### BBC Verify Analyzes Key International Events Amid Controversies

BBC Verify has been actively engaging in thorough investigations utilizing open-source intelligence, satellite imagery, fact-checking, and data analysis to shed light on intricate global stories. Their recent efforts have delved into President Donald Trump's decision to ban individuals from a dozen countries from entering the United States, as well as the ongoing situation in Gaza where US and Israeli-backed aid centers have been shut down for the second consecutive day.

In an in-depth analysis yesterday, the BBC Verify team scrutinized new satellite images from Planet Labs, obtained Wednesday morning, to assess Sunday’s Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian airbases. These images of airbases located in north-western and central Russia reveal significant damage, with at least 12 aircraft either destroyed or damaged. Drone footage from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also highlighted attacks on these bases, in addition to two others.

Key findings from Olenya, a major Russian airbase in the north-west, showed significant destruction. The satellite images portrayed smoke pouring from three aircraft identified as Tu-95 strategic bombers, while Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast exhibited considerable damage nearly 3,000km from the Ukrainian frontier. The data reflected three damaged Tu-95s and four Tu-22s scattered across various sections of the base.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the BBC’s coverage of reports that Israeli forces had killed Palestinians near an aid distribution center in Gaza, asserting that the BBC removed a story post-footage review. The BBC refuted these accusations, maintaining the integrity of its journalism. Ros Atkins from BBC Verify has been rigorously examining these claims to establish the facts.

The BBC Verify team, led by Rob Corp along with Paul Brown and Thomas Spencer, continues to provide the latest updates, emphasizing fact-checking, online open-source data gathering, disinformation debunking, and comprehensive data journalism. With a commitment to transparency, their current focal points include verifying the implications of Ukraine's drone strikes against Russian airbases.

Their pursuits underline the importance of meticulous verification in reporting, ensuring that audiences receive accurate and reliable information.