On August 25-26, Russian-speaking Facebook accounts (1,2) and Facebook groups (1,2) shared a photo of a cover allegedly from the German magazine Handelsblatt. The image features a sign with the inscription “Kursk” and a headline stating “Ukrainian soldiers invade Russian territory.” Behind the sign, there are crosses stuck into piles of dirt with Ukrainian military...

On August 21, lawyer Irakli Zakareishvili, a Facebook user who regularly spreads disinformation, posted a photo on his personal account in which he claims that Zaza Shonia, who is fighting on the side of Ukraine, is wearing a Nazi insignia. The claim that the fighter depicted in the photo is wearing a Nazi insignia on...

The Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research is often a target of disinformation and conspiracy theories regarding its purpose and activities by Russian media, as well as Georgian actors having close ties with the Kremlin and pursuing Russian interests. On August 3, tit was reported that the United States of America had cut off...

On August 15, Nini Khundadze, a supporter of Conservative Movement-Alt Info, who has posted disinformation on numerous occasions in the past, posted a short video, the so-called reels, of the newly-established political party, “Federalists.”  The video shows, among others, one of the leaders of the party, Giga Bokeria, speaking about the need to confront and...

On August 9, lawyer Irakli Zakareishvili, and member of the Georgian Mission movement Ramaz Gagnidze posted images of incumbent US Vice-President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris. According to Zakareishvili, the images are early photos of Harris, while Gagnidze claims that the US presidential candidate is distinguished for “her LGBT talent and qualities.”  The images, which...

On August 12, Georgian and Russian-language Facebook users (1,2,3,4) disseminated the claim that the closing ceremony of the Olympics contained elements of Satan worship, specifically that the Paris Olympics banner depicted the devil expelled from paradise by God. According to these users, the character dressed in a golden costume during the closing ceremony had the...

On August 11-13, Georgian-language Facebook users (1, 2) shared a video, which, according to them, was filmed in Iraq and shows a protest organized by locals against the Olympics. In the video, a procession is seen, led by people carrying Christian symbols, such as crosses and icons. The participants are also wearing T-shirts with cross...

On August 9-10, Georgian (1;2;3) and Russian-speaking (1;2;3;4) Facebook accounts shared photos and video footage showing French President Emmanuel Macron kissing a man. In the footage, it appears they are on a boat. The video circulating on social media is a fabrication. While President Macron was indeed on a boat with the individuals captured in...

Russian media outlets (1tv.ru, Russia Today,Sputnik, Duma tv, lenta.ru) as well as the Georgian-language program “Solidarity for Peace,” disseminated information based on the Italian media Database Italia that the Zelenskyy family purchased a winery estate in Italy, Tenuta il Palagio, from British singer Sting, paying between 60 to 75 million. The article is accompanied by two...

Between August 4 and 6, the Facebook page ZNEOBA.GE and other Georgian-speaking users (1,2,3,4,5) shared a video claiming that the American “Church of Satan” thanked the organizers of the Paris Olympics for the magnificent opening ceremony. The video, which features the USA Today logo, includes a quote attributed to Peter Gilmore, who is referred to...

On August 6, a Georgian-language Facebook user published a photo collage of American gymnast Simone Biles with the caption “Baphomet Symbolism.” The description of the post implies that the goat symbol Biles uses is connected to “Baphomet.” The user claims that “Baphomet” is “one of the unofficial mascots of the Paris Olympics.” The images in...

On August 2, Georgian-language Facebook users (1,2,3) shared a photo of a person in women’s lingerie, claiming it was taken at the Paris Olympics. According to the information on the photo, the individual was participating in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event. The users insist that the photo is not altered. The photo was also disseminated...