Lightening an im,age does not require Photoshop, I can replicate the washout and other elements with brightness and contrast
The picture has definitely been tampered with, I know it is on the list not to post but go to RT.com, have an excellent article and better images to review
RT.com is not on the list...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1111944/posts
Post a link to the RT article you refer to.
You understand of course that RT.com is primarily a bastion of progressive bilge and leftist propaganda.