FACT CHECK: Video Showing Migrants Near Polish Border Is Old
A video shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, claims to show migrants near the Polish border.
Europe under attack. Illegal immigrants want to invade Poland. pic.twitter.com/KdDS3OWxCp
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 1, 2023
Verdict: Misleading
The video has been circulating since November 2021, nearly two years before the claim was made in October 2023.
Fact Check:
Belarus has allowed migrants to receive visas and reach the European Union border, according to NPR. The Polish-Belarusian border has become increasingly fortified and dangerous, the outlet reported.
Social media users have been sharing a video claiming it shows illegal migrants near the Polish border in October 2023. The video’s caption reads, “Europe under attack. Illegal immigrants want to invade Poland.” (RELATED: No, China Is Not Providing Tanks To Ukraine)
This video, however, is old. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found that the video is from at least November 2021. The video was posted by a Twitter account at the time.
Mostly peaceful migrants #Poland #Belarus #border #PolandHoldtheLine pic.twitter.com/nQpp3Tz2FF
— boom_and_bust (@boom_and_bust) November 15, 2021
Belarus and Poland feuded over migrants at the border in November 2021, according to CNN. The video was shared by the Polish Ministry of Defense on October 1, 2023. Check Your Fact could not identify why the Polish Ministry of Defense shared an older video.
Obrona nienaruszalności granicy jest obowiązkiem, ale też prawem każdego państwa. Zareagowaliśmy na działania reżimu Łukaszenki inspirowanego przez Moskwę. Żołnierze oraz funkcjonariusze służb broniący polskiej granicy stawiali i stawiają czoła realnemu zagrożeniu. Za to jesteśmy… pic.twitter.com/AVMgOpjOiV
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) October 1, 2023
“Defending the inviolability of the border is an obligation, but also the right of every state. We reacted to the actions of the Lukashenko regime inspired by Moscow. Soldiers and service officers defending the Polish border faced and still face a real threat. We are grateful to them for this and we will continue to support them,” the Polish Ministry of Defense tweeted.
Check Your Fact fact-checked a video making a similar claim in September 2023. The video had been posted by the Polish Ministry of Defense in November 2021.