Last fakes of the week
20 October 2026
Macron seeks third term, France runs out of money because of Ukraine: Two false claims by Sych
Host Andrei Sych claimed that French President Emmanuel Macron plans to run for a third consecutive term despite the constitutional ban. He explained the country’s financial problems by saying that “everything goes to Ukraine.” However, Macron has publicly ruled out running in the next presidential election. As for aid to Ukraine, it represents only a small fraction of the French government’s total spending, even when France’s estimated share of the EU’s support for Ukraine is...
fabrication, Ukraine, France, The First News Channel news.by, Andrey Sych, politics, elections.
19 October 2026
A guest on Belarus 4 Gomel TV claimed that sanctions against Russia destroyed three sectors in Finland. WTF verified the claim
Ihar Kazaroz, deputy director of the Belarusian State University of Transport branch, stated that the service sector, machinery manufacturing, and forest industry in Finland effectively disappeared after sanctions against Russia were imposed. However, the total value of Finland’s exports of services and machinery increased compared to 2021. Although timber use declined after Russian supplies ceased, the forest industry continued to operate.
misrepresentation, Russia, Finland, Belarus-4, Ihar Kazaroz, economy, sanctions, industry.
18 October 2026
Is the EU requiring Latvia to slaughter a quarter of its dairy cows? WTF fact-checked the News.by report
According to the First News Channel*, Latvia must cull a quarter of its dairy cows or forfeit €47 million in European subsidies. However, a report from the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture states that the funds are intended to improve animal feed and housing conditions, as well as develop organic dairy farms. The targets of these programs do not specify how many cows must remain in the country.
misrepresentation, Latvia, European Union, The First News Channel news.by, economy, agriculture, state support.
17 October 2026
Lazutkin underestimated the willingness of Europeans to defend their countries
According to political analyst Andrei Lazutkin, only 10-15% of Europeans are willing to fight and defend their countries. The Weekly Top Fake team examined several surveys. Their findings painted a completely different picture: in various countries, the percentage of such people ranged from 25% to nearly 70%.
misrepresentation, Europe, European Union, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Andrey Lazutkin, war, sociology.
16 October 2026
Bernstein contrasted pensions in Latvia with contributions to “NATO’s coffers.” However, he mixed up the amounts and agencies
Solomon Bernstein, a vlogger who moved from Latvia to Belarus, claimed that Latvian authorities admitted they were unable to provide pensioners with a decent standard of living without help from relatives. At the same time, he claimed that nearly 17% of the country’s budget goes into “NATO’s coffers.” The Weekly Top Fake team could not find the statement the vlogger cited. The statistics also do not support his conclusion about pensioners. Furthermore, Latvia’s contributions to...
misrepresentation, Belarus, Latvia, The First News Channel news.by, Solomon Bernstein, army, retirement age, armament, statistics, sociology.
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