# PIB fact check unit debunks MiG-29 crash video as game footage 2026-09-17T10:39:11+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The government's fact check unit on Thursday debunked claims that an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during landing due to pilot error, saying the video being circulated was from a video game called War Thunder. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact check unit said in a post on X that Pakistani propaganda accounts were spreading the fake video. The footage shows a fighter jet crashing while landing and the pilot ejecting to safety. The unit shared a link to the original game video, which carries a disclaimer that all footage is gameplay recorded for entertainment purposes. Several X accounts, including one named 'True Patriot', had shared the video with captions questioning the IAF's safety record. The fact check unit urged people to report any suspicious content related to the government through its WhatsApp, email, or social media channels. The clarification is part of a pattern of propagandist accounts circulating unrelated military accidents or game footage as evidence of recent events. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both Hindustan Times and Times of India reported the PIB fact check's debunking of the MiG-29 crash video, with no critical framing or editorial commentary. The coverage is straight reporting of the government's statement, attributing the fake claim to Pakistani propaganda accounts and noting the video's origin from a war game. Neither outlet examined the broader pattern of misinformation or questioned the frequency of IAF crashes mentioned by the original social media post. The consistent neutral-report stance across sources suggests the story was handled as a straightforward fact-check bulletin, with no divergent angles to compare. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Reports PIB fact check verbatim, includes example of social media account questioning IAF safety record but offers no independent analysis. - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straightforward wire-style report of PIB fact check, notes recurring pattern of propaganda but does not editorialise. Tags: Indian Air Force, MiG-29, PIB, War Thunder Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pib-fact-check-unit-debunks-mig-29-crash-video-as-game-footage/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pib-fact-check-unit-debunks-mig-29-crash-video-as-game-footage/#story-in-brief