Misleading Social Media Post on Russian Missile Launch

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Concurrently, tensions between Russia and the United States are escalating, exacerbating the situation. Numerous misleading claims about military exercises and related activities are also circulating, contributing to the confusion and complexity of the conflict.

Social Media Posts

A recent video circulating on social media has been claimed to show a recent Russian missile launch near the coast of Florida.

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We decided to do a fact-check on this.

Fact Check

Origin of the Video: The video shows a missile launch from a Russian submarine in the White Sea, not near Florida. This footage was originally posted by Voice of America on May 23, 2018, capturing the test-firing of four intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from the Russian submarine Yuri Dolgoruky on May 22, 2018.

Verification Details:

The original video features the Voice of America watermark in the upper-right corner.

It also includes a credit to the Russian Ministry of Defense in the upper-left corner.

According to the Defence News, the mock warheads from this launch hit their practice targets on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The article can be reached here.

Current Context: While there are heightened tensions between Russia and the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the Pentagon is monitoring Russian warships conducting exercises in the Caribbean, the video in question is unrelated to these events.

Misinformation Trend: These posts are part of a broader pattern of misinformation on social media concerning Russian military activities.

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Conclusion:

The video circulating on social media purportedly showing a Russian missile launch near Florida is actually an old video from 2018 depicting a missile test in the White Sea. Social media users should verify the authenticity of such claims, especially given the current geopolitical tensions, which can fuel misinformation.

For accurate information, refer to credible news sources and official statements from relevant authorities.