#FactCheck -2018 Baba Ramdev Video on Cheap Petrol Resurfaces Amid Fuel Price Hike, Shared Out of Context
Executive Summary
Amid rising petrol and diesel prices in India, an old video statement by Baba Ramdev is being widely shared on social media. In the viral clip, Ramdev can be heard saying that if the government permits him to open petrol pumps, he can provide petrol and diesel across the country at Rs 35-40 per litre. He is also heard suggesting that petrol and diesel should be brought under the lowest GST slab. However, CyberPeace Research Wing research found the viral claim to be misleading. The research revealed that Baba Ramdev made the statement during a private news channel event in 2018 and has not made any such recent remark.
Claim
A Facebook user named “Aman Singh Bathla” shared the old video of Baba Ramdev on May 26, 2026, and wrote:
“I can provide petrol and diesel to the entire country at Rs 35-40 if the Modi government allows me to open petrol pumps!”
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2215528532606679
- https://perma.cc/LA4L-3KCK
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we closely examined the viral video and noticed the logo of NDTV in the clip. Based on this clue, we searched NDTV’s official YouTube channel using relevant keywords and found the original video uploaded on September 16, 2018. In the full video, Baba Ramdev is seen making the viral statement during the NDTV Youth Conclave. During the discussion, the anchor had asked him a question regarding rising fuel prices, and Ramdev responded with the now-viral remarks in that context.
During further searches, we also found reports about the same statement on the website of Oneindia dated September 17, 2018. The report quoted Ramdev as saying that if the government allowed him to set up petrol pumps and offered some tax relief, he could provide fuel at Rs 35-40 per litre. He also suggested bringing petroleum products under GST, preferably in the 5 to 12 percent slab, to provide relief to consumers.
Our research confirmed that Baba Ramdev’s viral statement dates back to 2018 and has no connection with the recent rise in fuel prices.
Conclusion
The viral post was found to be misleading. Baba Ramdev made the statement in September 2018 during a private news channel event. His old remarks are now being circulated out of context to create confusion over the current fuel price situation.
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Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media with the claim that it shows drone attacks on border posts and an oil platform in Kuwait, during which a worker was injured. The video begins with flames and thick smoke rising from what appears to be a compound-like area. A high metal fence and concrete barriers can be seen in front of the premises. On the left side of the video, flags resembling the national flag of Kuwait are visible. The video then shows a structure resembling an offshore oil platform located in the middle of the sea, from where smoke and flames can be seen emerging. In the final part, some personnel wearing military uniforms are seen standing near military vehicles, with a communication tower visible in the background. The video is being circulated with the claim that Kuwait’s border checkpoints and an oil platform were targeted in drone attacks. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that Kuwait had reported drone attacks on three northern border land centres and an offshore drilling platform linked to Kuwait Oil Company, in which one employee was reportedly injured. However, the video being circulated on social media is not related to those incidents. The video has been created using artificial intelligence (AI) and is being shared with a false claim.
Claim:
An Instagram user shared the viral video on July 18, 2026, claiming that it showed drone attacks on border posts and an oil platform in Kuwait. The link, archive link and screenshot of the post are provided below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da5di-cTw46/
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During our research, we did not find any credible news reports or authentic sources linking the viral video to the reported drone attacks in Kuwait.
https://x.com/KuwaitArmyGHQ/status/2076345395802710160?s=20
However, we found a statement issued by the Kuwait Army on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on July 12, 2026. According to Statement No. 70, three northern border land centres in Kuwait and an offshore drilling platform associated with Kuwait Oil Company were targeted in drone attacks. The statement also mentioned that one employee was injured in the incident. The Kuwait Army’s X post link and screenshot are provided below.
We further examined the video using another AI detection tool, DetectVideo AI, which suggested that the video had a 62% probability of being AI-generated.
For additional verification, we scanned the video through AI or Not. The tool indicated that the video was 90% likely to be AI-generated.
At the final stage of our research, we analysed the video using Sightengine, which also suggested that the video was 99% likely to be AI-generated.
Conclusion:
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral video is not real footage of drone attacks in Kuwait. The AI-generated video is being falsely linked to the reported drone attacks on three northern border land centres and an offshore drilling platform associated with Kuwait Oil Company. The claim being made with the video is therefore false and misleading.
Executive Summary:
Microsoft rolled out a set of major security updates in August, 2024 that fixed 90 cracks in the MS operating systems and the office suite; 10 of these had been exploited in actual hacker attacks and were zero-days. In the following discussion, these vulnerabilities are first outlined and then a general analysis of the contemporary cyber security threats is also undertaken in this blog. This blog seeks to give an acquainted and non-acquainted audience about these updates, the threat that these exploits pose, and prevent measures concerning such dangers.
1. Introduction
Nowadays, people and organisations face the problem of cybersecurity as technologies develop and more and more actions take place online. These cyber threats have not ceased to mutate and hence safeguarding organisations’ digital assets requires a proactive stand. This report is concerned with the vulnerabilities fixed by Microsoft in August 2024 that comprised a cumulative of 90 security weaknesses where six of them were zero-day exploits. All these make a terrible risk pose and thus, it is important to understand them as we seek to safeguard virtual properties.
2. Overview of Microsoft’s August 2024 Security Updates
August 2024 security update provided by Microsoft to its products involved 90 vulnerabilities for Windows, Office, and well known programs and applications. These updates are of the latest type which are released by Microsoft under its Patch Tuesday program, a regular cum monthly release of all Patch updates.
- Critical Flaws: As expected, seven of the 90 were categorised as Critical, meaning that these are flaws that could be leveraged by hackers to compromise the targeted systems or bring operations to a halt.
- Zero-Day Exploits: A zero-day attack can be defined as exploits, which are as of now being exploited by attackers while the software vendor has not yet developed a patch for the same. It had managed 10 zero-days with the August update, which underlines that Microsoft and its ecosystems remain at risk.
- Broader Impact: These are not isolated to the products of Microsoft only They still persist Despite this, these vulnerabilities are not exclusive to the Microsoft products only. Other vendors such as Adobe, Cisco, Google, and others also released security advisories to fix a variety of issues which proves today’s security world is highly connected.
3. Detailed Analysis of Key Vulnerabilities
This section provides an in-depth analysis of some of the most critical vulnerabilities patched in August 2024. Each vulnerability is explained in layman’s terms to ensure accessibility for all readers.
3. 1 CVE-2024-38189: Microsoft Project Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVSS score:8. 8) :
The problem is in programs that belong to the Microsoft Project family which is known to be a popular project management system. The vulnerability enables an attacker to produce a file to entice an user into opening it and in the process execute code on the affected system. This could possibly get the attacker full control of the user’s system as mentioned in the following section.
Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: Let us assume that one day you received a file which appears to be a normal word document. When it is opened, it is in a format that it secretly downloads a problematic program in the computer and this goes unnoticed. This is what could happen with this vulnerability, that is why it is very dangerous.
3. 2 CVE-2024-38178: Windows Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7.5):
Some of the risks relate to a feature known as the Windows Scripting Engine, which is an important system allowing a browser or an application to run scripts in a web page or an application. The weak point can result in corruption of memory space and an attacker can perform remote code execution with the possibility to affect the entire system.
Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: For the purpose of understanding how your computer memory works, imagine if your computer’s memory is a library. This vulnerability corrupts the structure of the library so that an intruder can inject malicious books (programs) which you may read (execute) on your computer and create havoc.
3. 3 CVE-2024-38193: WinSock Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7. 8 )
It opens up a security weakness in the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, which is an essential model that masks the communication between the two. It enables the attacker to gain new privileges on the particular system they have attacked, in this case they gain some more privileges on the attacked system and can access other higher activities or details.
Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: This flaw is like somebody gaining access to the key to your house master bedroom. They can also steal all your valuable items that were earlier locked and could only be accessed by you. It lets the attacker cause more havoc as soon as he gets inside your computer.
3. 4 CVE-2024-38106: Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability (CVSS score: 7. 0)
This vulnerability targets what is known as the Windows Kernel which forms the heart or main frameworks of the operating system that controls and oversees the functions of the computer components. This particular weakness can be exploited and an opponent will be able to get high-level access and ownership of the system.
Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: The kernel can be compared to the brain of your computer. It is especially dangerous that if someone can control the brain he can control all the rest, which makes it a severe weakness.
3. 5 CVE-2024-38213: Windows Mark of the Web Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability (CVSS score: 6.5).
This vulnerability enables the attackers to evade the SmartScreen component of Windows which is used to safeguard users from accessing unsafe files. This weakness can be easily used by the attackers to influence the users to open files that are otherwise malicious.
Explanation for Non-Technical Readers: Usually, before opening a file your computer would ask you in advance that opening the file may harm your computer. This weak point makes your computer believe that this dangerous file is good and then no warning will be given to you.
4. Implications of the Vulnerabilities
These vulnerabilities, importantly the zero-day exploits, have significant implications on all users.
- Data Breaches: These weaknesses can therefore be manipulated to cause exposures of various data, occasioning data leaks that put individual and corporate information and wealth.
- System Compromise: The bad guys could end up fully compromising the impacted systems meaning that they can put in malware, pilfer data or simply shut down a program.
- Financial Loss: The organisations that do not patch these vulnerabilities on the shortest notice may end up experiencing a lot of losses because of having to deal with a lot of downtimes on their systems, having to incur the costs of remediating the systems that have been breached and also dealing with legal repercussions.
- Reputation Damage: Security breaches and IT system corruptions can result in loss of customer and partner confidence in an organisation’s ability to protect their information affecting its reputation and its position in the market.
5. Recommendations for Mitigating Risks
Immediate measures should be taken regarding the risks linked to these issues since such weaknesses pose a rather high threat. The following are recommendations suitable for both technical and non-technical users.
5. 1 Regular Software Updates
Make it a point that all the software, particularly operating systems and all Microsoft applications are updated. Any system out there needs to update it from Microsoft, and its Patch Tuesday release is crucial.
For Non-Technical Users: As much as possible, reply ‘yes’ to updates whenever your computer or smartphone prompts for it. These updates correct security matters and secure your instruments.
5. 2 Realisation of Phishing Attacks
Most of the risks are normally realised through phishing techniques. People should be taught diversifiable actions that come with crazy emails like clicking on links and opening attachments.
For Non-Technical Users: Do not respond to emails from unknown people and if they make you follow a link or download a file, do not do it. If it looks like spam, do not click on it.
5. 3 Security Software
Strong and reliable antivirus and anti-malware software can be used to identify and avoid the attacks that might have high chances of using these vulnerabilities.
For Non-Technical Users: Ensure you download a quality antivirus and always update it. This works like a security guard to your computer by preventing bad programs.
5. 4 Introduce Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA works in a way to enforce a second factor of authentication before the account can be accessed; for instance, a user will be asked to input a text message or an authentication application.
For Non-Technical Users: NS is to make use of two-factor authentication on your accounts. It is like increasing the security measures that a man who has to burgle a house has to undergo by having to hammer an additional lock on the door.
5. 5 Network segmentations and Privileges management
Network segmentation should be adopted by organisations to prevent the spread of attacks while users should only be granted the privileges required to do their activities.
For Non- Technical Users: Perform the assessments of user privileges and the networks frequently and alter them in an effort of reducing the extent of the attacks.
6. Global Cybersecurity Landscape and Vendor Patches
The other major vendors have also released patches to address security vulnerabilities in their products. The interdependent nature of technology has the effect on the entire digital ecosystem.
- Adobe, Cisco, Google, and Others: These companies have released updates to address the weaknesses in their products that are applied in different sectors. These patches should be applied promptly to enhance cybersecurity.
- Collaboration and Information Sharing:Security vendors as well as researchers and experts in the cybersecurity domain, need to remain vigilant and keep on sharing information on emerging threats in cyberspace.
7. Conclusion
The security updates companies such as Microsoft and other vendors illustrate the present day fight between cybersecurity experts and cybercriminals. All the vulnerabilities addressed in this August 2024 update cycle are a call for prudence and constant protection of digital platforms. These vulnerabilities explain the importance of maintaining up-to-date systems, being aware of potential threats, and implementing robust security practices. Therefore, it is important to fortify our shield in this ever expanding threat domain, in order to be safe from attackers who use this weakness for their malicious purposes.
Executive Summary:
A video claiming to show the plane crash that allegedly killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been widely circulated on social media. The circulation began soon after reports emerged of a tragic aircraft accident in Baramati, Maharashtra, on January 28, 2026, in which Ajit Pawar and five others were reported to have died. The viral video shows a plane crashing to the ground moments after take-off. Social media users have claimed that the footage captures the exact incident in which Ajit Pawar was on board. However, an research by the CyberPeacehas found that this claim is false.
Claim:
An Instagram user shared the video on January 28, 2026, claiming that it showed the plane crash in Maharashtra in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and others allegedly lost their lives. The caption accompanying the video read:“This morning, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and six others tragically died in a plane crash in Maharashtra.”
Links to the post and its archived version are provided below.
Fact Check:
To verify the authenticity of the viral video, the CyberPeaceconducted a reverse image search of its keyframes. During this process, the same visuals were found in a video report uploaded on News9 Live’s official YouTube channel on October 23, 2025.
According to the report, the footage shows a plane crash in Venezuela, not India. The incident occurred shortly after a Piper Cheyenne aircraft took off from Paramillo Airport in Táchira, Venezuela. The aircraft crashed within seconds of take-off, killing both occupants on board. The deceased were identified as pilot José Bortone and co-pilot Juan Maldonado. Further confirmation came from a report published on October 22, 2025, by Latin American news outlet El Tiempo. The Spanish-language report also featured the same video visuals and stated that a small aircraft lost control and crashed on the runway at Paramillo Airport in Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot.
Conclusion
The CyberPeace’s research clearly establishes that the viral video being shared as footage of Ajit Pawar’s alleged plane crash in Baramati is misleading. The video actually shows a plane crash that occurred in Venezuela in October 2025 and has been falsely linked to a tragic claim in India.
