False claims about Ukraine’s first lady and adviser debunked as disinformation

Two viral rumors about Ukrainian officials have been proven false. A parody X account claimed First Lady Olena Zelenska fled Ukraine carrying €66 million in cash, gold bars and jewelry, citing a supposed British embassy source. Official records show Zelenska continued public appearances, including the Vyshyvanka Day celebration on May 21 and meetings with Australian businessman Andrew Forrest on May 20. The claim originated from a self‑identified parody account on May 17 and has no corroboration from Ukrainian or Western media.

A separate false post attributed a statement to presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, asserting Ukraine was ready to replace the United States in defending Taiwan. The quotation appeared on a satire‑focused Telegram channel on May 16, using a past interview image to lend credibility. No Ukrainian government source, nor any reputable media, contains such a remark. Both pieces of misinformation are linked to ongoing Russian‑linked information campaigns aimed at undermining trust in Ukrainian institutions.