Last fakes of the week
27 August 2026
Can Europe no longer feed itself? TASS exaggerated the impact of the heatwave on the EU’s food supply
The TASS columnist claimed that the European Union is allegedly no longer able to feed itself due to the heat and will be forced to import food. However, statistics on key products do not support this claim. Even with lower harvest forecasts, the European Union remains self-sufficient in wheat. It was already purchasing sugar abroad before the heat wave, and problems faced by winemakers do not signal an export collapse.
misrepresentation, Russia, European Union, TASS, Anatoly Tikhonov, food crisis, agriculture, ecology, weather.
26 August 2026
Has “Belarus outpaced Latvia” in terms of child benefits? A Belarusian Radio host did not account for all payments
On August 12, 2026, Maksim Kharyn, the host of Belarusian Radio’s First National Channel, stated that Belarus pays families with children more than Latvia does. To illustrate, he mentioned monthly benefits and one-time payments that are made when a child is born. Although he quoted these amounts generally correctly, he failed to account for other Latvian payments. This could mean that the actual level of support for families is significantly higher.
misrepresentation, Belarus, Latvia, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Maxim Kharin, politics, demography, state support.
21 August 2026
An “unprecedented surge in bankruptcies” in Lithuania? News.by passed off a decline as growth
The First News Channel reported that Lithuania experienced an unprecedented surge in bankruptcies. They cited more than 220 court cases involving corporate insolvency in the first quarter of 2026 as evidence. However, this figure does not indicate an increase. In fact, the number of such cases decreased compared to the same period last year.
misrepresentation, Lithuania, The First News Channel news.by, economy.
20 August 2026
Europe’s “meager ration”: News.by explained food prices by a diet that doesn’t exist
Appearing on First News Channel*, Russian expert Vasilii Koltashov stated that food prices in Western countries were falling due to a decline in meat and cheese consumption. According to him, people there are increasingly living on meager rations. However, data from the European Union does not indicate that people’s diets have become poorer. Meat consumption remains stable, and Europeans are eating more cheese. Even the organic food market is growing.
misrepresentation, Belarus, European Union, The First News Channel news.by, Vasily Koltashov, economy, rising prices.
19 August 2026
Will all unemployed Ukrainians be deported from Poland? A Belarusian Radio host expanded an opposition party’s proposal
A host on the First National Channel of Belarusian Radio claimed that Poland is preparing a bill to deport all unemployed Ukrainians. However, the Law and Justice Party’s proposal concerned a much narrower group: Ukrainian men of military age who are not legally employed in Poland.
misrepresentation, Ukraine, Poland, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Надзея Лысенка, migration.
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