No, these images do not show the Russian fleet entering the Red Sea

By: Christian Haag
April 5 2024

Share Article:

Examples of claims about Russian warships entering the Red Sea shared online. (Source: Facebook, X/Screenshot/Edited by Logically Facts)

On March 28, two Russian naval vessels, the missile cruiser Varyaga and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov entered the Red Sea. According to the Press Service for the Eastern Military District of the Russian Military, the ships were continuing “its planned tasks as part of the long-distance mission.” This Russian state information is the only vague source of information, and the mission's full objective is unknown. The Marshal Shaposhnikov arrived in Massava in Eritrea on March 28 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Varyag crossed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean on April 1 en route to the port of Tartus in Syria.

What has been claimed

Following the arrival of two Russian warships to the Red Sea, many posts on social media have shared footage claiming to show the Russian Fleet entering the Red Sea, giving the impression of a much larger fleet entering the Red Sea. Furthermore, several accounts have hinted at possible escalations and outright battles with American and British ships already present and engaged with the Yemeni Houthis.  

Logically Facts has found three examples of images claiming to show the arrival of Russian ships. They have primarily circulated on X (formerly Twitter), which can be seen here, here, here, and here, as well as Facebook. Falsely attributed images have also been used by websites shared on Facebook, such as Now The End Begins. 

What we found

Firstly, only two ships from the Russian Pacific fleet entered the Red Sea, not the entire fleet, as some posts suggested. In June 2022, the Russian Pacific Fleet held training with more than 40 naval vessels. 

The first image shows four Russian naval vessels sailing in line, claiming to be arriving in the Red Sea. However, using Google's fact check explorer, we found that the image was taken in 2016 during a joint training exercise between Russia and China in the South China Sea. The image, attributed to Reuters, was published online for the first time on September 20, 2016, in an article from Russia Today describing the joint exercise. Translated to English using Google Translate, the caption states: “On the last day of the maneuvers, Russian and Chinese ships conducted joint firing at sea and air targets with depth charges and artillery."

Comparison of the viral image and the original image from 2016. Notice the waves in the image in the color-coded boxes. (Source: Twitter, RT/Screenshot/Edited by Logically Facts)

The viral image has been cropped to remove a ship, but identical markers can be found when comparing the two images. The waves form the same shape, such as the cross seen in the red box. 

The second image claiming to show Russian warships entering the Red Sea is from a military parade in St Petersburg in 2018. Using Google's fact check explorer, we found the first instance of the picture online to be in an article from Russia Today published July 24, 2018. Translated to English, the image is described as “Ships of the Russian Navy in Kronstadt at the first summary rehearsal of the parade.” The article reported on the rehearsals for the Navy Day parade in Russia on July 28.

Comparison of the second viral image and the actual image from 2018. Notice the similarities in the color-coded boxes, such as the building, the flags, the waves, and the smoke. (Source: Twitter, RT/Screenshot/Edited by Logically Facts)

Comparing the two images, several identical markers can be seen, such as the building to the left, the flags on the first ship, the waves, and the smoke in the background. 

The third image claims to show the Russian fleet entering the Red Sea but is also from a military parade during Navy Day in St. Petersburg, this one from 2020. Using the same tools, we found that Reuters took the picture during the parade and published it on X and its website. Reuters describes the image as showing “Russian warships sail during the Navy Day parade in Kronstadt near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 26, 2020.”

Comparison of the third viral image and the actual image from 2020. Notice the similarities in the color-coded boxes, such as the flags, the waves, and the helicopters in the background. (Source: Now the end begins, Reuters/Screenshot/Edited by Logically Facts)

When comparing the two images, you can see several identical markers, such as the flags, the waves, and the helicopters in the background.

Verdict

Our research shows that the images are not from the Red Sea. The first image is from a military exercise in the South China Sea in 2016, the second from a naval parade outside St.Petersburg in 2018, and the third from a similar naval parade in 2020. The images are unrelated to the recent events in the Red Sea, and so we have marked this claim as false.