Full Breakdown
Indian Fact-Check Unit Refutes Viral MiG-29 Crash Video as Game Footage
By Drooid · · How we work
Misleading Claim and Its Debunking
Social media posts circulated a video purported to show an Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-29 fighter jet crashing during landing because of pilot error. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check unit identified the clip as gameplay from the combat simulation “War Thunder” and labeled the claim “#Fake.” The unit warned that the material was being spread by accounts it described as “Pakistani propaganda.”
Background of Online Military Misinformation
The PIB noted that this incident follows a recurring pattern in which unrelated military accidents, archival images, or video-game recordings are repurposed to suggest recent Indian military mishaps. Earlier instances have involved old crash photographs being linked to new events, creating a false narrative of frequent aircraft losses.
Official Statements & Responses
The PIB’s X post stated: “Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video with the claim that an IAF MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during landing due to pilot error.” It added a disclaimer that the footage originates from “War Thunder,” a game featuring aircraft, land and naval vehicles. The agency also urged the public to report suspicious content to @PIBFactCheck via WhatsApp +91 8799711259 or email factcheck@pib.gov.in.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a video with the claim that an IAF MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during landing due to pilot error,” — PIB Fact Check
Data & Statistics – Related Real Incident
Separate images shared online were linked to an actual IAF MiG-29 accident in Barmer, Rajasthan, on September 2, 2024. In that event, a technical malfunction forced the pilot to eject safely; no fatalities were reported. The recent viral video, however, does not depict this real incident.