Russian propaganda's manipulation: fakes about missile strike on Odesa 

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military expert, analyzed a video of a Russian missile being intercepted by Ukrainian air defense in a recent attack on Odesa.

Commonly, Russian propaganda emphasizes hitting strategic decision-making centers, weapon or equipment storage facilities, or bases with foreign mercenaries. However, when civilian objects like apartment buildings, schools, or supermarkets are struck, their narrative swiftly shifts to blaming Ukrainian air defense missiles.

During the night of August 14, Russian invading forces launched 8 Kalibr missiles and 15 Shahed-136 “kamikaze” drones at Odesa. While all targets were successfully intercepted, some were shot down over urban areas, leading to damage to civilian targets.

Predictably, Russian propagandists initiated their narrative, claiming that Ukrainian air defense missiles hit Odesa residents' homes. Yet, this claim is far from the truth. To dismantle this fake, Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military expert, examined a video posted on the propagandist channel Typical Odesa, known for its Russian administration and questionable content.

The video portrays Ukraine's air defense forces successfully intercepting a Russian missile. However, Typical Odesa falsely claims that it shows the fall of an air defense missile. A detailed analysis of each frame debunks this distortion.

In Frame #1, the trajectory of the departing air defense missile is traced toward the presumed Kalibr target.

Frame #2 captures the moment of the surface-to-air missile's warhead detonation, releasing destructive elements intended to damage the intercepted missile.

“There we also see the inversion trace of the flying missile, following its trajectory. That is, the ejection of elements in the direction of the SLCM,” the expert states.

Frame #3 highlights how the impactors damaged the missile and it began to dive in a spiral trajectory, indicating engine damage.

Russian sources falsely assert that this is the fall of an air defense missile. This deliberate distortion seeks to manipulate public opinion, preying on misinformation.

“An important point to highlight is that shooting down a missile doesn't equate to its vanishing from existence. The remnants of the intercepted missile descend to the ground, inducing destruction, igniting fires, and triggering explosions. Propagandists exploit these effects, alongside the narrow perspective of alarmists, to craft their manipulative narratives,” the expert noted.

Stay vigilant against Russian propaganda and maintain critical thinking. Refuse to be manipulated and be wary of misinformation.