FACT CHECK: Video Claims To Show Russian Fighters Being Destroyed In Ukraine

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A video shared on Facebook claims to show Russian MiG-35 fighters being destroyed in Ukraine.

Verdict: False

The footage is from a military-based simulation game.

Fact Check:

Three Russian airbases in Russia were targeted by Ukrainian drones, leading to the death of one pilot and the damage of two bombers, The New Voice of Ukraine reported. The Russian Air Force has suffered 64 visually confirmed aircraft damaged or destroyed since its invasion of Ukraine started in February, according to military analysis website Oryx.

The Facebook video, viewed more than 14,000 times, claims to show 6 Russian MiG-35 aircraft in Ukraine. The Facebook video’s caption reads, “5 Minutes Ago, Just Arrived in the Sky of Ukraine 6 Russian MIG-35 Fighter Jets Destroyed by Ukraine.”

This claim, though, is false. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found the video was posted to YouTube Nov. 30 with the same title. The Facebook video shows footage from ARMA 3, a simulation-based video game published by Bohemia Interactive.

The video discloses that it shows ARMA 3 footage. The video’s description partially reads, “I made a military simulation using Arma 3 Simulator. Bohemia makes it possible to create YouTube videos of their games and monetize them.” (RELATED: Does This Video Show A Russian Fuel Convoy Destroyed In Kherson?)

Check Your Fact found no evidence that the MiG-35 is currently being used in Ukraine. Insider reported in June 2022 that there are eight serially produced aircraft and two prototypes. The article does not mention the aircraft being used in Ukraine.

Misinformation around the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is not new. Check Your Fact recently debunked a video claiming to show Russian special forces being attacked in Ukraine.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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