2020 Photo of a Ukrainian Jet With a Road Sign On It Is Recirculating
The Claim
A photo shows a Ukrainian jet with a road sign stuck on it, because it was flying so low to avoid Russian radars.
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Emerging story
A photo is being shared on social media purporting to show a Ukrainian jet with a road sign stuck to it due to it flying so low to avoid radars during the ongoing Russian invasion.
Misbar’s Analysis
Upon investigating the circulating claim, Misbar found it to be misleading. Misbar's team translated the keywords "Ukraine," "Jet," and "road sign," then searched YouTube for video examples. A video was found uploaded, on August 28, 2020, by the channel whose logo appears in some of the photos beings shared.
A translation of an excerpt from the video’s accompanying description reads: “Did not keep up the speed. A Ukrainian fighter demolished a road sign while landing on the Kyiv-Chop international highway. These were exercises. The section of the highway was converted into a runway, and cars were allowed to bypass. The pilot of the "drying" hit the sign with an air intake. Then, together with the sign informing about the recommended speed - 90 kilometers per hour, he ascended into the sky.”
Using the same key words, Misbar’s team found an article published back in September 2020, bearing a title in Ukrainian, which says: “Not only cars but also planes are knocking down road signs in Rivne region.” Accordingly, the article reports that the incident happened during training exercises by the air force in Radyvyliv-Ukraine.
Based on these findings, Misbar’s team confirms that the incident, and the circulating photo, are unrelated to the ongoing war on Ukraine.
