Social posts mislead by sharing 2017 movie clip of Ukrainian soldiers saying goodbye to loved ones

As the world watches Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfold, it’s easy to get caught up in the many emotional images and stories that are rapidly spreading online. 

Many of these scenes of the war are real. But some are unrelated to the ongoing conflict, like a viral video shared on Facebook that shows two men dressed in military gear apparently leaving for war as they embrace sobbing women.

“Praying everyone comes home safe,” the caption of the Feb. 25 post reads.

The video isn’t a legitimate clip from this war.

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

The footage stems from a 2017 Ukrainian film called “The War of Chimeras” directed by Anastasiia Starozhytska and Mariia Starozhytska. The movie follows the story of a young couple during the 2014 Battle of Ilovaisk, which took place near the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. 

Reverse-image searches pulled up YouTube videos about the movie that match the clips shared on social media, including the trailer uploaded in July 2017. 

We rate posts claiming the 2017 movie clip depicts the 2022 invasion False.

By

Samantha Putterman

Staff Writer

March 1, 2022

Truth-o-meter Ruling

False

IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT

• The scene in the clip is not a legitimate depiction of Ukrainian soldiers leaving loved ones to fight Russia in 2022. It’s from a 2017 Ukrainian documentary film.

Statement

Video shows Ukrainian soldiers saying goodbye to loved ones amid Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Context

a Facebook post

Speaker/Target

Speaker: Facebook posts

Statement Date

March 25, 2022