A strange video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently circulating online. In it, he sits at his presidential table, dressed in his trademark khaki t-shirt. Staring straight down the camera, he addresses the Ukrainian people: ‘Dear citizens!’
At first glance, it could really be one of Zelensky’s nightly addresses. Except, almost immediately, you notice the meaty disembodied hand gripping him by the left shoulder. With apparent distress, Zelensky continues, announcing the surrender of Ukraine on ‘land, sea and air’. The meaty arm shakes him to get him to spit the words out, committing Ukraine to ‘complete denazification’ within a month of signing.
Kadyrov is mocking Zelensky and the Ukrainian cause, while claiming part of the credit of Putin’s war for himself
The video is, of course, a spoof. This becomes clear as ‘Zelensky’ – either a CGI deepfake or else played by an eerily-similar lookalike – shudderingly turns to his left and says: ‘And thirdly, Akhmat is strength.’
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