2M people have seen this picture on #Telegram (without blur): "π·πΊ Russian soldier was chained [...] tortured and [...] set on fire while still alive."
What do we see? Investigate! π 1/...
#OSINTπ
#Verification πΈ
#GeoLocation π
#HowToOSINT π§
What do we see? Investigate! π 1/...
#OSINTπ
#Verification πΈ
#GeoLocation π
#HowToOSINT π§
Social media users use the photo (bottom left) to make comparisons between Ukraine and the terrorist group Islamic State (IS or ISIS). 2/...
The photo of the scorched body started circulating on 9 April at 21:20 via Danil Bezsonov's official Telegram channel.
He is the head of the press service of the 'people's republic' of #Donetsk, a separatist, Russian-backed region in eastern Ukraine. 3/...
He is the head of the press service of the 'people's republic' of #Donetsk, a separatist, Russian-backed region in eastern Ukraine. 3/...
If the person in the photograph was burned alive, then according to the Geneva Conventions, such torture may be a war crime (Article 50).
If it is the burning of a corpse, then it may be a violation of the law of war (Article 17), but not a war crime. 4/...
If it is the burning of a corpse, then it may be a violation of the law of war (Article 17), but not a war crime. 4/...
Is this a real picture?
On Twitter, we find a photo of the same body from a different angle (left).
Also in a video on Twitter, filmed from a car, we see the same body at the end (0:20) (right). 5/...
On Twitter, we find a photo of the same body from a different angle (left).
Also in a video on Twitter, filmed from a car, we see the same body at the end (0:20) (right). 5/...
So, yes, this is a real picture.
The Ukrainian caption to the photo is 'Meet the Russian soldier "Valera" (as locals call him), he opened the beach season in Ukraine near Kharkiv'.
In the video we hear people laughing.
Some Ukrainians make fun of this horrible image. 6/...
The Ukrainian caption to the photo is 'Meet the Russian soldier "Valera" (as locals call him), he opened the beach season in Ukraine near Kharkiv'.
In the video we hear people laughing.
Some Ukrainians make fun of this horrible image. 6/...
If we compare the shadows, it appears that all three images were captured at different times.
The sun was once in the south (L, photo taken at noon), once in the southeast (M, photo taken in the morning) and once in the southwest (R, photo taken in the afternoon). 7/...
The sun was once in the south (L, photo taken at noon), once in the southeast (M, photo taken in the morning) and once in the southwest (R, photo taken in the afternoon). 7/...
Since there are images from three different sources that were not taken at the same time, we can say that the body was there for a long time and that it was noticed by different people. 8/...
(#OSINT behind the scenes: to make an analysis of shadows π on pictures you can use suncalc.org or 'image overlay' in Google Earth Pro. Both tools are free.) 9/...
The image was geolocated by @doppelot from @GeoConfirmed: it's indeed near #Kharkiv. π
When we compare visual elements in the background of the photo (top) with images from Google Streetview (bottom), the trunk of a tree π©, a building π¨ and a traffic light π₯ match. 10/...
When we compare visual elements in the background of the photo (top) with images from Google Streetview (bottom), the trunk of a tree π©, a building π¨ and a traffic light π₯ match. 10/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed When? β²οΈ
The oldest photo of the corpse that we could find dates from 9 April. The photo therefore dates from 9 April or earlier.
On 10 March the British public broadcaster @BBCNews posted a video report on the war in Kharkiv: bbc.com/news/av/world-β¦ 11/...
The oldest photo of the corpse that we could find dates from 9 April. The photo therefore dates from 9 April or earlier.
On 10 March the British public broadcaster @BBCNews posted a video report on the war in Kharkiv: bbc.com/news/av/world-β¦ 11/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews A still from the report (2:33) looks similar.
We compare the Twittervideo (top) with satellite images (middle) and the BBC report (bottom).
Petrol stations (π¨ & π₯), anti-tank obstacles (π©) and the spot where the body is located (π¦) match. 12/...
We compare the Twittervideo (top) with satellite images (middle) and the BBC report (bottom).
Petrol stations (π¨ & π₯), anti-tank obstacles (π©) and the spot where the body is located (π¦) match. 12/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews However, we see that in the BBC report the corpse is not visible (4).
The corpse was therefore not there when the BBC filmed in the week of 10 March.
So the photo definitely dates from before 9 April and after the beginning of March. β²οΈβ 13/...
The corpse was therefore not there when the BBC filmed in the week of 10 March.
So the photo definitely dates from before 9 April and after the beginning of March. β²οΈβ 13/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews Other conclusion from this analysis π: this gruesome image was NOT kept out of sight by the BBC reporter.
The journalist was on the spot, but at that time there was no corpse on the anti-tank object. 14/...
The journalist was on the spot, but at that time there was no corpse on the anti-tank object. 14/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews Context?
Corpses are visible nearby. The BBC reporter says that the site is 'full of dead Russians'.
Two corpses at the petrol station are shown and he says that further on there are four corpses. 'These are Chechens, they have identity cards with them.' 15/...
Corpses are visible nearby. The BBC reporter says that the site is 'full of dead Russians'.
Two corpses at the petrol station are shown and he says that further on there are four corpses. 'These are Chechens, they have identity cards with them.' 15/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews On 21 March @SkyNews published a report showing five Russian corpses.
The corpses were placed in a Z-formation, a logo used by the Russian armed forces. 16/...
news.sky.com/story/ukrainiaβ¦
The corpses were placed in a Z-formation, a logo used by the Russian armed forces. 16/...
news.sky.com/story/ukrainiaβ¦
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews The location of these images was also determined by @GeoConfirmed : visual elements from Sky's report (above) correspond to Google Streetview (below).
This is how we know that these corpses are just over a kilometre from the photo under investigation. 17/...
This is how we know that these corpses are just over a kilometre from the photo under investigation. 17/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews I found other footage of these bodies in Z-formation. π
The body on the anti-tank obstacle is partially undressed and quite unrecognisable.
We compare the image with the corpses seen at the BBC, Sky and other sources, but no corpse matches. 18/...
The body on the anti-tank obstacle is partially undressed and quite unrecognisable.
We compare the image with the corpses seen at the BBC, Sky and other sources, but no corpse matches. 18/...
https://twitter.com/brechtcastel/status/1521498990486953995
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews Both BBC and Sky were accompanied by the Ukrainian army: this piece of land was in πΊπ¦ hands when filming took place.
Moreover, there were about ten corpses of Russian soldiers.
It is therefore plausible that the photograph shows a dead Russian taken by Ukrainian troops. 19/..
Moreover, there were about ten corpses of Russian soldiers.
It is therefore plausible that the photograph shows a dead Russian taken by Ukrainian troops. 19/..
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews In a video the Ukrainian army states that they 'put Russian orcs in mass graves and cover them with earth so as not to scare off any local inhabitants'.
The investigated images from Kharkiv make it clear that this is not always the case. β 20/...
The investigated images from Kharkiv make it clear that this is not always the case. β 20/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews Was the body burned alive or only mutilated after death?
We show the images to forensic experts: "On the basis of the photos and the video alone, we cannot make any conclusive statements. For that, a real autopsy is needed." 21/...
We show the images to forensic experts: "On the basis of the photos and the video alone, we cannot make any conclusive statements. For that, a real autopsy is needed." 21/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews Certain elements in the photo raise questions.
Very little ash can be seen under or beside the body: "Since parts of the clothing have been burnt away, we should normally see charred remains underneath and next to the body. That is not the case." β‘οΈ (1/2) 22/...
Very little ash can be seen under or beside the body: "Since parts of the clothing have been burnt away, we should normally see charred remains underneath and next to the body. That is not the case." β‘οΈ (1/2) 22/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews "That element suggests that the person was not burnt at the site of the anti-tank obstacle, but was placed there afterwards." 23/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews The body posture raises other questions.
"A person who would have been burned alive would not be in such a peaceful position. If you were set on fire alive, you would protest and you would also notice this in your posture." β‘οΈ (1/2) 24/...
"A person who would have been burned alive would not be in such a peaceful position. If you were set on fire alive, you would protest and you would also notice this in your posture." β‘οΈ (1/2) 24/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews "Here, the body looks remarkably peaceful. Perhaps this person was already unconscious when he was burned, but that is all speculation." (2/2) 25...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews "What we see is similar to scorching, a short-lived effect of intense heat. A body in contact with a fire for more than ten minutes would assume the so-called boxer's position, with the arms and legs folded inwards. This is not the case here." 26/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews Could the body be one of the corpses we see on Sky or BBC images?
"The person has not been dead for a long time: The abdomen would be bloated, as would the face. There would be greening and rotting fluid would be visible."
So, no, probably not. 27/...
"The person has not been dead for a long time: The abdomen would be bloated, as would the face. There would be greening and rotting fluid would be visible."
So, no, probably not. 27/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews CONCLUSION: That we see the body of a Russian soldier is plausible because of the context of the image.
Whether the man was tortured, however, cannot be determined from online research, experts say. For the statement that the man was 'burned alive', we found no evidence. 28/...
Whether the man was tortured, however, cannot be determined from online research, experts say. For the statement that the man was 'burned alive', we found no evidence. 28/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews What have we learned? π©βπ«
1) #OSINT can only get you this far. It's no autopsy. ποΈ
2) Analysing shadows and putting footage on a map gives a better understanding. ππΊοΈ
3) Horrible pictures will keep coming from Ukraine Sharing them is easy. Finding the truth is harder.π« 29/...
1) #OSINT can only get you this far. It's no autopsy. ποΈ
2) Analysing shadows and putting footage on a map gives a better understanding. ππΊοΈ
3) Horrible pictures will keep coming from Ukraine Sharing them is easy. Finding the truth is harder.π« 29/...
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews πHuge thanks to colleague @Lotte_Lambrecht and @GeoConfirmed (follow them for good #OSINT on the war in Ukraine).
You can read my full article with all sources used here (@Knack) for FREE. π30/...
knack.be/factcheck/factβ¦
You can read my full article with all sources used here (@Knack) for FREE. π30/...
knack.be/factcheck/factβ¦
@doppelot @GeoConfirmed @BBCNews @SkyNews @Lotte_Lambrecht @Knack Did you learn something from this #OSINT for #FactChecking?
Follow me (@brechtcastel) and check out my channel on #YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCMBPtβ¦ π
Older π§΅π§΅underneath this tweet:
Follow me (@brechtcastel) and check out my channel on #YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCMBPtβ¦ π
Older π§΅π§΅underneath this tweet:
https://twitter.com/brechtcastel/status/139068840541619814531/END
EXTRA #OSINT behind the scenes.
To get a good understanding of multiple footage from different angles making a quick sketch π in Google Maps πΊοΈ is really helpful!
This is how I could create tweet 12 from this π§΅. π 32/33
To get a good understanding of multiple footage from different angles making a quick sketch π in Google Maps πΊοΈ is really helpful!
This is how I could create tweet 12 from this π§΅. π 32/33
EXTRA #OSINT behind the scenes. π
@doppelot explains how he managed to geolocate the picture. π§΅π
He also gives a timeline of our investigation and shows some crucial breakthroughs! 33/33
@doppelot explains how he managed to geolocate the picture. π§΅π
He also gives a timeline of our investigation and shows some crucial breakthroughs! 33/33
https://twitter.com/doppelot/status/1521943473930317828
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