Fact Check: Video Going Viral With Claims Of Ukrainian Attack On Russian Oil Refinery Is AI-Generated
Vishvas News found in its investigation that the viral CCTV footage claiming to show a Ukrainian attack on Russian oil refineries is fake. While it is true that Ukraine has conducted real drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in March 2026, this particular video is a synthetic fabrication.
- By: Sharad Prakash Asthana
- Published: Apr 1, 2026 at 01:57 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News): As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its fourth year, digital misinformation continues to blur the reality. Recently, a collage of CCTV footage purportedly showing dramatic explosions at Russian oil refineries has gone viral. Some users are sharing this footage, claiming that the viral video depicts Russian oil refineries, targeted by Ukraine.
Upon investigating the matter, Vishvas News found that the viral video is AI-generated and is not authentic.
What is the Viral Post?
On March 24, 2026, Instagram user ‘poltical_apocalypse’ posted the video (archive link) with the caption: “Ukraine Strikes Again: Two Russian oil refineries were targeted in evening attacks. CCTV footage captures powerful explosions at two oil refineries situated deep within Russian territory. The Ukrainian military executed coordinated attacks in the evening, targeting critical energy infrastructure. The objective of these strategic strikes is to disrupt Russia’s fuel production and military supply chains. This operation demonstrates Ukraine’s growing capability to undermine Russia’s warfighting capacity.”
Investigation
To verify the viral claim, we first examined the video closely. It consists of four clips. The first clip, three seconds in length, labelled ‘CAM4- EAST GATE’, begins with a timestamp of 18:42:31. This is followed by timestamps of 18:42:39 and subsequently 18:42:48. Similarly, in the clip labelled ‘CAM7- WEST TANK FARM,’ the timestamps 42:30 and 42:31 appear after the 42:39 mark. Meanwhile, in the fourth clip, labelled ‘CAM9- DRONE BAY’, it begins at 18:42:59, followed by 18:42:00 and 18:42:01.
The date format in the video is unclear, and during the attack, employees in the third clip appear to be running unnaturally. This led us to suspect that the video was likely generated using an AI tool.
Subsequently, we analysed the video using the AI video detection tool ‘Hive Moderation.’ The analysis indicated approximately 95% probability of being AI-generated.
For further verification, we shared the video with our partners, the ‘Deepfakes Analysis Unit’ (DAU), an initiative of the ‘Trusted Information Alliance’ (TIA). The team extracted keyframes from the video and analysed them using ‘AI or Not’ and ‘Sightengine.’ Both tools suggested a high probability that the video was created using AI.
According to the team’s analysis, between the 0:06-0:08 mark, the shape of the pipes appears to distort.
What is the context?
According to a report published on the ‘France 24’ website on March 23, 2026, citing ‘AFP’, “On March 22, 2026, Ukraine launched a drone attack on a key Russian oil port located near the Finnish border, sparking a massive fire. Both Moscow and Kyiv confirmed the incident. Satellite imagery showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke rising from the oil terminal in the Russian city of Primorsk. The city is situated on the Gulf of Finland. Russia has been repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure; in response, Ukraine has launched its own drone attacks against Russia. These attacks have primarily targeted Moscow’s energy facilities and military bases. Ukraine stated that approximately 60 million tons of oil are handled annually through Primorsk. The General Staff also claimed to have attacked an oil refinery located in the central Russian city of Ufa. This refinery is situated approximately 1,400 kilometres from the front lines of the conflict.”
Footage of this attack can be viewed in a video uploaded to the Al Jazeera English website on March 23, 2026. This footage is not CCTV footage.
According to a report published on the Reuters website on March 25, 2026, “Russia’s Baltic ports, Primorsk and Ust-Luga, have suspended the loading of crude oil and petroleum products. This measure was taken following major drone attacks by Ukraine, which had resulted in fires at the sites. These drone attacks on the Baltic ports rank among the most significant strikes against Russia’s oil export infrastructure to date, occurring during the four-year-long conflict.”
We analysed the Instagram profile of the user who shared the AI-generated video and found that the account was created in January 2026 and is located in India.
Conclusion: Vishvas News found in its investigation that the viral CCTV footage claiming to show a Ukrainian attack on Russian oil refineries is fake. While it is true that Ukraine has conducted real drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in March 2026, this particular video is a synthetic fabrication.
- Claim Review : Video depicts Russian oil refineries, targeted by Ukraine.
- Claimed By : Insta User- ‘poltical_apocalypse
- Fact Check : False
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