Misleading Photo of Russian Troops Withdrawing from Ukrainian Border
The Claim
A photo depicts Russian troops withdrawing from the Ukrainian border.
News posted on
Emerging story
A photo purportedly showing Russian forces withdrawing from the Ukrainian border and returning to their permanent bases has recently circulated on Facebook accounts and pages.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the widely circulated claim and discovered it to be misleading. The photo was taken by Russian photographer Alexei Kitaev. It was previously published by "RUSSIA'S ARMS" as a tank unit training exercise in the military area of the Chibarkleski training field.
The circulated claim followed a statement issued yesterday, February 15, by Major General Igor Konashenkov, the official representative of the Russian Defense Forces, that some Russian troops deployed near the Ukrainian border had begun to return to the permanent deployment unit after the completion of combat exercises, according to the statement, which was accompanied by a video documenting the movement of some troops from where they were deployed on the Ukrainian border. Some training is still taking place, according to Interfax.
Following international concern and Western warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, the image began to circulate. Furthermore, some countries requested that their citizens living on Ukrainian territory leave the country.
Translated by Wesam Abo Marq
