Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska become Ist owner of $4.8 mln Bugatti Tourbillon? Is it Kremlin’s AI spin?

 The allegation surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska, becoming the owner of a $4.8 million Bugatti Tourbillon has sparked controversy amid ongoing corruption accusations against the couple.

Reports originating from a French website, Verité Cachée ("Hidden Truth"), claimed that during a visit to France for the D-Day Normandy commemorations, the Zelenskyy couple was presented with a private viewing of the Bugatti vehicle, leading to Olena Zelenska allegedly placing an order. The article included what it purported to be an invoice for the car, slated for delivery in 2026.

However, fact-checkers and disinformation watchdogs have raised serious doubts about the authenticity of these claims. The video supporting the purchase was identified as a deepfake, likely propagated by known Kremlin-linked propagandists. Assertions made by the website and amplified by questionable sources, including pro-Putin commentators, further cast doubt on the credibility of the allegations.

The Center for Information Resilience and Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation highlighted significant red flags, such as the recent establishment of the French website and its pro-Russian content about the war in Ukraine. They also pointed out inconsistencies, including the minimal online presence of the supposed Bugatti dealership employee and indications of artificial content generation.

This latest controversy underscores ongoing efforts to spread disinformation targeting Ukrainian leadership, adding complexity to the landscape of digital misinformation and geopolitical tensions.