  This paper compares quantitatively the spread of Ukraine-related
disinformation and its corresponding debunks, first by considering re-tweets,
replies, and favourites, which demonstrate that despite platform efforts
Ukraine-related disinformation is still spreading wider than its debunks. Next,
bidirectional post-hoc analysis is carried out using Granger causality tests,
impulse response analysis and forecast error variance decomposition, which
demonstrate that the spread of debunks has a positive impact on reducing
Ukraine-related disinformation eventually, albeit not instantly. Lastly, the
paper investigates the dominant themes in Ukraine-related disinformation and
their spatiotemporal distribution. With respect to debunks, we also establish
that around 18% of fact-checks are debunking claims which have already been
fact-checked in another language. The latter finding highlights an opportunity
for better collaboration between fact-checkers, so they can benefit from and
amplify each other's debunks through translation, citation, and early
publication online.
