Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s First Lady, Targeted by Renewed Russian Disinformation Campaign
In the latest wave of disinformation targeting prominent Ukrainian figures, Olena Zelenska, the wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has become the subject of a fabricated story claiming she attempted to flee to Europe amidst purported marital discord. This false narrative, disseminated through a manipulated video bearing the BBC logo, represents a renewed effort by a known Russian disinformation operation to undermine Ukrainian morale and sow discord within the country. The video, widely shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, TikTok, and Facebook, alleges that Zelenska had been planning an escape to an undisclosed European country for six months and is now detained by Ukrainian security services. This narrative has been categorically debunked by the BBC and independent fact-checkers.
The video’s creators employed sophisticated editing techniques to mimic the BBC’s visual style, lending an air of credibility to their false claims. Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist at the BBC’s fact-checking service, affirmed that the BBC never produced or published the video, explicitly identifying it as a product of a known Russian disinformation campaign. This campaign has previously utilized similar tactics, cloning websites and creating fake reports using the branding of reputable news organizations like Euronews to spread disinformation disparaging Ukraine. The goal of such operations is to erode public trust in both Ukrainian leadership and credible news sources.
This latest disinformation attack against Zelenska is not an isolated incident. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, a government agency, uncovered fabricated front pages of British newspapers with headlines like "Where’s Olena Zelenska?" circulating on pro-Russian Telegram channels. These manipulated images further underscore the concerted effort to smear the Ukrainian first lady and sow seeds of doubt about her whereabouts and well-being. The narratives aim to create a perception of instability and division within the Ukrainian government.
The fake BBC video originated from an X account known as "Peacemaker," an account with a history of spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine. This account, boasting over 40,000 followers and a paid-for blue verification checkmark, has previously disseminated false information about Zelenska, including a debunked claim about her lavish spending during a trip to Paris. Despite documented evidence linking the account to a Russian disinformation campaign, including an investigation by the BBC in July 2022, the account remains active on the platform.
The continuing presence and verified status of accounts like "Peacemaker" raise serious concerns about the role of social media platforms in amplifying disinformation. Euroverify’s attempts to contact X’s press team for comment on the platform’s measures to address the spread of disinformation have so far gone unanswered. This lack of responsiveness underscores the urgent need for social media companies to implement robust mechanisms to identify and counter disinformation campaigns, particularly those originating from state-backed actors. The continued spread of these fabricated narratives, especially from seemingly legitimate accounts, poses a significant threat to the accurate and timely flow of information during wartime.
This renewed disinformation campaign targeting Olena Zelenska highlights the ongoing information war surrounding the conflict in Ukraine. The use of sophisticated editing techniques to mimic credible news outlets, coupled with the amplification provided by social media platforms, underscores the insidious nature of these operations. The continued activity of known disinformation spreaders on platforms like X raises important questions about the effectiveness of current content moderation policies. The manipulation of information during times of conflict presents significant real-world dangers, potentially influencing public opinion, undermining trust in legitimate news sources and ultimately impacting the course of the conflict. The international community must remain vigilant in identifying and countering these disinformation campaigns and promoting media literacy to help citizens discern truth from falsehood.