{"id":94798,"date":"2022-12-02T12:58:54","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T08:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mythdetector.ge\/?p=94798"},"modified":"2022-12-07T15:05:05","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T11:05:05","slug":"how-does-kremlin-propaganda-fabricate-the-covers-of-western-outlets-to-discredit-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mythdetector.ge\/en\/how-does-kremlin-propaganda-fabricate-the-covers-of-western-outlets-to-discredit-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"How does Kremlin Propaganda Fabricate the Covers of Western Outlets to Discredit Ukraine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the launch of Russia\u2019s full-scale war in Ukraine on February 24<\/span>th<\/span>, 2022, one of the most widespread methods of Kremlin propaganda was to fabricate the covers of prominent Western publications. This type of false imagery aimed to create the impression as if the well-known magazines mock and ridicule the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Western leaders and recognize the weakness of Europe and the United States against the background of Russia’s military might.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In total, “Myth Detector” verified eight fabricated covers, including the French “Charlie Hebdo,” American “Time” and the Spanish satirical magazine “El Jueves.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The software-edited cover photos were mainly distributed by Facebook profiles; however, in selected cases, fake photos were distributed among the Russian-language media outlets, as well as among the Facebook pages of the leaders and party of the Georgian pro-Kremlin Alt-Info\/Conservative Movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Discrediting Zelenskyy and Inciting anti-Ukrainian sentiments<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>5 of the 8 fabricated covers featured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The photo of the President of Ukraine on the fabricated cover of<\/span> TIME<\/span><\/a> magazine was accompanied by the inscription “LADIMIR ELENSKI” and the claim that Zelenskyy refused to use the letters V and Z in his first and last name. This assertion is in response to a law passed by the Rada of Ukraine, which prohibits the use of these two symbols in information and public space, as they have become a symbol of the invasion of the Russian army in Ukraine. The cover intended to portray Zelenskyy as a comical, frivolous figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fabricated cover of TIME magazine<\/span><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The photo that was attributed to the Spanish publication<\/span> EL JUEVES<\/span><\/a>, showed Zelenskyy’s deformed face and rockets. The photo concerned the missile attacks carried out by Russia on Ukrainian cities in October and aimed to show the weakness of Ukraine and Zelenskyy as a leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Another fabricated cover of “<\/span>Charlie Hebdo<\/span><\/a>” was aimed to demonstrate the weakness of Ukraine. It depicted the location of Kyiv with the inscription, “And here we go to the dark side”. The cover is linked to the temporary interruption of electricity supply in the capital of Ukraine, which was the result of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. This cover, like the photo published by El Jueves, alludes to Ukraine’s failure in the war.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fabricated covers of EL Jueves (left) and Charlie Hebdo (right)<\/span><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three different fabricated caricatures of “Charlie Hebdo” feature a zoomorphic image of Zelenskyy; in particular, the president of Ukraine is depicted in the form of a dog. In one case, Zelenskyy is standing next to a map of Great Britain and<\/span> holding<\/span><\/a> the severed hand of an Azov soldier in his mouth, in another caricature, he is<\/span> eating<\/span><\/a> dog food in front of Emmanuel Macron’s car; and in the third case, the President of Ukraine is<\/span> sitting<\/span><\/a> at the feet of King Charles III in front of the body of Queen Elizabeth II. The purpose of the caricatures is to portray Zelensky as a subservient figure to Britain and France.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fabricated covers of Charlie Hebdo<\/span><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n