Category Corruption

How pro-Russian ‘yacht’ propaganda influenced US debate over Ukraine aid

A website founded by a former US Marine who now lives in Russia has fuelled a rumour that Volodymyr Zelensky purchased two luxury yachts with American aid money. Despite the false claim, the disinformation plot was successful. It took off online and was echoed by members of the US Congress making crucial decisions about military spending.

It was an incredible assertion - using two advisers as proxies, Mr Zelensky paid $75m (£59m) for two yachts. But not only has the Ukrainian government flatly denied the story, the two ships in question have not even been sold.

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No, Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t buy a villa in Florida

Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky buy a house in Florida? And did he get American citizenship? Those are the rumors circulating on social media along with a couple of photos. However, the villa that appears in the photos is still up for sale and the certificate of nationality is fake, making this the latest example of fake news stories implying that Ukrainian officials are using international aid money for personal purposes.

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Fake: Ukrainian Resort Bukovel Saves Guests from Mobilization for Money

In a comment to StopFake, the resort's press service denied the existence of such a service and noted that representatives of Territorial drafting centers have full access to the territory of Bukovel.

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Fact Check: Did Zelensky Buy $20 Million Mansion in Florida?

Although Zelensky and his business partners had several offshore companies and properties, according to financial documents leaked in 2021, none of those assets are in Florida.

And the Florida home that purportedly belongs to him actually belongs to a couple who bought the property more than four years ago.

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Fake: Ukrainian Government Tried to Sell Scythian Gold at Sotheby’s – Bloomberg

This news is fake, and the story of the attempted sale of Scythian gold is made up. Bloomberg did not publish such stories either on its website or in its social media. Currently, the archaeological objects known as Scythian gold from Crimea, returned to Ukraine from the Netherlands, are under close guard at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

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The real story behind claims thar Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelens… | Prestige Yacht | TikTok

The real story behind claims thar Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy used millions in U.S. aid money to buy two yachts. #zelenskyy #ukraine?? #yacht #proxy #usaid #ukrainewar #greenscreen

Read MoreThe real story behind claims thar Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelens… | Prestige Yacht | TikTok

Fact Check: Did Ukraine’s Zelensky Buy a $48 Million Yacht?

The Ruling: False.
Volodymyr Zelensky has not bought a $48.9 million yacht, as confirmed by the broker handling its sale.

There is no evidence a similar purchase has been made elsewhere. Funding to Ukraine is heavily audited and itemized, making it very difficult, if not impossible, for Zelensky to make such a purchase using U.S. contributions.

Read MoreFact Check: Did Ukraine’s Zelensky Buy a $48 Million Yacht?
False Claims Around Israel Attacks Include Recycled Videos and a Game Clip

False Claims Around Israel Attacks Include Recycled Videos and a Game Clip

“Bellingcat: Ukrainian military offensive failure and HAMAS attack linked,” opening text on the video claimed. But the BBC never published that report, and the underlying claim is unsubstantiated.

Read MoreFalse Claims Around Israel Attacks Include Recycled Videos and a Game Clip
BBC did not report that Ukraine is sending arms to Hamas, a video was fabricated

BBC did not report that Ukraine is sending arms to Hamas, a video was fabricated

CLAIM: A video shows a BBC News report confirming Ukraine provided weapons to Hamas.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The widely shared video clip is fabricated. Officials with the BBC and Bellingcat, an investigative news website that is cited in the video as the source, confirm that neither outlet has reported such a claim. Experts say there is no evidence of Hamas making such a claim, either, and say there is no reason for Ukraine to arm the militant group.

Read MoreBBC did not report that Ukraine is sending arms to Hamas, a video was fabricated