Old NATO Anniversary Video Falsely Recast Online as 'War Propaganda'

A video originally published by NATO has gone viral online after being falsely framed as "war propaganda" aimed at preparing the public for an imminent conflict with Russia, according to a fact-check by France 24's Truth or Fake team, presented by Vedika Bahl.

Social media users sharing the clip have accused the Alliance of releasing a "promotional video" designed to condition public opinion for war. However, the footage is not new: NATO originally published it in July 2024 to mark the organisation's 75th anniversary, according to the fact-check.

Stripped of its original context

The video's recent viral spread has stripped it of that original anniversary context, allowing it to be reinterpreted and presented as evidence of imminent military preparation, rather than what the fact-check identifies as a commemorative piece marking a historical milestone for the alliance.

This misrepresentation is circulating at a time when European leaders have been warning of growing Russian hybrid threats, including alleged drone incursions, cyberattacks and sabotage activity across the continent. Such warnings have heightened public sensitivity to any content suggesting military escalation, which the fact-check suggests may have contributed to the video's viral, misleading reframing.

France 24's Truth or Fake segment aims to trace the video back to its original 2024 publication and clarify the context in which it was first released, countering the false narrative that has taken hold as the clip circulated online in recent days.