Antifake / Factcheck

31 мая

Belarus 1: Ukrainians are afraid to go outside since the mobilization law came into effect. Fact-checking these statements

The Weekly Top Fake team sent a cameraman to capture footage of what the streets of Kyiv look like.

Authors:
Editors:
Fake appearance date: 23.05.2024
Since the new mobilization law was passed, Ukrainians have been avoiding going outside. This was reported by the Belarus 1 TV channel, which specified that men are staying indoors to hide from officials of the territorial recruitment centers (TRCs). These claims were later also broadcast by Radio Belarus. In order to verify this, our correspondent took to the streets of Kyiv.

With the new law coming into effect on May 18, Ukrainians who fail to report to the recruitment office in response to a summons are subject to fines. They can even be forcibly taken to the TRCs. The issue was addressed on Belarus 1 channel's "Remarka" program on May 23, 2024. Host Daria Rachko reported that men are afraid to go out in public.

"Empty streets, people hiding out at home or staying at work overnight to avoid encountering territorial recruitment center officials. The scene resembles a horror movie. From May 18, this is how everyday life looks like for Ukrainians" - said the show's host.

The statement was followed by a few short b-roll fragments showing empty streets of Ukrainian cities.

The same was reported by a Belarus 1 presenter Andrei Sych on Radio Belarus on May 23, 2024.

"After all, Zelenskiy managed to sign the mobilization bill. And currently, there is also active discussion about the situation unfolding on the streets of Ukraine, where people go out, film videos, and there isn't a single male out on the streets, in shopping malls, or on city squares."

The Weekly Top Fake team sent a cameraman to capture footage of what the streets of Kyiv look like. It turns out that there is plenty of men out on the city streets.