A video shared on Facebook allegedly shows a recent anti-mobilization protest in St. Petersburg, Russia in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech.

Verdict: Misleading

While the video is an anti-war protest, the video was taken in March 2022.

Fact Check: 

Putin announced a partial military mobilization Sept. 21 during a speech regarding renewed efforts in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to The Washington Post. Anti-mobilization protests broke out, with over 1,200 people being arrested across Russia, the outlet reported.

The Facebook video claims to show a scene from a recent anti-mobilization protest in Russia. “Massive Anti War protest breaks out in St Petersburg, Russia after in desperation dictator Putin calls for partial draft,” the post’s caption reads.

The video, however, is not from recent protests. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found that the video is from at least March 2022. Reporters, such as Wall Street Journal reporter Matthew Luxmore, shared the video in March 2022. (RELATED: Was The Russian Defense Ministry Guesthouse Attacked?)

Protesters are marching past St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg chanting “No to War!” pic.twitter.com/Iz5CbQsvHU

— Matthew Luxmoore (@mjluxmoore) March 6, 2022

“Protesters are marching past St Isaac’s Cathedral in St Petersburg chanting ‘No to War!'” Luxmore tweeted.

Social media videos posted in March showed anti-war protesters in St. Petersburg being violently beaten by police and taken into custody, according to CNN. Approximately 4,640 protesters were arrested during the day, the outlet reported. At least 2,500 have reportedly been detained since the newest round of demonstrations appeared, Radio Free Europe reported.

Misinformation about the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is not new. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim that there was a recent explosion in a Moscow warehouse near Putin’s residence.