Russian Propaganda Campaign Targets Zelenskyy's Wife with Fabricated Claims

A coordinated Russian propaganda campaign is disseminating false information regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska. State-controlled Russian television channel NTV and numerous social media accounts with large followings have published fabricated details about the couple's actions at the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

One prominent falsehood alleges that President Zelenskyy evacuated his wife and two children using fake passports just hours before Russian troops entered Ukraine. The operation was purportedly orchestrated by Timur Mindich, a former advisor now wanted in Ukraine for corruption. However, Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform has investigated and refuted these claims, confirming that Zelenska remained in Ukraine after the war began, though her location was kept secret.

The Russian reports also present images of what they claim are two forged passports used by the children. These documents contain several discrepancies compared to standard Ukrainian identification, including a missing line between first and last names. Furthermore, the president's son was too young to have a Ukrainian passport at the time, as the country issues them only to individuals aged 14 and older.

Similar inconsistencies are noted in the alleged passport of Olena Zelenska, with her name appearing in a different font and color than the rest of the text. NTV has also amplified another propaganda narrative, using an AI-generated image to falsely claim Zelenska spent one million euros on jewelry and clothing in Paris. This builds on previous unsubstantiated accusations by Russian state media about her spending "stolen money" in exclusive European locations.

This campaign echoes earlier disinformation efforts, such as claims that President Zelenskyy fled the Ukrainian capital. Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's State Duma, falsely asserted that the president had escaped to Lviv with his entourage shortly after the invasion began. In reality, Zelenskyy remained in Kyiv as Russian forces advanced.