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Russian media outlets have been caught spreading disinformation about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Kupiansk, falsely claiming that footage of his appearance near a city stele on December 12 was fabricated.
Russian state news agency TASS and other Kremlin-backed media sources have circulated allegations that the video was either pre-recorded or created using deepfake technology. These claims primarily originated from Vasyl Prozorov, a former Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) officer who defected to Russia in 2019 and has since become a prominent voice in anti-Ukrainian propaganda campaigns.
Since his defection, Prozorov has repeatedly spread disinformation about Ukraine, including false narratives about Ukraine’s alleged involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and unsubstantiated claims regarding U.S. “biological weapons tests” on Ukrainian soil. He operates a network of Telegram channels under the name “UkrLeaks,” which consistently publishes misleading information about Ukraine. Russian authorities reported an assassination attempt against Prozorov in Moscow last year.
In a separate but related disinformation effort, Russian Telegram channels have claimed that Zelensky’s Kupiansk appearance was filmed using chroma key technology in a studio setting. As purported evidence, propagandists shared footage showing Zelensky in a filming studio, claiming the Kupiansk video was recorded at Lucasfilm studios in the United States, where Star Wars films are produced.
Independent fact-checking has debunked these claims. The studio footage being circulated dates back to June 2022, when it was published on the Founders Forum YouTube channel. The video, titled “Behind the scenes: President Zelensky’s holographic and augmented address to the European tech community,” documents the creation of a hologram for Zelensky’s address to European technology festivals on June 15, 2022. The hologram project was produced by Evercoast as an example of augmented reality technology and bears no relation to Zelensky’s December 2025 Kupiansk visit.
This is not the first time Russian propagandists have repurposed this particular footage. Early in Russia’s full-scale invasion, the same video was used in an attempt to “prove” that Zelensky had fled Ukraine – a narrative pushed by Illia Kyva, a former Ukrainian MP who defected to Russia.
Multiple sources confirm that Zelensky’s Kupiansk visit was genuine. The president recorded a video address in the combat zone, with audible explosions in the background, thanking Ukrainian soldiers for their service. As part of his working trip, he also visited the forward command post of the 14th Mechanized Brigade stationed in Kupiansk. The visit has been documented through official photos and videos, including coverage from independent media sources.
Security analysts suggest these disinformation efforts are part of a crisis-response strategy aimed at reinforcing Vladimir Putin’s previous false claims that Russia maintains control over Kupiansk. The timing of these fabricated narratives appears designed to counter evidence of Ukrainian presence in contested territories.
This incident follows a pattern of Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian leadership. Ukrinform previously reported on similar false claims regarding the alleged “flight” of local Ukrainian officials from Kherson, which were also debunked.
The ongoing information warfare underscores Russia’s continued efforts to shape perceptions of the conflict through deliberate manipulation of media content, often recycling old footage and presenting it in misleading contexts to support strategic narratives.
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9 Comments
The use of defectors and unsubstantiated claims to spread disinformation is a classic tactic of the Russian government. We must remain vigilant and continue to call out these blatant attempts to deceive the public.
The claims about deepfake technology and pre-recorded footage seem like a desperate attempt to undermine Zelensky’s visit. Russia’s reliance on defectors and questionable sources to spread these allegations is telling.
Agreed. Russia’s tactics are becoming more and more transparent, and I hope the international community continues to expose and reject this kind of propaganda.
It’s disappointing to see Russia resorting to such obvious propaganda tactics. Their attempts to discredit Zelensky’s visit and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty are transparent and concerning.
This is just another example of the Kremlin’s continued efforts to manipulate the narrative and sow division. I hope the public sees through these transparent attempts at propaganda.
It’s disappointing to see Russian propaganda outlets spreading false information about President Zelensky’s visit. Disinformation and manipulation of facts only serve to sow confusion and mistrust. I hope the public can see through these tactics and rely on credible, verified sources for information.
This is yet another example of Russia’s attempts to control the narrative and discredit Ukraine. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant against such blatant propaganda efforts and continue to support Ukraine’s fight for the truth.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and calling out these falsehoods is key to countering the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign.
It’s concerning to see the lengths Russia will go to discredit Ukraine’s leadership. We should remain vigilant and support efforts to counter disinformation and hold Russia accountable for its actions.