Spf's Ukraine Airport Attack: A Devastating Blow?

A viral video that circulated on social media in February 2022 showed a large explosion behind a building, with text overlaying the footage claiming that they just blew up the Ukraine international airport. However, this claim is false, as fact-checking organisations have reported that the video actually depicts an explosion at the Melitopol Air Base, a military site in southeast Ukraine.

Was the Melitopol Air Base explosion in Ukraine caused by an international passenger aircraft?

A viral video shared on Facebook in February 2022 shows a large explosion behind a building with text claiming that "they just blew up the Ukraine international airport". However, fact-checking organisations have reported that the video actually shows an explosion at the Melitopol Air Base, a military base in southeast Ukraine, and not an international airport serving civilians. CNN also verified that the footage showed an explosion at the Melitopol Air Base.

While it is unclear what "the Ukraine international airport" refers to, Ukraine has multiple airports that service international flights. The country's biggest airport, Kyiv's Boryspil airport, was reportedly struck by Russian attacks, although it appeared relatively unscathed in satellite imagery. Other international airports in Ukraine that have been hit by Russian airstrikes include the Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport in western Ukraine.

Therefore, while the Melitopol Air Base in Ukraine was indeed blown up, there is no evidence to suggest that it was caused by an international passenger aircraft. Instead, the explosion was likely caused by military action during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

What was the impact of the Melitopol blast on civilian flights?

On February 24, 2022, a video surfaced on social media showing a large explosion in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol. The video was shared on Facebook with the claim that "they just blew up the Ukraine international airport". However, this claim is false, as fact-checking organizations have reported that the video depicts an explosion at the Melitopol Air Base, a military base located in southeast Ukraine, and not at an international civilian airport.

While the direct impact on civilian flights cannot be determined, it is important to note that the Melitopol Air Base is believed to be a military base rather than an international airport serving civilians. There is no airport named "Ukraine International Airport," and it is unclear which specific airport the viral video is referring to. However, it is worth noting that several international airports in Ukraine, including Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport and the Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport in western Ukraine, have been affected by Russian airstrikes and missile attacks.

The blast at the Melitopol Air Base occurred on the same day that Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and it is reported that Russian troops captured the city of Melitopol soon after. This incident is one of many attacks on Ukrainian military bases and infrastructure during the Russian invasion.

In summary, while the direct impact on civilian flights cannot be determined, the blast at the Melitopol Air Base occurred in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which included attacks on multiple international airports and disruptions to civilian air travel in the region.

What is the evidence that the video of the Ukraine airport explosion is false?

Several independent fact-checking organisations have found evidence that a video claiming to show an explosion at Ukraine's international airport is false. The video in question, which was shared on Facebook on 24 February 2022, features a large explosion behind a building with text overlaying the footage stating: "They just blew up the Ukraine international airport".

However, the video actually shows an explosion at an air base in Melitopol, Ukraine, which is a military base located over 300 miles from Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. CNN verified that the footage showed an explosion at Melitopol Air Base on 24 February 2022, and there is no evidence of civilian flights ever operating from this location. While Ukraine does have multiple airports from which international flights depart, there is no airport named "Ukraine International Airport".

Although it is true that several international airports in Ukraine have been hit by Russian airstrikes, the viral video in question does not show an explosion at Ukraine's international airport and has been rated as "missing context" by independent fact-checking organisations.

How did the Russian Defence Ministry respond to the Melitopol explosion?

On 26 February 2022, the Russian Defence Ministry announced that Russian troops had taken the city of Melitopol. This was contradicted by the BBC, which reported that, as of 28 February, western officials suggested Melitopol was still in Ukrainian hands.

On 27 March 2023, Russian-appointed official Vladimir Rogov said that the air defence system had worked and that information about casualties and damage was being clarified. Rogov also posted a video of emergency services working at the site of a strike. He said:

> The militants of the Ukrainian armed forces are trying to fight the civilians in powerless rage, terrifying them by shelling them with heavy weapons.

The local Russian-appointed administration said a building in central Melitopol had been partially destroyed, and that, according to preliminary information, four people were injured and several buildings were damaged.

What other airports in Ukraine have been hit by Russian airstrikes?

Several international airports in Ukraine have been hit by Russian airstrikes. The Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport in western Ukraine was hit by a missile on 24 February 2022, according to the BBC. Kyiv’s Boryspil International Airport, the country's biggest airport, was also struck by Russian attacks and evacuated on the same day, as reported by Politico. Satellite imagery, however, suggests that the airport remained relatively unscathed.

In addition, Ukraine's air force stated that Russia launched a record 188 drones in a single attack on 5 December 2022, causing damage to critical infrastructure. This attack also included four Iskander missiles, with 76 drones and missiles shot down and 95 unaccounted for. The strike resulted in a power outage that affected 70% of the western Ternopil region.

On 10 November 2024, Ukraine carried out its biggest drone strike on Moscow since the start of the war, with at least 34 drones reaching the Russian capital and forcing the diversion of flights from three major airports: Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky. This strike injured at least five people in the Moscow region.

Frequently asked questions