Ukraine invasion: False claims the war is a hoax go viral
What it’s about: International politics, the war in Ukraine, deepfakes/fabricated video footage, media brand hijacking.
What type it is: Fabricated content / Imposter content (entirely made-up information using cloned graphic overlays and logos of a reputable broadcaster to appear authentic).
In brief: Photos and videos professionally edited to match the official broadcast style of BBC News began circulating rapidly on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram. The clip claimed that due to a major navigation error, the Ukrainian military accidentally dropped crates of Western-supplied weapons directly into Russian-controlled trenches. It featured a forged BBC news ticker and their signature font. BBC’s investigative team (BBC Verify) quickly debunked the clip, confirming the broadcaster never produced such a report. The footage used in the video was actually stolen from years-old, unrelated archival clips and digitally reassembled. The operation aimed to damage the Ukrainian military’s reputation and mock their operational competence
