A video circulating on pro-Ukrainian social media accounts captures a man falling from the top of a tall pine tree while trying to hoist a Soviet Union flag. The footage, shared by former Ukrainian Internal Affairs Minister adviser Anton Gerashchenko on X (formerly Twitter), shows the man slowly climbing the tree and reaching the peak to attach the flag. Moments later, a branch breaks, causing him to tumble abruptly to the ground, snapping dry branches along the way.
Details of the Incident
The video, which appeared on the Telegram channel @karymat, which provides updates on the war in Ukraine, could not be independently verified by the Daily Express. In the footage, two other men, presumed to be Russian, stand in front of the camera. They raise their right arms, display a peace sign, and one appears to perform a brief Nazi salute before turning around as the man behind them falls. Throughout the video, the men are heard shouting and screaming in Russian.
Online Reactions
The video has sparked widespread amusement on social media. One user commented that it depicts “The Rise and Fall of the USSR in 10 Seconds,” while another joked that “more than a bit of alcohol was flowing there” and that “they didn’t even notice him falling off.” A third user wrote: “I hope the tree is okay.” The video continues to spread online, accumulating views and reactions.
Context of the Ukraine War
The incident comes amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian troops have reportedly infiltrated the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine and are attempting to surround it. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones have attacked ports in Kerch and the Krasnodar Krai region of the Russian Federation.
