Fact check: False 'mass exodus' claims spread as Russia bombards Kyiv

As Russia's aerial bombardment continues against Kyiv, false claims are spreading online that citizens are fleeing the city in large numbers. The city has been under daily attack for over a week, disrupting daily life for its residents. However, the disinformation accompanying these strikes often features out-of-context photos and videos, misleading viewers.

For instance, a post on September 1 that claimed a "mass exodus of civilians leaving Kyiv" actually showed a rush-hour scene at a metro station, not a city exit. Similarly, a photo from August 29 depicting a massive traffic jam to leave Kyiv showed the Wuzhuang Toll Station in China, not a Ukrainian toll booth. Another post from the same period purported to show people fleeing Kyiv in large numbers, but the photo was actually taken several years ago, showing Ukrainians moving to the Polish border in 2022.

These posts often lack context or evidence, and when traced back, they reveal they originate from local Kyiv channels or foreign social media accounts. While the disinformation may target Ukrainian-language platforms, it has gained less traction there, though not completely absent. LetsData, a data analysis company, found few instances of these claims gaining traction among Ukrainian and Russian social media users.

However, some narratives still persist, often exaggerating the situation to incite panic and encourage residents to leave. Despite these attacks, residents of Kyiv and other regions exposed to Russian strikes have often sought refuge in safer western regions. The last time Kyiv was reported to be experiencing a mass exodus was during a Russian attack on the city's energy grid last winter, leading to widespread blackouts and freezing temperatures.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko had previously claimed that 600,000 people had left the city, but the Kyiv City Military administration later could not confirm these figures.