A video of Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking has gone viral on social media. In the video, Putin is heard saying, “Congratulations to you! Happy Great Victory Day! Hurrah! Musical intro. Music.” (Translated from Russian.) Further, we see military troops standing and shouting Hoorah.
The video is shared with users, claiming it shows him announcing that Russia is now ready to go to war if Europe chooses.
The video is being shared in the context of a real statement Putin made on October 29 at a press conference following the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. Responding to questions about European countries preparing for a potential conflict by 2030, Putin said, “We are ready, but we do not want any war with Europe. If some of them want to prepare for war, let them do it.”
He also warned that a military confrontation between Russia and Europe would have no winners: “If it comes to a war between Russia and Europe, there will be no winners.”
A social media user shared the video with a caption, “Urgent: President Putin of Russia: ‘Ready now’ if Europe chooses war, and added: No one will win. World War III has begun.”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video is from 2021 and shows Putin delivering a speech during the annual Victory Day military parade in Moscow.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was shared by a YouTube channel on May 9, 2021, with a caption that reads, “Vladimir Putin - Victory parade (Red Square 2021)”. In the video at around 10:38 timestamp we can see him delivering the same speech as said in the viral video.
Since the video predates Putin’s recent statement, we know that the date of the viral video precedes his recent statement.
Further, we found that a screenshot of the video was also shared by a website, Global Times, on May 9, 2021.
The screenshot was shared with a caption that reads, “Servicemen stand at attention during the Victory Day parade marking the 76th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in WWII, in Red Square, Moscow, Russia on Sunday. Photo: VCG”.
What is Victory Day?
We also found that Russia observes Victory Day every May 9, one of the nation’s most significant public holidays. The date is marked with military parades, formal ceremonies, and wreath-laying at memorials to those who served in World War II.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral claim is false.
