The Facebook page named "The Reis" posted several photos of Turkish "Akinci" drones on July 9 with a caption claiming that the military equipment shown in the image is a gift from Turkey to Kosovo.
However, after verifying the facts based on research conducted through online search engines, hibrid.info has not found such an announcement published in any credible media.
Also, the relevant institution, such as the Ministry of Defense in Kosovo, has not made any announcement about the receipt of these drones from Turkey. (here)
The original caption on the post published by the "The Reis" Facebook page:
They are not American F-16s, nor Russian Su-35s, but Turkish Akinci. He brought gifts for Bajram for Kosovo ne
.
This page, which is seen to mainly publish materials related to Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, published the post in question without providing additional information to support the claim.
Apart from the photograph showing images of "Akinci" type unmanned combat aircraft (drones), no additional details are provided.
After researching online search engines, it is understood that this image was taken in July 2022, where three of the drones were to be used for testing activities and four others were delivered to the Turkish Air Force Command. (see here)
So it is not an image that represents a contingent of these drones that, as claimed in the post, are a gift from the Turkish state to Kosovo.
Despite the lack of arguments that support this claim, hibrid.info has also explored publications from credible sources related to the supply of such combat equipment to the Kosovo defense authorities.
After research, hibrid.info found an article published in May by the "Klan Kosova" television portal, which stated that "The Kosovo Army is being equipped with Bayraktar drones."
This online medium, citing its sources within international security institutions, had reported that Kosovo has been equipped with five Bayraktar drones. (see here)
Excerpt from the article published by KlanKosova.tv:
The army, which is currently being formed, has been equipped with about 5 Bayraktar drones, as Klan Kosova learns from international security institutions, capacities that exceed the needs of the KSF.
The intelligent, unmanned attack drones, which are controlled from a ground base, have arrived in Kosovo from the country of production of the drones and the entire tracking system, Turkey, after almost 7 months from the signing of the contract with the manufacturing company. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj.
Meanwhile, on the part of Kosovo institutions, President Vjosa Osmani (February 2022), during her visit to Turkey, visited the "Baykar" drone production factory in Istanbul. While no official announcement has been made proving that the order made with Bayraktar drones has reached Kosovo. (see here)
So, so far, it has only been reported about equipping Kosovo with Turkish Bayraktar drones, but not the Akinci ones," as claimed in the post published by the "The Reis" Facebook page.
Based on the references provided on "Wikipedia", hibrid.info has found that these drones (Akinci) are currently in use by countries such as Turkey, Pakistan and Libya. (see here, here and here)
Analyze:
After verifying the facts, hibrid.info has confirmed that the Facebook page "The Reis" falsely claimed that Turkey donated "Akinci" drones to Kosovo.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this claim as "Fake News".
Reasoning:
The "Fake News" rating is given to media reports that are entirely the product of a medium that itself contains factually incorrect claims or information.
Content that is considered fake news can be reliably determined to have been created and distributed with the intent to misinform the public, i.e., to present a claim that is completely false as fact.