Author(s): BORIS BACHORZ / AFP Originally published here.
Ukraine
Whenever you come across a claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has purchased a new luxury property or that his wife Olena Zelenska has gone on an extravagant shopping spree, it’s worth pausing and taking a closer look. Many such “shocking revelations” that have circulated in the past have turned out to be baseless.
Still, these stories keep resurfacing, following a familiar pattern: an obscure journalist or a “whistleblower” posts allegations about a suspicious purchase, which are then amplified by networks of local websites or influencers sympathetic to Russia. From there, the story spreads further through smaller channels and social media groups.
Such sources seek to undermine the legitimacy of Western support for Ukraine’s defense and to erode trust in Ukraine’s leadership. Similar stories may resurface in the future, especially ahead of significant decisions and votes in the European Union or the United States concerning financial, humanitarian, and military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on oil and gas facilities in Russia, with one strike hitting the major Orenburg gas processing plant in southern Russia on October 19, 2025. But an image of firefighters battling a massive blaze shared online was in fact taken more than a year ago in the Kursk region.
“Amazing things happen when the BBC forgets to cut its reporter’s feed while covering the Trump-Zelensky fiasco,” says a March 5, 2025 X post with thousands of interactions.
“BREAKING: Ukraine ‘soldiers’ have resorted to faking combat in order to appear ‘war torn’ so the slush fund from the U.S. keeps churning money their way!” says a March 1, 2025 X post with thousands of interactions.
A common theme among spreaders of disinformation is that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a Nazi or that he embezzles Western aid intended for Ukraine. In the past, disinformation spreaders have falsely claimed that he bought a former mansion of Joseph Goebbels, two luxury yachts or even Adolf Hitler’s Mercedes.
US President Donald Trump on February 20, 2025 in Washington. – Samuel Corum / AFP © AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE | 2024…
“Iranian missiles struck a tower in the heart of Tel Aviv,” read the Indonesian caption on a Facebook post from October 2, 2024.
“Romania beat 3-0 over Ukraine in Euro 2024 group stage, Romanian fans chant ‘Putin’ on the stand,” read a simplified Chinese caption of a Weibo post shared on June 18, 2024.
“BOMBSHELL TUCKER RELEASED AN VIDEO (sic) FROM ZELENSKY BEING CAPTURED… HE IS BEING TRANSFERRED TO BLACK DOLPHIN PRISON (RUSSIA) WITH HIGH SECURITY,” says the April 8, 2024 post.