Russian embassy debunks fake video claiming Putin threatened Pakistan
Photo: File
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan has categorically rejected a viral video circulating on social media which falsely suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Pakistan amid rising tensions with Afghanistan. In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy said the clip being shared online is “completely fake” and has been “misrepresented and manipulated.”
It clarified that the footage was originally taken from President Putin’s media interaction on October 23 after a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society, where he responded to general questions — none of which concerned Pakistan or Afghanistan.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that Russia supports a political and diplomatic resolution of differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the embassy said. It added that Moscow encourages “constructive dialogue, cooperation in combating terrorism, and meaningful engagement on regional security matters” between the two neighbours.
آج کل ایک ویڈیو سوشل میڈیا پر گردش کر رہی ہے جس میں یہ دعویٰ کیا جا رہا ہے کہ روس کے صدر ولادیمیر پوتن نے پاکستان اور افغانستان کے درمیان کشیدگی کے تناظر میں پاکستان کو دھمکی دی ہے۔ دراصل یہ ویڈیو مکمل طور پر جعلی ہے۔
حقیقت یہ ہے کہ یہ کلپ 23 اکتوبر 2025 کو روسی جغرافیائی… pic.twitter.com/2eH1O3t9tpThe fabricated video, widely shared on social media platforms and reposted by several verified accounts, appears to show President Putin warning Pakistan “not to act against Afghanistan” and pledging support to the Afghan Taliban regime.
In the fake clip, the Russian president is shown saying, “Pakistan should refrain from any aggression against Afghanistan,” and allegedly warns that any attack on Afghanistan would provoke retaliation “not just from Kabul.” The video further falsely depicts Putin offering full support to the Afghan Taliban against external threats.
The controversy comes at a time when Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have sharply deteriorated. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, especially the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch militant outfits responsible for cross-border attacks.
Read: TTP's former deputy chief killed in Bajaur IBO
Recent talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul failed to produce a breakthrough. Pakistani officials maintained that any forward movement depends on Kabul presenting a concrete and verifiable plan to dismantle militant infrastructure. “The message from Islamabad was clear — no compromise on terrorism,” a source familiar with the discussions said, noting that Pakistan outlined specific measures to halt cross-border attacks.
Officials privy to the talks said that while members of the Afghan delegation privately acknowledged the need to act against militant groups targeting Pakistan, they did not have formal authorization from Kabul and Kandahar to commit to Pakistan’s proposals.
The embassy’s clarification is seen as an attempt to counter misinformation at a sensitive moment in the regional security environment, where narratives and public messaging play a critical role in shaping perceptions and policy positions.