Fact Check: This Video Is Gaming Footage And Does Not Depict A Ukrainian Attack On Russian Air Base Under Operation ‘Spider Web’

New Delhi (Visvas News): Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine launched over 100 drones, under Operation ‘Spider Web’,  to target Russian air bases. In this context, a video has been widely shared on social media, with users claiming it shows Ukraine destroying 40 nuclear-capable Russian bombers in a drone strike.

Vishvas News investigated and found this claim to be false. The viral video is actually a gaming video, not footage of a real attack. According to the news reports citing Ukrainian sources, 41 strategic bombers (aircraft carrying nuclear bombs) were targeted in this attack, out of which at least 13 were destroyed. However, Russia has not acknowledged the loss of any such aircraft.

What is viral?

Facebook user ‘Rakesh Yadav Hindu‘ shared the viral video with the caption, “Yesterday Ukraine destroyed 40 nuclear capable bombers of Russia in a drone strike.

But it still remains a mystery as to why these Russian planes were standing outside in the open and not in the hangar?

Were these spare aircraft or damaged aircraft that needed to be repaired?

Has Russia really suffered as many losses as the European media is showing??”

Users have also shared this video on several other platforms with a similar claim.

Investigation

In the viral video, several planes are seen at an airbase, and explosions occur in and around them. To identify the source of the viral video, we conducted a reverse image search using its key frames. The search led us to the original source of the viral clip.

A YouTube channel named ‘UWC’ uploaded this video clip with the caption, “40 Russian strategic bombers TU-95 destroyed by drone attack by Ukraine.” Along with this, it is also mentioned that this video is not ‘real’ but footage from the video game ‘Arma 3’.

‘Arma 3’ is an open-world tactical shooter simulation video game that has been developed and distributed through the stream distribution platform.

Notably, on June 1, more than 100 Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked air force bases inside Russia, targeting aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. According to a BBC report, this operation was named ‘Spider Web’. The report quoted the Russian Defence Ministry as saying, “These attacks took place in five regions of their country – Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan and Amur – but claimed that aircraft were damaged only in Murmansk and Irkutsk, attacks were thwarted at other places.”

The footage of this attack can be seen in The Guardian report as well as in many other news and video reports. After viewing the footage, it is clear that the viral video, which is being claimed to show this attack, is actually very different from the real footage.

We contacted video expert Ashish Jain regarding this video, and he confirmed, “This is gaming footage.”

The Facebook user who shared the viral video with the fake claim has 17000 followers and shares content inspired by a particular ideology.

Conclusion: Under Operation ‘Spider Web’, Ukraine targeted Russian military infrastructure and air bases with drones. However, the viral video claiming to show this is not of real footage; it is from a video game.

Tags

• Fact Check
• Operation Spider Web
• Russia Ukraine Crisis