Dissecting the Latest Russian Propaganda Against Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Overview of the Situation
In a troubling trend, Russian propaganda networks have once again targeted Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine. This time, pro-Russian Telegram channels have circulated a sensational but completely false claim: that Zelenskyy purchased luxurious apartments in Dubai, valued at $3.2 million, as a birthday gift for his mother nearing her 74th birthday.
The Origin of the Fake News
Starting June 5, several Telegram channels, including “Shkvarka 2.0,” “Uncle Slava,” “Ostashko! Important,” “Olesya Loseva,” and “Tsargrad TV,” shared a fabricated narrative intending to undermine Zelenskyy’s reputation. They referenced a supposed report from Al Arabiya, stating that the Ukrainian president had acquired apartments on the 11th floor of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This shocking news was subsequently relayed repeatedly, even featuring the Al Arabiya logo alongside Russian subtitles.
The Mechanics of the Hoax
Claiming to have sourced information from alchourouk.com, these channels suggested that Zelenskyy’s mother became the owner of these lavish apartments on September 16, coinciding with her birthday. This crafted narrative was bolstered by the supposed authority of a well-known Saudi Arabian media outlet, and soon proliferated across numerous platforms.
The Propaganda Machine in Action
Russian media outlets like Tsargrad, Lenta.ru, EaDaily, and Gazeta.ru leaped at the opportunity to disseminate this story further, ensuring that it infiltrated social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Posts quickly went viral, with Johnny Midnight’s X account even garnering over 350,000 views on its video about the claim within a single day.
Examining the Origins: A Deep Dive
Upon close examination, a significant lack of credible evidence supporting this story becomes apparent. Alchourouk.com, the source of the news, published the article on June 2 without any verifiable references, relying on anonymous "journalists" and unfounded “reports” to back its claims.
Unpacking the Allegations
To add weight to the allegations, the manufactured reports seemed to include details like the apartments being a part of the Armani Residences project and that they were indeed located in the Burj Khalifa. However, upon investigation, the official resources from Al Arabiya do not corroborate any such purchase by Zelenskyy or his family.
Analyzing the Videos and Claims
The narrative gained further traction thanks to videos shared across various platforms. However, fact-checkers underline inconsistencies in these videos. The production quality, font, and animation style did not match official Al Arabiya outputs, indicating that they were likely fabricated to mislead viewers.
Scrutinizing the Evidence
Investigators analyzed video compositions that included footage of Zelenskyy alongside a hearing of the alleged purchase. However, public records and legal documents regarding real estate in Dubai tell a different story. Using Dubai Land Department services to verify the existence of the claimed property yielded no results. The supposed ownership documents indicated no affiliation with the Burj Khalifa or Armani Residences.
Legal Documents Under the Microscope
The investigation turned toward the documents showcasing the purchase, purportedly marked with the number “76421.” This document was verified via Dubai Land Department resources, confirming it was linked to a different housing project entirely—not the glamorous Burj Khalifa.
Moreover, terminology in the fake documents raised red flags among real estate experts. The term "2 B/R" described in the faux documentation does not exist within the Dubai property classification system; apartments are categorized simply as “Units.”
The Fabrication of Reality
Ultimately, the very factual basis for the claim crumbled. No legitimate documentation exists for the alleged purchase. The purported "INITIAL CONTRACT OF SALE" does not align with what is customary for buying properties in Dubai, particularly given that the Burj Khalifa was completed in 2009, long before the scenarios painted in these fabricated stories.
By dissecting the fabrications meticulously, it’s clear that the scenario of Zelenskyy showering his mother with gifts of opulence is a product of Russian propaganda machinery designed to create distrust and discredit his leadership.
Understanding the Implications
These orchestrated disinformation campaigns not only propagate false narratives but also aim to destabilize the political climate further in Ukraine and diminish Zelenskyy’s standing both domestically and internationally. While falsehoods such as these may momentarily rattle the public’s perception, a closer examination often reveals the underlying reality—a consistent pattern of Russian propaganda aiming to manipulate sentiments surrounding current geopolitical events.
