This "footage" shows Russia attacking Ukraine.
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These video clips do not show Russia’s attack on Ukraine. They’re simulations from video games
If Your Time is short
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Two videos circulating on social media that claim to show heavy fire and missiles being launched in Ukraine are not legitimate. They are simulations from video games.
As Russia unleashed a full-scale attack on Ukraine, videos and images have started to flood the internet with claims that they depict devastating scenes of bombings and heavy fire throughout the eastern European country.
But while the invasion is very real, not all of these videos are authentic.
"OMG Russia just attacked Ukraine. Look at this footage," reads the caption of what is supposedly a live Facebook video showing a jet dodging heavy gunfire.
"Russian attacks Ukraine just now," reads the caption of a different Facebook video that features three seperate clips that supposedly show the attack. The last clip appears to show a barrage of missiles being launched into the air.
The videos were flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Featured Fact-check
Both videos linked above include animated scenes taken from video games.
One clip of the jet dodging heavy artillery fire comes from a simulation of a military shooter video game called Arma 3. Similar clips of the gameplay can be viewed on YouTube.
The second video of the missiles has been circulating on the internet since at least December 2021 and depicts a teaser clip from a video game named "War Thunder."
Readers and social media users should always be cautious when seeing or sharing images and videos in breaking news scenarios.
These clips aren’t real and do not show the current fighting in Ukraine. False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Feb. 24, 2022
Facebook post, Feb. 23, 2022
YouTube, arma 3 jet gameplay, Accessed Feb. 24, 2022
YouTube, The Iron Dome in War Thunder, Dec. 15, 2021
Maltida.es, No, this video is not from "Russia at war with Ukraine": it is a simulation of a video game, Feb. 24, 2022
Boomlive.in, Video Game Footage Viral As Visuals Of Russians Air Strike On Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022
Lead Stories, Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Conflict Between Russia, Ukraine, Feb. 17, 2022
Full Fact, Fake Ukraine video includes footage from 2015 and a computer game teaser, Feb. 24, 2022
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These video clips do not show Russia’s attack on Ukraine. They’re simulations from video games
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