million tranche for the tribunal. russia ignores international judicial initiatives and does not recognize their jurisdiction.

Ukrainian army. Erika Kirk

Fake: There is an AIDS epidemic in the Ukrainian army.

Fake “front pages” of foreign newspapers claim that donor blood is not tested and that Ukrainian servicemen are massively contracting HIV.

Propagandists cite a supposed article in Le Parisien. In fact, this is another example of the russian “Doppelganger” operation — fake content imitating reputable Western media. StopFake found no such material on the Le Parisien website.

In Ukraine, all donor centers are legally required to test blood for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Transmission of HIV through blood components in the official healthcare system is extremely unlikely.

Neither WHO, UNAIDS, nor Ukrainian government agencies have reported any “AIDS epidemic” or mass HIV infections. Such an event would have huge international resonance. Instead, only russian sources “report” it using fake screenshots.
Video-Fake: Ukrainian soldiers threaten Charlie Kirk’s wife.

This video is staged. The “soldiers” speak with a heavy, unnatural accent, not typical for native Ukrainian speakers.

The video claims that Ukrainian soldiers threatened Erika Kirk, widow of American activist Charlie Kirk, saying she would suffer the same fate as her husband if she continued speaking about Ukraine. One man hits a mannequin head labeled “Kirk.”

This is another russian fabrication. Similar fake videos have been made about Trump, Macron, and other politicians. The video was clearly intended for an American audience, as some versions include English subtitles.

Importantly, Erika Kirk has never made public statements about Ukraine, so the alleged threat makes no sense. Charlie Kirk did indeed hold anti-Ukrainian views, opposed military aid, called Crimea “Russian territory,” and labeled Zelenskyy a puppet.

Comando Vermelho. russian House in Chisinau. Aciéries de Bonpertuis

Fake: In Spain, a gang of Ukrainians was stealing chairs from restaurants.
russian media claim that in Spain, a group of Ukrainians was stealing chairs at night and selling them online. This story is fabricated. The crime itself is real — Spanish police arrested six men and one woman who stole over 1,000 chairs worth about €60,000 from 18 restaurants in Madrid and surrounding areas:https://apnews.com/article/stolen-chairs-spain-restaurants-51556ca98953700f5a9c305b59b0fa5c
However, police never mentioned the nationality of the suspects.Pro-russian media simply invented the “Ukrainians” part to discredit Ukrainian refugees abroad.
Fake: Anti-russian policies “killed” one of the oldest factories in France.
russian media claim that a historic French plant collapsed due to “anti-russian sanctions.” No French outlet blamed sanctions.
The closure of Aciéries de Bonpertuis resulted from structural problems in the steel industry and the plant’s inability to secure investment:https://www.leparisien.fr/isere-38/il-y-a-un-silence-de-mort-apres-600-ans-dexistence-lune-des-plus-anciennes-entreprises-de-france-ferme-ses-portes-dans-lisere-02-11-2025-TML6HI5QIJBHJO6X4XL2QZHRB4.php
This situation is typical of mid-sized steel plants squeezed between European giants and Asian producers. Only russian sources claimed sanctions were to blame.
Fake: Brazilian criminal group Comando Vermelho trained in Ukraine.

russian propagandists claim that the Comando Vermelho gang that clashed with police in Rio de Janeiro in late October trained in Ukraine.

There is no evidence supporting this. The deadly confrontation on October 29, 2025, resulted in over 132 deaths:
https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-10-30/comando-vermelho-a-criminal-organization-focused-on-drug-trafficking-with-30000-members.html

russia uses this tragedy to portray Ukraine as a “global threat” and undermine international support.
Fake: Closure of the russian House in Chisinau was demanded by Brussels.

russian media claim that Moldova closed the russian Cultural Center because “EU integration is incompatible with russian culture” and that this was allegedly demanded by Brussels.

This is false. On November 5, 2025, Moldova’s government indeed denounced the agreement with russia on cultural centers — leading to the closure of the russian Cultural Center in Chisinau.

But the decision has nothing to do with the EU. Moldova’s Minister of Culture stated that the center “was not cultural at all — it was a cover for activities undermining the sovereignty of Moldova.” The decision was made independently by the Moldovan government due to repeated russian interference.
https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/press-release-1