Propagandists have forged a Sky News article and a video report from Birmingham Live
Russian Telegram channels are circulating a screenshot of a supposed Sky News report and a video bearing the logo of the British local media outlet Birmingham Live. The content claims that Ukrainian scammers defrauded Ozzy Osbourne fans of GBP 283,000 under the pretense of collecting money for the rock legend’s funeral.
This story is entirely fabricated. No such article has ever appeared on the Sky News website — propagandists falsified a feature piece on the life of the renowned rock musician.
The video featuring the Birmingham Live logo is also fake. It cannot be found on the media outlet’s website or its social media accounts.
The video itself was artificially generated using publicly available photos and footage easily found online.
This is yet another example of Russian propaganda targeting Western audiences with disinformation in an attempt to stir hostility toward Ukrainians who were forced to flee abroad due to Russia’s invasion.
Russians have previously spread a false story about the alleged death of a boy featured in the video “Ukraine in Every Heart.”
Andriy Olenin
Header image: ozzyosbourne / Instagram
Source: Russians spread fake news about 'Ukrainian scammers' allegedly defrauding Ozzy Osbourne fans
