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.
Despite being false, the story reached members of the US Congress, where leaders say any decision on further aid to Ukraine will be delayed until next year.
Redirecting military funds to buy wealthy oligarchs’ yachts is what has caused most of the problems with the Russian military. That and their military culture in general.
Pro-Putin useful idiots in the west parrot this language to make false allegations against Ukraine because it seems familiar and “truth-y” to the region because Russia literally did what they’re falsely accusing their opponents of doing. Still bullshit.
Zelenskyy fights from the front and asks for allies to keep their promises. Putin lives in a bunker and orders the bombing of schools and hospitals. Please don’t equate “the ukraine” with Russia. Muscovites lived in mud huts while Kyiv was the political and cultural center of the region.