FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show A Captured Russian Submarine?

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A video shared on Facebook claims to show a Russian nuclear submarine captured by Ukrainian forces in a Crimean port.

Verdict: False

The video is not genuine footage of a Russian nuclear submarine being captured by Ukrainian forces. The footage is from ARMA 3, a military-style video game.

Fact Check:

Russia targeted Ukraine with missiles Oct. 10 that hit civilian areas in Kyiv, such as playgrounds and a pedestrian bridge, according to Axios. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the missile strikes were in retaliation for the explosion that badly damaged sections of the Kirch Strait Bridge in Crimea, which connects the territory to Russia, the outlet reported.

The Facebook video, viewed more than 127,000 times, shows Ukrainian forces. “Huge Loss for Putin! Russian Nuclear Submarine Captured in the Crimean Port,” the post’s caption reads. (RELATED: Does This Video Show The Finnish-Russian Border After Vladimir Putin’s Speech?)

The video does not show genuine footage of a captured Russian nuclear submarine. Rather, the footage shows gameplay from ARMA 3, a simulation-based video game published by Bohemia Interactive. The video first appeared on YouTube June 29 with the title, “Huge Loss for Putin! Russian Nuclear Submarine Captured in the Crimean Port.”

The video description makes it clear that the video is from a video game. The description partially reads, “All videos on this channel are Arma 3 game simulation! They do not reflect reality and are the product of the author’s imagination! This channel is not for propaganda purposes!”

This is not the first time videos from Arma 3 have been misleadingly used to portray the conflict in Ukraine. Check Your Fact previously debunked a video in September claiming to show Russian naval vessels under Ukrainian artillery fire.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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