Fact-checking the viral images from Russia’s attack on Ukraine

While diplomats from across the world met in an emergency session of the United Nations late Feb. 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of Russia’s attack of Ukraine. Immediately after his announcement, news crews reporting live from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, recorded audio of bombs dropping near the city. Social media users from across the European country reported hearing or seeing them near where they live. Soon after, social media users both from Ukraine and outside of it began posting videos and photos they claimed were from the ongoing war. The VERIFY team is identifying fake and misleading imagery from the conflict.