Did pro-Russian supporters fly a Putin hot air balloon in Berlin?

Published on 20/10/2025 - 13:37 GMT+2

German societal media users person been wide sharing a image that they opportunity shows supporters of Russia flying successful a basking aerial balloon emblazoned pinch nan look of President Vladimir Putin successful Berlin.

In nan photo, we tin spot Putin against nan colours of nan Russian flag, pinch nan balloon flying complete nan Brandenburg Gate and nan Fernsehturm, aliases TV Tower.

One of nan users sharing nan image appears to connection themselves pinch nan far-right AfD party, adding captions that opportunity that "political sympathisers" of Putin were responsible for nan balloon, which was flying successful afloat show of nan Reichstag.

The personification besides says that nan constabulary couldn't do thing astir it because of nan passengers successful nan basket, and that passersby applauded and showed their support of it.

Many look to person been taken successful by nan claims, pinch hundreds of shares and thousands of likes for this 1 station alone.

However, nan image is clone and has been digitally manipulated, and location are respective clues showing america why.

Looking closely, nan balloon and handbasket look much akin to illustrations alternatively than thing you'd spot successful a photo, and their dimensions successful comparison to their surroundings besides look off.

Additionally, we tin comparison nan image pinch Google Maps thoroughfare position imagery of nan Brandenburg Gate.

When put broadside by side, we tin spot that not only is nan TV Tower unusually gangly successful nan fake, but it's besides successful nan wholly incorrect location compared to existent life.

There are nary trees around, arsenic nan existent photograph shows, and nan central, pedestrianised area is nonexistent successful nan clone picture.

Finally, location person been nary charismatic sightings aliases media reports of nan expected formation — a balloon of specified magnitude and showing support for specified a arguable fig would surely person garnered acold much attention.