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Footage of tractors towing away large weaponry has repeatedly circulated on social media since Russia invaded Ukraine. Tractors have emerged as an unlikely symbol of Ukraine’s resilience.
Certainly, farmers are among those hardest hit by Russia’s attack. Ukraine’s leaders have called on the agricultural sector to maintain food supply as crops and fields are threatened by bombings and missiles. So while these posts may have the effect of raising pro-Ukrainian morale, some of the images they share may deserve a more skeptical look as they haven’t been verified.
"Ukrainian farmers are slowly starting to build their own army," read a March 16 caption alongside a collage of five images showing Russian tanks, jets, and warships hitched onto tractors.
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Facebook post, March 16, 2022
Vice, The Tractor Has Become a Symbol of Ukrainian Resistance, March 16, 2022
Reuters, Ukraine’s farmers stalled, fueling fears of global food shortages, March 11, 2022
CBC, Famous for towing captured Russian tanks, Ukrainian farmers step up for war effort, March 18, 2022
Reverse image searches on Google and TinEye, March 21, 2022
Tweet, March 10, 2022
Sputnik, Jeřáb, který spadl na Admirala Kuzněcova, prorazil díru velikostí 4x5 metrů, Oct. 20, 2018
Tweet, March 6, 2022
Tweet, March 9, 2022
Daily Mail, Ukrainian farmer appears to tow away a Russian tank, March 8, 2022
Youtube, Tracker vs Tank compilation, March 12, 2022
Getty Images, Expedition 57 Soyuz Rollout, Oct. 9, 2018
Getty Images, A file picture taken in Brest Harbor, Sept. 21, 2004
24.sata.hr, Stigao im MIG umjesto noćnog tramvaja: Avion vukao traktor, May 26, 2011
PolitiFact, Viral image of helicopter lifting tractor does not show NATO ‘resupplying Ukrainian farmers’, March 18, 2022
Snopes, Is This Tractor Towing a Russian Jet Captured in Ukraine, March 16, 2022
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.