This Video Does Not Show Russia's Air Raids on the Ukrainian Port City of Odesa
The Claim
A video clip shows various scenes of Russian missiles targeting two British cargo vessels transporting weapons to Ukraine, resulting in multiple significant detonations.
Emerging story
Recently, social media users widely circulated a video purporting to feature various scenes where Russian missiles target two British cargo vessels transporting weapons to Ukraine, resulting in multiple significant detonations.
A Twitter user writes, “
The port of Odessa, Ukraine, was hit by four to six Russian missiles that hit two British cargo ships that were just below the ground, triggering a massive EXPLOSION. British ships carrying high explosives.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
Through a comprehensive reverse image search of the scenes depicted in the video clip, Misbar's team discovered that the large explosion features the 2020 Beirut explosion.
The Video Clips Feature the 2020 Beirut Explosion
Contrary to viral claims, the video does not feature various scenes where Russian missiles are targeting two British cargo vessels transporting weapons to Ukraine.
The first footage displays the explosion that occurred at Beirut Port in Lebanon back in 2020.
These identical visuals were shared in an Instagram post along with the caption: "These explosion happened in Beirut in 2020 and of course we knew about it but the video show the explosion and recordings from different angles and captures how frightening war and experiences like this truly are.”
Conducting a reverse search on the second video, Misbar's team found the video in a tweet dating back to August 5, 2020.
The tweet indicated that the footage displayed a perspective of the blast's explosion from Dog Palace Lebanon and Maverick’s Cafe.
The individual responsible for sharing the video, Jack G. Issa, accompanied the video with the caption, "Big explosion in #beirut #lebanon view from @dogpalacelebanon @maverickscafebar #beirut_port_explosion we are all fine also our dogs are ok."
The third video also shows the Beirut Port explosion in 2020. Mirror, a media outlet, published the original video among other videos showing distressing scenes from the explosion.
The fourth video captures the Beirut port explosion as seen from the sea. A YouTube channel uploaded the original footage on August 6, 2020.
The fifth video also features the Beirut port explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020.
Sky News’s YouTube channel published the video on August 6, 2020, under the caption, “Explained: What happened in deadly Beirut explosion.”
The last video is likewise outdated and presents the massive explosion that took place at Beirut port in 2020. An Instagram account shared this video with the caption, "Massive Explosion in Beirut Port ShockWave."
Beirut Port Explosion
A devastating blast struck the port of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 160 lives and causing approximately 6,000 injuries. The explosion unleashed a powerful shockwave that inflicted extensive damage upon roads and structures, shattering glass across a considerable distance.
In the densely populated urban area, which boasts a population exceeding 2 million, approximately 300,000 individuals were promptly displaced from their homes. These families have been compelled to seek temporary refuge with relatives, friends, or within schools and other communal edifices. As per local evaluations, the urgent requirements of up to 500,000 people may encompass essentials like nourishment, clothing, and shelter.
The explosion was triggered by the detonation of a substantial quantity of ammonium nitrate, a volatile chemical compound frequently employed in agriculture as a potent nitrate-based fertilizer. However, this compound also possesses the potential for the production of explosives.
Russian Airstrikes Damage Odesa Port Infrastructure
On July 18, Russian air strikes caused damage to the infrastructure of the Odesa port in Ukraine. These strikes, involving missiles and drones, were launched overnight targeting southern and eastern Ukraine.
Odesa, a significant port for Ukraine's grain exports, suffered from the attack. This offensive came in response to a recent explosion on a bridge linking Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia attributed to Ukraine.
Ukraine's air force managed to intercept and shoot down six Kalibr missiles and 31 out of 36 drones during the overnight strikes. The missiles and drones were taken down over various regions, including Odesa, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
The southern military command of Ukraine reported that falling debris and shockwaves caused damage to homes and unspecified parts of the port infrastructure in Odesa. While no fatalities were reported, an elderly man sustained injuries in the incident.
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