While Russia continues its strikes in Ukraine, some claim on the networks that the Russian army dropped leaflets to warn the inhabitants of kyiv of imminent strikes on the capital. Images show civilians in panic. In reality, these images come from Lebanon.
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The photo quickly exceeded a million views on X (formerly Twitter) in just a few hours. We see hundreds of cars stuck in a monster traffic jam. Internet users are talking about widespread panic in kyiv, Ukraine.
“ There have been reports of Russian forces distributing leaflets in kyiv, warning residents to evacuate their homes due to imminent airstrikes. This tactic, aimed at sowing fear and displacing civilians, has been seen in previous conflicts. This situation highlights the escalation of tensions and the urgent need for diplomatic interventions to protect civilians and prevent further escalation », Comments a user. Another adds: “ Russia must attack the major cities of Europe before the imperialist devil does too much harm to Russia “.
Checked, this photo has nothing to do with Ukraine. We geolocated the scene. It takes place in Lebanon, in front of the Phenicia hotelclose to the Corniche Al Manara. We recognize the front of the hotel, the flag and a building close to the cornice.
In reality, these images show Beirut residents leaving the capital to escape Israeli bombings.
Sowing trouble and terror
The accounts that share this photo also publish a video in which we observe several civilians fleeing on foot. The video appears to have been filmed by an individual on a motorcycle or scooter. But once again, these images come from Lebanon and not Ukraine, as shown by a poster in memory of the former leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, visible by improving the brightness of the video.
Several Lebanese Internet users shared this video, locating it in Beirut. This misappropriation of the image of a conflict aims both to sow doubt in international opinion and to terrorize Ukrainians, already daily targets of Russian bombings.