#FactCheck-Claim That Putin Ignored PM Modi in Favour of Pakistan PM Is Misleading
Research Wing
Innovation and Research
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 2, 2026
10
Executive Summary
A Pakistani propaganda account on social media has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stood alongside the Pakistani Prime Minister. Research by CyberPeace’s research wing found that PM Modi and President Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged warm greetings and discussed several issues, including the India-Russia strategic partnership.
Claim:
A social media post claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stood alongside the Pakistani Prime Minister.
To verify the truth behind the viral claim, we searched Google using relevant keywords related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Kyrgyzstan. During the search, we found a video posted on ANI’s X handle on September 1, 2026. According to the video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
In the next step of our research, we scanned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s X account, where we found a post dated August 31, 2026. In the post, PM Modi wrote, “Had extensive discussions with President Putin. Discussed the full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years. Focus areas for the India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages.”
At the end of our research, we found a report published on the Aaj Tak website on September 1, 2026. According to the report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Several leaders of the organisation, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also attended the summit. During the summit, a moment was captured in which PM Modi warmly greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin together, while Shehbaz Sharif was seen quietly walking past them.
Our research established that the claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi and gave preference to the Pakistani Prime Minister is misleading. The viral post presents video footage from different occasions out of context. In reality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin held a bilateral meeting, during which the two leaders discussed several key issues, including the India-Russia strategic partnership.
In recent years, the city of Hyderabad/Cyberabad has emerged as a technology hub, a place with the strong presence of multi corporations, Startups, and research institutions, Hyderabad has become a hub of innovations and technological advancement. However, this growing land of cyber opportunities has also become a hub for cybercriminals as well. In this blog post, we shall explore the reasons why professionals are being targeted and the effects of cyber fraud on techies. Through this investigation, we hope to raise awareness about the seriousness of the problem as well as give vital insights and techniques for Cyberabad’s computer workers to defend themselves against cyber theft. We can work together to make Cyberabad’s technology ecosystem safer and more secure.
Defining Cyber Fraud
In today’s age, where everything has an interconnected digital world, cyber fraud cases are increasing daily. Cyber fraud encompasses a wide range of threats and techniques employed by bad actors, such as Phishing, Ransomware, identity theft, online scams, data breaches, and fake websites designed for users. The sophistication of cyber fraud techniques is constantly evolving, making it challenging for individuals and organisations to stay ahead. Cybercriminals use software vulnerabilities, social engineering tactics, and flaws in cybersecurity defences to carry out their harmful operations. Individuals and organisations must grasp these dangers and tactics to protect themselves against cyber fraud.
Impact of Cyber Frauds
The consequences of Falling victim to cyber fraud can be devastating, both personally and professionally. The emotional and financial toll on individuals may be a challenge. Identity theft may lead to damaged credit scores, fraudulent transactions, and years of recovery work to rehabilitate one’s image. Financial fraud can result in depleted bank accounts, unauthorised charges, and substantial monetary losses. Furthermore, being tricked and violated in the digital environment can generate anxiety, tension, and a lack of confidence.
The impact of cyber fraud goes beyond immediate financial losses and can have long-term consequences for individuals’ and organisations’ entire well-being and stability. As the threat environment evolves, it is critical for people and organisations to recognise the gravity of these repercussions and take proactive actions to protect themselves against cyber theft.
Why are Cyberabad Tech Professionals Targeted?
Tech professionals in Cyberabad are particularly vulnerable to cyber due to various factors. Firstly, their expertise and knowledge in technology make them attractive targets for cybercrooks. These professionals possess valuable coding, Software, and administration skills, making them attractive to cybercriminals.
Secondly, the nature of work often involves enormous use of technology, including regular internet contacts, email exchanges, and access to private information. This expanded digital presence exposes them to possible cyber dangers and makes them more vulnerable to fraudsters’ social engineering efforts. Furthermore, the fast-moving nature of the tech industry, with many deadlines and work pressure to deliver, can create a distraction. This can let them click on some malicious links or share sensitive information unknowingly all these factors let the cyber criminals exploit vulnerabilities.
Unveiling the Statistics
According to various reports, 80% of cyber fraud victims in Hyderabad are techies; the rest are the public targeted by cyber crooks. This surprising number emphasises the critical need to address the vulnerabilities and threats this specific segment within the IT community faces.
Going further into the data, we can acquire insights into the many forms of cyber fraud targeting tech workers, the strategies used by cybercriminals, and the impact these occurrences have on individuals and organisations. Examining precise features and patterns within data might give important information for developing successful preventative and protection methods.
Factors Contributing
Several reasons contribute to the elevated risk of cyber fraud among ICT professionals in Cyberabad. Understanding these aspects helps explain why this group is specifically targeted and may be more vulnerable to such assaults.
Technical Expertise: Tech workers frequently have specialised technical knowledge, but this knowledge may only sometimes extend to cybersecurity. Their primary concentration is writing software, designing systems, or implementing technologies, which may result in missing possible vulnerabilities or a lack of overall cybersecurity understanding.
Confidence in Technology: IT workers have a higher level of confidence in technology because of their knowledge and dependence on technology. This trust can sometimes make individuals more vulnerable to sophisticated frauds or social engineering approaches that prey on their faith in the services they utilise.
Time Constraints and Pressure: Tech workers frequently operate under tight deadlines and tremendous pressure to reach project milestones. This may result in hurried decision-making or disregarding possible warning signals of cyber fraud, rendering them more exposed to assaults that prey on time-sensitive circumstances.
Cybercriminals know that technology workers have valuable knowledge, trade secrets, and intellectual property that may be economically profitable. As a result, they are attractive targets for attacks aiming at stealing sensitive data or gaining unauthorised access to critical systems.
The best practices that cyber techies can apply to safeguard their personal and professional data by following these simple tips:
Strong Passwords: create a strong password, using passwords for all your online accounts and changing them regularly. Remember to use unique combinations!
MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): Enable MFA wherever possible. This provides an extra degree of protection by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code texted to your mobile device and your password.
Use Secured WiFi: Use secure and encrypted Wi-Fi networks, especially while viewing sensitive information. Avoid connecting to public or unprotected networks, as they can be readily exploited. Recognising Red Flags and Staying Ahead
Social Engineering: Be sceptical of unwanted solicitations or offers, both online and offline. Cybercriminals may try to persuade or fool you using social engineering tactics. Before revealing any personal or private information, think critically and confirm the veracity of the request.
Secure Web Browsing: Only browse trustworthy websites with valid SSL certificates (look for “https://” in the URL). Avoid clicking on strange links or downloading files from unknown sources since they may contain malware or ransomware.
Report Suspicious actions: If you encounter any suspicious or fraudulent actions, report them to the relevant authorities, such as the Cyber Crime Police or your organisation’s IT department. Reporting events can assist in avoiding additional harm and aid in identifying and apprehending hackers.
Stay Current on Security Practises: Stay up to speed on the newest cybersecurity risks and best practices. Follow credible sources, participate in cybersecurity forums or seminars, and remain current on new threats and preventative measures.
Conclusion
The rise in cybercrimes and fraud cases among tech experts in Cyberabad is a disturbing trend that requires prompt intervention. We can establish a safer tech cluster that lives on creativity, trust, and resilience by adopting proactive actions, raising awareness, and encouraging cooperation. Let us work together to prevent cybercrime and ensure the future of Cyberabad’s IT ecosystem.
A photo featuring Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is being widely shared on social media. In the image, both players are seen holding a Shivling, with the Kedarnath temple visible in the background. Users sharing the image claim that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma recently visited Kedarnath.
However, CyberPeace Foundation’s investigation found the claim to be false. Our verification established that the viral image is not real but has been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is being circulated with a misleading narrative.
The Claim
An Instagram user shared the viral image on December 22, 2025, with the caption stating that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in Kedarnath. The post has since been widely reshared by other users, who assumed the image to be authentic. Link, archive link, screenshot:
On closely examining the viral image, the Desk noticed visual inconsistencies suggesting that it may be AI-generated. To verify this, the image was scanned using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation. According to the results, the image was found to be 99 per cent AI-generated.
Further verification was conducted using another AI detection tool, Sightengine. The analysis revealed that the image was 93 per cent likely to be AI-generated, reinforcing the findings from the previous tool.
Conclusion
CyberPeace Foundation’s research confirms that the viral image claiming Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma visited Kedarnath is fabricated. The image has been generated using AI technology and is being falsely shared on social media as a real photograph.
Following recent escalations between Iran and Israel, where both countries reportedly exchanged missile strikes over the weekend, a video is now circulating on social media claiming to show the latest attacks between the two nations. However, CyberPeace Research Wing research found that the viral video is not related to the recent developments. The footage is actually from a March incident involving reported US-Israeli strikes in Tehran’s Jannat Abad area.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the viral video with the caption:“Israel, ignoring Trump’s advice, has carried out a major retaliatory strike on Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, and Kermanshah.”
The video is being widely shared with claims that it shows recent Iran–Israel missile exchanges following Sunday’s reported attacks.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. The research led us to a post from BBC Persian journalist Ghoncheh Habibiazad’s X account dated 3 March. The video was shared with a caption describing it as showing a strike in Tehran attributed to US-Israeli action.
Further verification found the same footage published by Sky News and uploaded on Al Arabiya’s YouTube channel on 3 March 2026. The accompanying descriptions referred to smoke rising from Tehran’s District 5 and near the Hemmat Expressway following the strike.
Additionally, a comparison using Google Satellite View confirmed that the location seen in the viral video matches the same area shown in the earlier March footage shared by BBC-affiliated reporting.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that the viral video has no connection to the recent Iran–Israel missile exchanges. The footage is from a March incident showing reported strikes in Tehran’s Jannat Abad area, and is being misleadingly shared as a recent escalation between the two countries.
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