These Photos Do Not Show the Devastation Caused by Russia’s Bombing in Kyiv
The Claim
Photos depict the destruction of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv by the Russian bombing.
News posted on
Emerging story
Accounts and pages on Facebook and Twitter have recently circulated photos purporting to show the Russian bombing of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulated claim and discovered it to be misleading. Three of the photos circulating online were taken in February 2014, when anti-Ukrainian government protesters clashed with security forces in Kyiv, culminating in the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
The first photo was taken in Kyiv's Independence Square on February 19, 2014, during clashes between protesters and security forces.
The second photo, taken on February 19, 2014, shows fires in Kyiv's Independence Square, which were started by clashes between protesters and security forces.
The third image depicts protests and clashes on February 20, 2014, in Kyiv's Independence Square.
The fourth image, which depicted fires and smoke plumes rising near Kyiv, was released on February 25, 2022, one day after Russia's military operation in Ukraine began.
Translated by Wesam Abo Marq
