Mariupol residents are ethnic Russians: foreign fakes and manipulations for July 5

On July 5, Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation has published the selection of anti-Ukrainian fake and manipulation in the world media.

Fake: American lawyer and columnist Andrew Napolitano claimed: "They (the residents of Mariupol - ed.) were ethnic Russians whom the Ukrainian government bombed and tried to kill."

Refutation: This is a blatant and cynical lie. Firstly, documented testimonies and reports confirm that Mariupol was devastated by the Russian army through continuous and relentless shelling. Secondly, the narrative of the Ukrainian government's alleged persecution of ethnic Russians in Ukrainian cities is an argument used by Kremlin propaganda as a pretext for invading Ukraine and "protecting" people.

Manipulation: Former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter claimed: "The Center for Countering Disinformation, run by the US State Department, is all about preventing Americans from exercising their freedom of speech."

Rebuttal: Ritter's statement aims to discredit the Center for Countering Disinformation in the eyes of foreign audiences. In reality, the center's activities are focused on identifying hostile disinformation narratives that pose a threat to Ukraine's national security.

• Earlier, Russian propaganda spread a fake news story claiming Ukraine carries out acts of terrorism against civilians and nuclear power plants.