Fact check: disinformation on Russian and Ukrainian social media

From Ukraine President on the warfront, to the wife of a non-existent Ukrainian Vice President, here are some false claims that went viral on social media

Misleading claims and information on Russia-Ukraine are rampant in social media since the former launched its military operation against the latter on February 24.

Here is a fact check on some of the claims that went viral in the recent times.

Photos of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the military fatigue claiming that "he is leading a fight against Russia" went rounds on social media immediately after Russia began its military operation.

"This is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine.He took of his presidential attire and dressed up in this army uniform to help his troops to protect the borders.He's not just a leader or a president or anything,he is a KING! big mad respect for him tho. Just a simple picture with millions of words," wrote @Wiseman on Facebook.

Mr. Zelenskyy is indeed fighting Russia in every possible way but he has certainly not gone to the border. The images were a part of Ukrainian Presidential Press Service Handouts given to media organisations when he visited the positions of armed forces near the frontline with Russian-backed separatists in Donbass region on April 9, 2021. Here is a link to a Reuters report published on that day. The remaining photos can be seen in the official website of Ukrainian President. President Zelenskyy is active on Twitter and tweets in both English and Ukrainian.

Fact Check: Misleading

"This is the wife of the Vice president of Ukraine.She is fighting for her motherland.I pray peace prevail," wrote Twitter user @KhellyKelGee. "The wife of the vice president of #Ukraine and these young women are on the front line facing #Russian soldiers head on," wrote another user.