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Footage of Russian aircraft shot down over Kyiv turns out to be Ukrainian Su-27

The tense situation in Ukraine has given rise to a number of unverified videos and images being shared across social media platforms

Amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, a video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that a Russian aircraft was shot down by Ukrainian air defenses on residential areas of Kyiv. The present situation has given rise to a number of unverified videos and images being shared across social media platforms. Some of them are being shared with false claims, triggering panic.

However, CNN has confirmed that the video, which people assumed was that of a Russian jet being shot down, was actually a Ukrainian SU-27 shot down by Russian anti-air battery in the city's suburbs. A senior CNN correspondent reportedly confirmed that the jet that was shot down was a Ukrainian SU-27. 

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This video is among many others being shared with unverified claims amid the tensions. "A #Russian aircraft shot down by #Ukrainian air defenses falls on residential areas in #Kyiv," a tweet, among many others, initially captioned the video. CNN later confirmed that the claim is not true.

The Ukrainian government has claimed that its forces have retaken Antonov airport on the outskirts of Kyiv that was earlier seized by Russian airborne troops. This comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered compulsory enlistment and banned all men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. Sources in Ukraine's Armed Forces believe that over 60 Russian battalion tactical groups are now deployed in Ukrainian territory. Zelensky also claimed that he was 'target number one' for Russian assassins. He said at least 137 Ukrainians are dead.

Ukraine's National Guard tweeted a photo from Antonov airport of three young soldiers holding up a bullet-ridden Ukrainian flag. They captioned the photo: 'Guardsmen with their flag, torn to pieces after today's battle.'Congratulations to all of you and say that we will win!'

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine in an attempt to 'defend separatists in the east of the country'. "I have made the decision of a military operation to protect the people of the Donbas separatist region," he said in a television statement. He urged Ukrainian soldiers to lay their arms down and head home. Putin announced the military operation on Thursday, February 24, with explosions heard across Ukraine soon after. Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations told the Security Council that Putin had “declared war on Ukraine".

Putin's move came after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Russians not to support a "major war in Europe". He also said that people of Russia were being lied to about Ukraine, adding that when he tried to contact Putin, there was "no answer, only silence". He confirmed on Wednesday, February 23, that Moscow had around 200,000 soldiers near Ukraine's borders.

US officials have said they expect Ukraine's capital to fall by the end of the weekend. General George Joulwan, who commanded NATO during the Yugoslav war, said he expects Kiev to fall within 24-36 hours.