Context: U.S. media, citing sources, reported that Donald Trump is offering Denmark $700 billion for control of Greenland. The island’s annexation by the United States has been discussed periodically since the 19th century, following the purchase of Alaska. However, this time, the American president threatened to impose import duties on eight European countries starting in February 2026, which opposed his plans and sent their soldiers to military exercises in Greenland.
In mid-January 2026, the Shkvarka News and ZhS Premium Telegram channels posted a news story claiming that Denmark wants to reclaim F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine in 2024 to defend Greenland in the event of a U.S. attack. The video features the logo of the Danish broadcaster TV2 Nord, and the Danish-language text is read by news anchor Pia Beltoft. The subtitles, translated into Russian, read:
“Denmark plans to recall the F-16 fighter jets it provided to Ukraine in November 2024. This is according to our sources in the Ministry of Defense. The aircraft will be redeployed to Greenland.”
The WTF team determined that the episode featuring anchor Pia Beltoft in that attire aired in December 2025.
We sent an inquiry to the broadcaster to clarify whether it had disseminated such information. The channel's editor responded with the following statement:
“On behalf of TV2 Nord, I can confirm that the video is all fake. TV2 Nord has not been involved in this and someone has violated our copyright by misusing our material and our news host.”
Copenhagen pledged to provide 19 fighter jets, the majority of which Kyiv has already received. Furthermore, in January 2026, Denmark announced it is phasing out its F-16 fleet, with the remaining aircraft to be transferred to Ukraine and Argentina. They will be replaced by F-35 fighter jets.