A few days ago, a video depicting a powerful explosion garnered attention across social media platforms, purportedly showcasing a recent Russian bomb attack on Ukraine. This content, widely shared and discussed, claimed that Russia had employed an immense ODAB-500P Aerosols Bomb in response to NATO’s provision of cluster munitions to the Ukrainian Army. This sensational narrative even captured the interest of users like Vivek Singh (@VivekSi85847001), who expressed shock and concern over the perceived event. Similarly, A pro-Pakistani account – The Reporter pk (@Dailypost99) lent credibility to the misleading story by tweeting about a Russian thermobaric “vacuum bomb” allegedly destroying a Ukrainian army base. However, a closer examination of the situation reveals a different reality. This video, purportedly originating from Syria Bomb Blast, has been falsely linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Reality: An Old Video Reemerges

Upon thorough investigation, it became evident that the video in question was not a recent occurrence. Rather, it was footage from Syria, dating back to 2019, and held no connection to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This particular video has been accessible on various online platforms since 2019, debunking any claims of its recent origin. Its resurgence in 2022 further illustrates that it has no relevance to the current state of affairs between Russia and Ukraine.

A deeper inquiry led to the identification of the original sources of the video. In December 2019, a YouTube channel, Ruslan Kristallovich uploaded the video with the caption “Предположительно, ОДАБ 500П в Сирии” (Presumably, ODAB 500P in Syria). Another channel, Иван Петров, shared the video with the caption “Видео эффектного взрыва ОДАБ 500П в Сирии (неизвестного устройства) появилось в сети” (Video of the impressive explosion of ODAB 500P in Syria (unknown device) surfaced online). The video’s description clarified that it demonstrated the effects of an aviation bomb, possibly relating to the use of the ODAB-500P bomb in Syria against terrorist targets.

Misleading Narratives and Their Origins

Misinformation spread from diverse sources, with both pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian accounts contributing to the distortion. The false notion of a Russian “vacuum bomb” laying waste to a Ukrainian army base intensified the misinformation. Notably, these misleading claims align chronologically with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The video wrongly circulating as evidence of a recent Russian bomb attack on Ukraine is, in reality, an aged video from Syria. The dissemination of misleading narratives by various sources aimed to instigate panic and construct a false perception surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Following comprehensive analysis and meticulous fact-checking, our team has investigated the claim. You can refer to the findings of this inquiry in the Twitter thread embedded below.

Claim: A video circulating about a recent Russian bomb attack on Ukraine.

Fact: The video in question dates back to 2019 and has no connection to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In our pursuit of accurate and unbiased information, we’ve diligently fact-checked the claims surrounding the incident. Misinformation can sow discord and disrupt communal harmony. Your support matters greatly in our mission to foster an informed and united society. Together, let’s strive to make India and Indians proud, upholding truth and unity. Jai Hind.

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