A fake article falsely claims that an employee from the Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau has fled to Europe with evidence implicating President Volodymyr Zelensky in a $1.2 billion embezzlement scheme to buy luxury properties. This misleading information, linked to a broader disinformation campaign, includes a video with AI-generated audio and falsely credits the claims to a fabricated “London Telegraph” article.
The disinformation gained traction following recent changes to Ukraine’s anti-corruption oversight, which caused public outcry; however, no evidence supports the article’s claims. The supposed whistleblower, “Olena K,” does not exist, and Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency has denied any knowledge of the alleged financial misconduct.
The article’s byline is a fabrication, using the identity of British journalist Helen Brown without her consent, who expressed shock at the misuse of her image. The website hosting the false article displays suspicious characteristics, indicating it is not a legitimate media outlet. Analysis of video elements reveals that they are unrelated to the claims made and largely rely on discredited sources.
This incident forms part of ongoing efforts to undermine support for Zelensky and his government through disinformation, which has become increasingly targeted since the Russian invasion in 2022.
