GoPro and drone footage that is spreading like wildfire across Twitter, Instagram, Telegram and Reddit claims that it shows Ukrainian troops engaging with and destroying Russian positions in close quarters battle during an attack against an entrenched position. The video does not actually contain scenes of combat however.

This video was originally released as training footage by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The intent of the footage was to show Ukrainian Soldiers training for front-line combat operations in Ukraine. You're seeing a drone view on top of the GoPro because the Ukrainians recorded the training from both perspectives in order to do proper after action reports so that they could improve on their own tactics, techniques, and procedures.

When I first saw this video, I ignored it because it's not combat footage. Now, I'm posting the video to our webpage because I know everyone here is going to be emailing me within the next four hours with "Look at this insane video from Bakhmut," in the subject line.

This video is wrongfully being posted all over the internet today as combat footage. It is not. There are no Russian troops, and the Ukrainians are simply training. Any "combat footage" sources you see publishing this footage are either being dishonest and they know that its training and they want clicks, or they're ill-informed as incompetence doesn't imply malice.

Have a good day.

About the Author

Josh Brooks

Josh is an American writer and former USMC machine gunner with eight years of experience in ground combat arms throughout the GWOT. He is currently based in Texas and specializes in combat footage analysis and digital marketing.Follow Josh at OfficialJoshBrooks.com