BBC issues warning after fake news clips claiming NATO and Russia at war spread through Africa and Asia

The clips include fake news claims that Russia dropped a nuclear bomb and the Royal Family were evacuated from Buckingham Palace
The clip features a fake BBC News reporter
YouTube
Martin Coulter19 April 2018

The BBC has issued a warning after fake news clips suggesting allied NATO forces were at war with Russia spread throughout Africa and Asia.

A number of false video reports, featuring a fake BBC News studio and doctored footage of British politicians, were shared throughout both continents via Whatsapp.

Some of the clips' most alarming claims include: "Russia has used tactical nuclear weapons", "UK Government takes control of British Airways under Emergency Powers", and "Royal Family evacuated from Buckingham Palace".

The original YouTube video titled 'Breaking news war between Russia and NATO has started WW3' is over 100 minutes long and was uploaded in January 2017.

The Royal Family have not been evacuated from Buckingham Palace
YouTube

Now clips from the original video are thought to have been shared thousands of times, with many contacting BBC World Service branches to check their authenticity.

A BBC spokeswoman told the Standard: "Over the last couple of days we have had people contacting various BBC bureaux, mainly in Africa and Asia, to check if this was a real BBC report.

"The video clip claiming to be a BBC news report about NATO and Russia has been circulating widely, particularly on WhatsApp - although we know it is being shared on other social media too.

"We'd like to make absolutely clear that it's a fake and does not come from the BBC."

The clip claimed the government had 'taken control of British Airways'
YouTube

The BBC said the video apparently came from YouTube, where there is a disclaimer about its being a fictional dramatisation.

This detail was not being shared, however, with those receiving it around the world.

The recent air strikes in Syria, a joint operation between US, British and French forces, heightened international tensions with Russia.