A video of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has gone viral on social media, with claims that he smiled and responded with “I don’t know” when asked about the situation in the Russian region of Kursk. The video, widely shared with captions suggesting that Zelenskyy was dismissive of the conflict, has sparked significant controversy.
However, a thorough investigation reveals that this video is being taken out of context and is not related to the ongoing conflict in Kursk. Here’s what really happened.
The True Origin of the Viral Video
The video in question is actually from the NATO Summit 2023, which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, 2023. During this summit, Zelenskyy was addressing the issue of Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles from the United States. In a press conference, a journalist asked Zelenskyy when Ukraine would receive these missiles. Zelenskyy responded with a smile and said, “I don’t know,” explaining that the decision was complicated and still under discussion with the U.S. administration.
This clip has since been misrepresented on social media, with some users falsely claiming that Zelenskyy was responding to a question about the situation in Kursk.
What’s Happening in Kursk?
The Kursk region in Russia has indeed seen recent military activity. Reports indicate that Ukraine launched a significant cross-border attack in the area, which led Russia to declare a “counter-terror operation” and impose a federal-level emergency. Despite the situation in Kursk, there is no evidence that Zelenskyy has made any public statements specifically addressing this conflict. His recent comments have focused on other strategic aspects of the war, such as Ukraine’s use of drones and the broader impact of Russia’s invasion.
Conclusion
The viral video does not depict Zelenskyy responding to a question about the conflict in Kursk. Instead, it shows a moment from the NATO Summit 2023 where he was discussing Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles from the United States. The video has been taken out of context and wrongly linked to the conflict in Kursk.
Verdict: False. The video is unrelated to the conflict in Kursk and has been misleadingly presented on social media.
For All Social Media Buffs
Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is unintentionally spread. It can occur due to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or errors. Misinformation is often shared innocently, without malicious intent.
Examples of misinformation include:
- Rumors: Spreading unverified stories or claims.
- Mistaken Identity: Incorrectly attributing an event or statement to the wrong person.
- Outdated Information: Sharing facts that were once true but have since changed.