Navigating the Path to CyberPeace: Insights and Strategies
Featured #factCheck Blogs
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that the Chinese Army has entered 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh and occupied Indian territory. In the video, a man appears to be recording the situation using his selfie camera, while soldiers can be seen standing face-to-face and arguing with each other in the background. The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is not from Arunachal Pradesh. It shows a confrontation between India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the India-Bangladesh border.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the video with the caption:
"China is entering 60 km inside India and occupying Arunachal Pradesh. China is turning Arunachal Pradesh into its territory. Where are Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah?"
Post link:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1736825064305394
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1736825064305394
FactCheck
Our research found no credible news report confirming that Chinese troops had entered 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh or occupied Indian territory.
The people in the viral video can be heard speaking in Bengali, suggesting that the footage could be from the India-Bangladesh border rather than Arunachal Pradesh.
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led us to an identical video posted on the Facebook page of Bangladeshi news channel Jamuna TV on June 20. According to the caption, the incident took place along the Chapainawabganj border in Bangladesh, where personnel of India’s BSF and Bangladesh’s BGB had confronted each other.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1049262804595610
We also found reports from Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom Alo about the incident. According to the reports, Bangladeshi security personnel had stopped around 20 people who were attempting to return to Bangladesh from India, following which a verbal altercation took place between BSF and BGB personnel.
https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/syzkfootaq
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video does not show Chinese troops entering or occupying 60 kilometres of territory inside Arunachal Pradesh. It actually shows a confrontation between BSF and BGB personnel along the India-Bangladesh border in the Chapainawabganj area of Bangladesh. The footage is being circulated with a false Arunachal Pradesh-related narrative.
Executive Summary
A video of journalist Ravish Kumar is being widely shared on social media. The video is being circulated with the claim that Kumar criticised Abhijeet Deepak, the CJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders over the CJP’s alleged absence from the ongoing student protest in Jharkhand. The CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The research established that the original video of Ravish Kumar was digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), and altered audio was added before it was shared with a misleading claim.
Claim
A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the viral video on August 7, 2026, with the caption: “Ravish Kumar has brain fever. CJP is exposing the leaders’ true colors.”
https://x.com/nehraji778/status/2085772474915164506
Factcheck
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found a video uploaded on Ravish Kumar’s official YouTube channel on July 29, 2026.
The visuals in the original video match those seen in the viral clip. Ravish Kumar can be seen wearing the same clothes and appearing in almost the same frame as in the viral video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdn_hfyZVRM
In the next step, we analysed the viral video using Hive Moderation. The tool indicated a 97 per cent probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
The research found that the viral claim is false. The visuals are taken from a genuine video of Ravish Kumar, but the original footage has been digitally manipulated and altered audio has been added using AI. The modified video is being circulated with a misleading claim that Kumar criticised Abhijeet Deepak, CJP and AAP leaders over the Jharkhand student protest.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that the Chinese Army has entered 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh and occupied Indian territory. In the video, a man appears to be recording the situation using his selfie camera, while soldiers can be seen standing face-to-face and arguing with each other in the background. The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is not from Arunachal Pradesh. It shows a confrontation between India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh’s Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the India-Bangladesh border.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the video with the caption:
"China is entering 60 km inside India and occupying Arunachal Pradesh. China is turning Arunachal Pradesh into its territory. Where are Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah?"
Post link:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1736825064305394
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1736825064305394
FactCheck
Our research found no credible news report confirming that Chinese troops had entered 60 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh or occupied Indian territory.
The people in the viral video can be heard speaking in Bengali, suggesting that the footage could be from the India-Bangladesh border rather than Arunachal Pradesh.
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led us to an identical video posted on the Facebook page of Bangladeshi news channel Jamuna TV on June 20. According to the caption, the incident took place along the Chapainawabganj border in Bangladesh, where personnel of India’s BSF and Bangladesh’s BGB had confronted each other.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1049262804595610
We also found reports from Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom Alo about the incident. According to the reports, Bangladeshi security personnel had stopped around 20 people who were attempting to return to Bangladesh from India, following which a verbal altercation took place between BSF and BGB personnel.
https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/syzkfootaq
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video does not show Chinese troops entering or occupying 60 kilometres of territory inside Arunachal Pradesh. It actually shows a confrontation between BSF and BGB personnel along the India-Bangladesh border in the Chapainawabganj area of Bangladesh. The footage is being circulated with a false Arunachal Pradesh-related narrative.
Executive Summary
A video of journalist Ravish Kumar is being widely shared on social media. The video is being circulated with the claim that Kumar criticised Abhijeet Deepak, the CJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders over the CJP’s alleged absence from the ongoing student protest in Jharkhand. The CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The research established that the original video of Ravish Kumar was digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), and altered audio was added before it was shared with a misleading claim.
Claim
A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the viral video on August 7, 2026, with the caption: “Ravish Kumar has brain fever. CJP is exposing the leaders’ true colors.”
https://x.com/nehraji778/status/2085772474915164506
Factcheck
To verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found a video uploaded on Ravish Kumar’s official YouTube channel on July 29, 2026.
The visuals in the original video match those seen in the viral clip. Ravish Kumar can be seen wearing the same clothes and appearing in almost the same frame as in the viral video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdn_hfyZVRM
In the next step, we analysed the viral video using Hive Moderation. The tool indicated a 97 per cent probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
The research found that the viral claim is false. The visuals are taken from a genuine video of Ravish Kumar, but the original footage has been digitally manipulated and altered audio has been added using AI. The modified video is being circulated with a misleading claim that Kumar criticised Abhijeet Deepak, CJP and AAP leaders over the Jharkhand student protest.
Executive Summary
A video is going viral on social media showing police personnel allegedly dragging an elderly woman. The video is being shared with the claim that it was filmed in Manipur and shows the Indian Army committing atrocities against women. The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the viral video is not from Manipur. It was recorded during protests against the Ken-Betwa Link Project in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, and is being circulated with a misleading claim.
Claim:
A video shared on social media claims that the Indian Army is committing atrocities against local people, particularly women, in Manipur. The post further alleges that R&AW chief Parag Jain is allowing Manipur to burn and that people will never forget the alleged brutality.
https://x.com/i/status/2084180049285005687
Factcheck
To verify the claim, our team extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found the same video uploaded on the Facebook page of Public Vani News on July 31. The accompanying description stated: “Police action against an elderly tribal woman is shameful. During protests against the Ken-Betwa Link Project in Chhatarpur, a video showing police removing an elderly tribal woman has gone viral. Protesters claim they were holding a Jal Satyagraha, hunger strike and Chita Andolan while demanding fair compensation and protection of their land, forests and homes.”
The post and screenshot are provided below:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1031078973033873
In the next step of the research, we found the same video on an Instagram channel named policemedianews, where it was shared without the misleading Manipur-related claim. The post link and screenshot are provided below
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbfALvaT4mH/
Conclusion:
The research found that the viral claim is misleading. The video is not from Manipur and does not show Indian Army personnel targeting women there. The footage is from protests against the Ken-Betwa Link Project in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, where police were seen removing an elderly tribal woman during the demonstration. The video is being shared on social media with a false context.
Executive Summary
A video showing protesters and smoke rising from an area is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it depicts violent protests in Nepal over demands to declare the country a Hindu nation. The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is actually from the Gen-Z protests in Nepal in September 2025 and is unrelated to the recent demands for a Hindu state.
Claim
Following reports of communal violence in Nepal in July 2026, an organisation submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Soodan Gurung, calling for discussions on declaring Nepal a Hindu nation. Against this backdrop, a video showing protesters and smoke has gone viral on social media. A Facebook user, ‘New Buzz’, shared the video on August 5, 2026, with the caption:
"Protests and discussions are being seen in several places in Nepal over the demand for a Hindu nation. People have different views on this issue. One should reach a conclusion only on the basis of official decisions and credible information."
https://www.facebook.com/reel/27872198842449234
https://ghostarchive.org/archive/P89Qo
FactCheck:
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. The search led us to a post by India Today journalist Marya Shakil on X, dated September 9, 2025. She had shared the same video and identified it as footage from the Gen-Z protests in Nepal against corruption
https://x.com/maryashakil/status/1965364156992782723?s=20
We also found a related news report on the NBC News YouTube channel, published on September 9, 2025. The video report also identified the footage as being from the protests in Nepal..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnhHoH0XKE
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video being shared as footage of violent protests in Nepal over the demand for a Hindu nation actually dates back to the September 2025 Gen-Z protests against corruption. Although an organisation submitted a 13-point memorandum to Nepal's Home Minister following the July 2026 communal violence, including a demand for discussions on declaring Nepal a Hindu nation, the viral video is unrelated to that development.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media, showing a man firing a pistol. The video is being shared with the claim that it is from the recent protests in Rawalakot, Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It is further claimed that the person seen in the video is associated with the Indian Action Committee, who is firing at security forces and later portraying themselves as victims after facing retaliation. The CyberPeace Research Wing analysed the viral video and found several visual inconsistencies. Further analysis using AI detection tools revealed that the viral video was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim:
A video shared on social media claims to show protesters associated with the Indian Action Committee directly firing at security forces. The post further claims that these individuals later present themselves as victims after facing a response from authorities.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1052887838090429/permalink/27742200445399139/?rdid=EMCXtwaN9n4OwqFc#
Fact Check:
During the research, the viral video was analysed and multiple visual inconsistencies were observed. At the beginning of the clip, two men riding a motorcycle can be seen behind the person firing the gun. However, instead of moving away from the firing spot, they appear to move towards the direction where the shooting is taking place. Additionally, the hand and head movements of one of the passengers on the motorcycle appear unnatural and distorted, which are common signs of AI-generated content.
In the next step of the research, the viral video was scanned using Hive Moderation. The results indicated that the video had a 63 per cent probability of being AI-generated.
The video was also analysed using Sightengine, which flagged it as 99 per cent AI-generated.
Conclusion:
The research found that the viral video does not show a real incident from the recent protests in Rawalakot, Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The video contains multiple visual inconsistencies, and analysis through AI detection tools also confirmed that it was generated using artificial intelligence. Therefore, the claim that the video shows an Indian Action Committee member firing at security forces during the protests is false.
Executive Summary
A video clip carrying the logo of news channel Republic is being shared on social media. In the video, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is allegedly heard saying, "If these radical Muslim terrorists do not back off from imposing terror-based governance over Bangladesh, our goal will be to finish them by any means. I will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Bangla a single province by combining East and West Bengal. We will bring back a secular democracy, which I will lead in the future to restore Bangla to its secular roots." The CyberPeace Research Wing found that the visuals in the viral video are genuine, but the audio has been altered using artificial intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a false claim.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the video claiming that Sheikh Hasina proposed merging East and West Bengal to create a single province during her recent address. The link to the post, archive link, and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1567119714918951
FactCheck
During the research, several key frames from the viral video were extracted and a reverse image search was conducted using Google Lens. The search led us to the original video of Sheikh Hasina’s interaction available on the official social media accounts of Republic News. The link to the post and screenshot are provided below.
https://x.com/republic/status/2084999748755554323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Republic shared the original video on its official X account on August 5, 2026. A comparison between the viral clip and the original footage revealed that the alleged statement about merging East and West Bengal into a single province does not appear anywhere in the authentic video. In the original video, Sheikh Hasina can be heard discussing the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies during periods of unrest. The controversial audio added to the viral clip is not part of the original recording. Further analysis of the viral video’s audio raised suspicion that it was AI-generated. The video was scanned using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which indicated a 91 per cent probability that the speech used in the viral video was AI-generated.
In the next step of the research, the viral audio was analysed using the Resemble AI tool. The results indicated that the audio was likely manipulated, suggesting that it had been altered using artificial intelligence (AI).
Conclusion:
The research found that the visuals used in the viral video are genuine, but the audio has been modified using AI and is being shared with a false claim. The claim that Sheikh Hasina spoke about merging East and West Bengal into a single province is false.
Executive Summary
A post is going viral across various social media platforms claiming that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over the issue of adulteration in food products. According to the claim, WHO has warned that milk adulteration is continuously increasing in India and if it continues, 87 percent of Indians will suffer from cancer by 2035. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral claim has been circulating on social media for several years. Earlier, the same claim was shared with the year changed to 2025, stating that 87 percent of Indians would suffer from cancer by that year. Now, the year has been changed from 2025 to 2035 and the claim is being circulated again. WHO has repeatedly denied this claim and termed it fake news.
Claim:
A Facebook user named ‘Vikalp Kuchamancity’ shared the viral post on August 3, 2026, with a caption claiming, “India produces 14 crore litres of milk, but consumption is 64 crore litres. Where does this extra milk come from? WHO has warned that if adulteration is not stopped, 87 percent of Indians may suffer from cancer by 2035.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=968660469565357&set=a.109816988783047
Fact Check:
While examining the viral post, we noticed that the report displayed in the image carries the date September 19, 2035, even though the current year is 2026. This raised initial doubts about the authenticity of the claim.To investigate further, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During the search, we found a post from the official Facebook page of WHO India, shared on August 3, 2026. The post denied the viral claim and stated that it is false that WHO issued any advisory to the Indian government warning that adulteration in milk and dairy products could lead to cancer and other diseases among 87 percent of Indians by 2035. WHO clarified that no such advisory has been issued.
WHO India Facebook link:
According to data mentioned in a press release issued by the Government of India on November 26, 2025, the country’s total milk production was estimated at 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25, compared to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24. The per capita availability of milk increased from 319 grams per day in 2014-15 to 485 grams per day in 2024-25. The top five milk-producing states are Uttar Pradesh (15.66%), Rajasthan (14.82%), Madhya Pradesh (9.12%), Gujarat (7.78%), and Maharashtra (6.71%). Together, these states contribute 54.09% of India’s total milk production.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2195049®=3&lang=2
Conclusion:
The research confirmed that there is no evidence of any WHO warning stating that 87 percent of Indians could develop cancer by 2035 due to milk adulteration. WHO has clarified that it has not issued any such advisory. The viral claim is a recycled false claim that has been repeatedly circulated with changed dates.
Executive Summary:
A photo is being circulated on social media with the claim that it shows Ram Prakash, an official from the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK), participating in a protest organised over issues related to PoK. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim associated with the image to be false. The research confirmed that the image was digitally modified using OpenAI’s AI tools.
Claim:
A user on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared the viral image on August 4, 2026, claiming that Shri Ram Prakash, an official from the Indian High Commission in London, was seen formally participating in a protest organised by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The post link, archive link, and screenshot are provided below:
https://x.com/i/birdwatch/t/2084551118189904105?source=6
Fact Check:
During the research, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. We traced the original source of the viral visual to a social media post shared by Pakistani media outlet GEO News’ UK Bureau Chief Murtaza Ali Shah on August 2, 2024.
The post featured a video of a protest held in Luton, United Kingdom, where a large number of British Kashmiris were seen marching to express concerns over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). At the time, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) was leading a prolonged protest in the region.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1383400640416385
At the 1:23 mark of the video shared by the Pakistani journalist, we found the same scene that appears in the viral image. However, the individual seen in the viral image does not appear in the original footage. Instead, the video shows a different person participating in the protest.
To further verify the authenticity of the image, we analysed it using multiple AI detection tools, including OpenAI’s image detection tool. The analysis detected provenance signals associated with OpenAI tools such as ChatGPT, OpenAI API, or Codex. These signals indicate that the image was created or modified using OpenAI’s AI tools.
Conclusion:
The research established that the viral image has been manipulated to falsely portray Indian High Commission official Ram Prakash as a participant in the protest. The original footage shows a different individual, while AI analysis confirmed that the image was modified using OpenAI tools. Therefore, the claim circulating with the image is misleading.
Executive Summary
An image is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it shows the destruction caused by an explosion at a mall in Japan following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in July 2026. The viral image shows a shopping complex in a severely damaged condition, allegedly after the incident. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral image does not show damage caused by an explosion or earthquake at any mall in Japan. The visuals in the image do not match authentic photographs of the affected shopping complex. The research further revealed that the viral image was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Claim
A social media post claims that the AEON Mall in Japan exploded after the Kumamoto earthquake and a gas leak was suspected. The post, published in Burmese language on Facebook on July 29, 2026, shared an image claiming to show the aftermath of the incident at the mall.
FactCheck
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During the search, we found a report published by France24, which stated that the Kumamoto disaster management office released updated figures following the earthquake. According to the report, seven bodies were recovered from the debris, steel and wires of the Aeon shopping mall after a suspected gas blast. The report further stated that eight people were confirmed dead at the Nippon Paper Industries factory in Yatsushiro city, where part of a red-and-white smokestack collapsed. Following the 7.1-magnitude earthquake, five others were reported to be in critical condition, while around 9,500 residents were staying in evacuation centres in Kyushu, southwestern Japan.
http://france24.com/en/live-news/20260730-up-to-23-feared-dead-in-japan-quake
However, the viral image showed several visual inconsistencies and was flagged as AI-generated.
To further examine the authenticity of the image, we scanned it using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The results indicated that the image had an 84 percent probability of being AI-generated.
We also analysed the image using Human Meter, where the results showed a 75 percent probability that the image was AI-generated.
In the final stage of the research, we scanned the image using another AI detection tool, AI Image Detector. The tool indicated that the image had a 95 percent probability of being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
The research established that the viral image is not an authentic photograph of the damage caused by the Kumamoto earthquake or any explosion at an Aeon Mall in Japan. The image contains multiple inconsistencies and was found to be AI-generated. Therefore, the claim linking the image to the Japan earthquake incident is false.
Executive Summary
A purported letter issued in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is being widely shared on social media. The letter claims that the government has not made any changes to the reservation system regarding the “Remove Reservation Movement” and appeals to people not to pay attention to rumours. The viral letter is dated July 27, 2026, and also carries what appear to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signatures in both Hindi and English.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has neither issued any official statement regarding reservation nor released any such letter. No credible media reports related to the alleged letter were found. The research further revealed that the purported reservation-related letter circulating on social media was a fake document created with the help of AI.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the alleged letter issued in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office on July 30, 2026, claiming that the government has not made any changes to the reservation system in connection with the “Remove Reservation Movement” and appealed to citizens not to believe rumours. The viral letter bears the date July 27, 2026, and displays signatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Hindi and English. The archived link and screenshot of the post are provided below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1b9nD5k3As/
Factcheck
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. However, no credible media reports related to the alleged letter were found. During the next stage of the research, we scanned the official X account (formerly Twitter) of PMO India. We did not find any such letter posted on July 27 or around that date. Continuing the research, we checked the official website of PMO India. No such letter was found in the news updates section or anywhere else on the website that could confirm the viral claim.
Further, we reviewed the press releases issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on July 27 available on the official website of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). We found no press release or official communication related to reservation or matching the viral letter.
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/
As part of the research, we scanned the viral letter using the AI detection tool Image Detector. The results indicated that the document was 93 percent likely to be AI-generated.
We also analysed the viral letter using another AI detection tool, My Detector. The results showed a 98 percent probability that the letter was created using AI.
Conclusion:
Our research found no official evidence confirming that the Prime Minister’s Office issued the viral letter. The purported PMO letter regarding reservation was found to be fake and AI-generated.
Executive Summary
A video showing a house collapsing after a massive explosion is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it shows the Indian Armed Forces bombing the house of a minority community in Manipur. CyberPeace Research Wing ’s research found that the claim is false. The viral video dates back to 2023 and shows a house being demolished in Churachandpur during the ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur.
Claim:
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the video with the caption: “This is Manipur, not Palestine. The Indian Army is destroying minority houses in Manipur.”
The post claimed that the visuals showed the Indian Army carrying out an attack on minority community houses in Manipur.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1042491035382024
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, CyberPeace Research Wing conducted a reverse image search using keyframes extracted from the viral video. During the search, we found the same video shared by NDTV’s official Instagram account on July 21, 2024.
According to the caption of the post, the video was from 2023, when ethnic clashes broke out between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. The post stated that the incident took place in Churachandpur, where the house of Naorem Ibomcha Meitei was destroyed by the Kuki community during the violence.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/C9sQWeTSCFx/
Further research revealed that India Today had also shared the same video with similar details
https://www.instagram.com/reels/C9sRq1nSy51/
Conclusion:
The research found that the viral video is being circulated with a misleading claim. The footage does not show the Indian Armed Forces bombing a minority community’s house in Manipur. It is from 2023 and shows the demolition of a house in Churachandpur during the ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
Executive Summary
A video has gone viral on social media claiming to show a fighter pilot climbing out of his aircraft mid-flight to repair its engine before crawling back into the cockpit and resuming the mission. The footage shows the pilot closing a compartment on the aircraft's fuselage, making his way back to the cockpit, and the canopy shutting as the aircraft continues flying. According to a study by the CyberPeace Research Wing , the viral video is not authentic but AI-generated.
Claim
On August 1, an X user named "Sarah for Trump" shared the clip, claiming it showed an Iranian fighter pilot repairing his aircraft in mid-air. The post alleged that the video had been released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards to intimidate the United States and Israel. Text overlaid on the video read: "A brave maneuver by an Iranian pilot that no pilot in the world has ever performed." (At the time of publishing this story, the video had garnered 2.6 million views)
At the time this story was published, the video had received more than 2.6 million views.
https://x.com/SarahAllisonFl/status/2083589225912402201
https://archive.ph/fkW32
FactCheck
To verify the claim, we first analysed the viral video using the InVid verification tool and extracted several keyframes. A reverse image search of these frames through Google Lens led us to multiple social media posts carrying the same video with similar claims. The search also led us to an Instagram account named "viralism.ai", where the identical video had been uploaded on June 14. A comparison confirmed that the visuals matched the viral clip exactly, indicating that the Instagram upload was the original source from which the video was later circulated with a false narrative.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZkIrEijc89/
A review of the Instagram account further revealed that it primarily publishes AI-generated content. The account's description clearly states "AI Viral Videos and Trends," indicating that the video was created using artificial intelligence rather than depicting a real event. To further confirm our findings, we analysed the clip using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The results showed a high probability that the video was AI-generated, with several portions of the footage being flagged as synthetic
Conclusion
The research found that the viral video does not depict a real-life incident. The footage showing a fighter pilot allegedly repairing an aircraft engine during flight was generated using artificial intelligence and later circulated online as genuine. The accompanying claim that the video was released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards to threaten the United States and Israel is also false.
