Fact Check: NOT Op Spider's Web! ARMA 3 clip shared as Ukraine's attack on Russian aircraft
Under Operation Spider's Web, which was planned for more than a year and a half, a swarm of Ukrainian drones struck at least five military airbases deep inside Russia's borders. Per reports, the much-talked-about attack on June 1 left more than 40 Russian aircraft in flames.Amid this, a video allegedly showing the drone attack started making the rounds on social media. The clip showed several aircraft on fire as multiple explosions took place, seemingly at an air base. Drone-like objects could also be seen flying in the sky above. advertisementThose sharing the clip wrote, 'Breaking: Footage shows the destruction of Russian jets by Ukrainian drones.'
Some news reports have even used a screenshot from this video in their reports about Ukraine's Op Spider's Web.
India Today Fact Check, however, found that this is an 'Arma 3' video game footage.OUR PROBEReverse-searching keyframes from the viral clip led us to an extended version of it, shared on a YouTube channel on January 1, 2025. The description read: '40 Russian strategic bombers TU-95 destroyed in daring Ukrainian FPV-Drone swarm raid. Arma 3 Footage! Not real news!' This YouTube video is a compilation of multiple clips showing aerial attacks on aircraft using drones. This channel has posted a few other similar videos as well. All of these clips have a disclaimer in the description stating that 'these videos are made for entertainment and educational purposes in military simulator ARMA 3.'advertisementMultiple videos of Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web have surfaced on social media showing Russian aircraft on fire. However, the video in question is from Arma 3 and has nothing to do with Op Spider's Web.It is noteworthy that videos of Arma 3 gameplay have been shared in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war earlier as well. Our reports on such military simulation videos can be read here and here.Must Watch
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