On October 19, 2025, Ukraine intensified its military operations against Russia by launching a drone strike on the significant Orenburg gas processing plant located in southern Russia. This facility, operated by Russian energy giant Gazprom, was compelled to halt its operations related to gas refining from Kazakhstan’s substantial oil and gas fields following the attack. The escalation in hostilities comes in the wake of recent Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, which left thousands of Ukrainians without electricity.
Amid the ongoing conflict, an image circulated on social media purporting to show firefighters combating a fire at the Orenburg facility. The post, which was shared in Thai on Facebook, claimed it was taken at the time of the strike. However, investigations have revealed that the image has been misattributed; it was actually captured over a year ago in the Kursk region of Russia.
Fact-Checking the Misattributed Image
The misleading image was linked to a post that gathered significant attention, accumulating over 4,600 followers. It reported, “Fire at Russia’s gas processing plant following Ukraine’s drone attack on October 19, 2025,” but thorough analysis shows the visual was sourced from an entirely different event.
A combination of reverse image searches and keyword queries led to a video uploaded on The Telegraph’s YouTube channel on February 15, 2024. The video, titled “Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian oil depot in Kursk,” features the same scene of flames and smoke, confirming the image’s origins. This was further substantiated by a post from Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt, who shared footage of firefighters responding to a blaze caused by a Ukrainian drone attack on the same date.
Contextualizing the Conflict
The attack on the Orenburg gas processing plant represents a notable shift in Ukraine’s strategy, as it seeks to target critical energy infrastructure in Russia. According to Kazakh authorities, this strike disrupted gas refining operations that are vital for the regional economy. In retaliation, Russia has ramped up its missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, leading to widespread power outages and civilian casualties.
As misinformation spreads rapidly on social media, the importance of verifying the origins of images and claims becomes increasingly crucial. The false attribution of the Kursk image exemplifies the challenges faced in accurately reporting during wartime, where visuals can be manipulated to serve various narratives.
The ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with both nations engaging in aggressive tactics that impact millions of civilians. As the situation develops, accurate reporting and fact-checking will remain essential for understanding the realities on the ground.
