FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show Ukrainian Troops Preparing For A Counteroffensive?
A video shared on Twitter claims to show Ukrainian troops preparing for a counteroffensive in 2023.
Russian casualties are higher than Ukrainians. Russians are losing so many men in Bakhmut and Donetsk.
Drones, tanks, and HIMARS are ready.
The Russian Army and Wagner Group have two options:
Surrender to Ukraine or run to Russia. #ukrainecounteroffensive #RussiaIsLosing https://t.co/VSCnOicVgv pic.twitter.com/Me7Sc4R4HX
— Herry Napitupulu (@HerryNapit) April 21, 2023
Verdict: Misleading
The video is from March 2020, two years before the Russian invasion and three years before the anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Fact Check:
Ukraine is expected to launch its counteroffensive in upcoming months, according to The New York Times. Officials in Ukraine are worried that, if there is no decisive victory, support for the country could weaken, the outlet reported.
The Twitter video shows vehicles and troops in an undisclosed location. The tweet accompanying the video implies it shows Ukrainian troops preparing for the presumptive spring offensive, with the hashtag #ukrainecounteroffensive.
“Russian casualties are higher than Ukrainians. Russians are losing so many men in Bakhmut andDonetsk.Drones, tanks, and HIMARS are ready. The Russian Army and Wagner Group have two options: Surrender to Ukraine or run to Russia#ukrainecounteroffensive #RussiaIsLosing,” reads the tweet.
However, this video predates the current fighting by over three years. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found that the video was posted to YouTube in March 2020. The video’s title is “The mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: what the combat power of the army looks like.”
“Defense Express filmed one of the mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which conducted a control practical session at one of the training grounds,” reads part of the video’s description. Defense Express reported that Ukraine had abandoned the “Soviet system” of combat readiness checks. (RELATED: Does This Video Show NATO Helicopters Being Show Down In Ukraine?)
Social media users have shared misinformation about the Russian-Ukrainian war. Recently, Check Your Fact debunked posts claiming that the leaked Pentagon documents showed Ukraine suffered 71,000 dead.
