The video of a New York subway affected by major water leaks is compared online to that of a resplendent Moscow subway. These sequences illustrate, according to pro-Russian accounts, a decrepitude of the West and the grandeur of Russia. These are widely relayed propaganda elements, relying on a series of biases and misleading shortcuts.
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“When Western media tell you that Russia is collapsing, they are 100% speculating.” This is whatassure the American influencer Jackson Hinkle, some 2.4 million subscribers on X and who in recent months has become a major figure in online disinformation. In one of his recent messages, he unearths two videos taken in the metro. The first would be filmed in New York and shows us major water leaks in a dilapidated station. The second sequence, for its part, would be filmed in the underground of Moscow: there we see a sumptuous station, tastefully decorated and built with precious materials. A publication which is part of vast pro-Russian propaganda operations carried out online since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
Besides the fact that the Russian station is not located in Moscow (but in St. Petersburg), it is not an indicator of the good economic health of a country. – Screenshots
An unusual resort… In Saint Petersburg
Online research confirms that the first video was indeed filmed in New York. The media have it relayed at the end of September 2023, when the megacity was hit by violent flash rains and floods. The water leaks filmed by a passerby are therefore not usual, having occurred during a particularly intense weather episode.
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When we look at the sequence supposedly filmed in Moscow, we quickly notice a problem: the station filmed is not in the Russian capital, but in Saint Petersburg. This is Avtovo (А́втово) station, on the line that crosses the city. Inaugurated in 1955, it is famous for its white marbles and is generally presented as one of the most beautiful in the world.
This St. Petersburg resort is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. – Alex ‘Florstein’ Fedorov, CC BY-SA 4.0
It should be noted, however, that although Saint Petersburg has such a sumptuous station, not all of them are so richly decorated. Quick research allows us to discover buildings with much more summary decoration, not displaying such luxurious materials. The photo above illustrates these differences: it shows Gostiny Dvor station, on the city’s line 3.
This St. Petersburg station is not as richly decorated as Avtovo. – Poudou99, CC BY-SA 4.0
The observation is similar for Moscow stations. Some are presented rightly online as marvels of architecture and ornament, when others appear banal to say the leastsimilar to those that can be found in many metropolises around the world.
Apart from the fact that the power of a state or its good economic health cannot be measured by the splendor of its metro stations, it is necessary to emphasize that from one line or stop to another, infrastructure can change very widely. In Paris alone, certain stations are distinguished by singular architectural choices, like the “Arts et Métiers” station, on lines 3 and 11. Its copper-bodied platform contrasts with those we usually encounter , and could not be considered representative of the entire Parisian network.
The platform of line 11, Arts et Métiers station, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Paris. – Jerem9211, CC BY-SA 4.0
An influencer who became an actor in Russian propaganda
It is not surprising to see the American Jackson Hinkle relaying content glorifying Russia and depicting a collapse of the West via his social networks. He is in fact a loyal supporter of Putin, who grants regular interviews to the RT channel.
20 Minuteswho dedicated to him a portrait, also reports that the young man (he was born in 1999) is engaged to a former Miss Russia, Anna Linnikova. He would have spent his last birthday in Moscow. Regularly accused of spreading fake news on his social networks, he draws income of his viral publications. A profitable business since this former YouTuber (he was banned from the platform), saw his audience increase in the space of a few months. Very active, he multiplied messages relating to another conflict: that between Israel and Hamas. He thus uses his account to spread messages hostile to Israel and its supporters, notably pointing the finger at American policy in the Middle East.
Do you want to ask us questions or submit information that you do not believe is reliable? Do not hesitate to write to us at lesverifiers@tf1.fr. Find us also on X: our team is present there behind the account @verif_TF1LCI.
Thomas DESZPOT
2024-02-12 16:59:45
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