FACT CHECK: Viral Video Showing Robot Soldier With Zelenskyy Is Digitally Created
A TikTok video shared on Twitter purports to show a robot soldier with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Robot soldiers for Ukraine now what is next terminator👌
— nikola 3 (@ronin19217435) July 19, 2023
Verdict: False
The video is digitally created.
Fact Check:
Zelenskyy recently fired Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, according to the Financial Times. Prystaiko called Zelenskyy “sarcastic” during a Sky News interview days before he was fired, Sky News reported.
“New ‘Robot Royal Force’ Type-C robot arrived to Ukraine,” text overlay, featuring a British flag, on the video reads. The video, which appears to show the robot walking alongside Zelenskyy in Ukraine, has been viewed over 200,000 times as of publication.
The claim is false. The video is digitally created and was posted on TikTok by the user @animatronic3d. “I will create theese [sic] strange 3D looking things I hope you enjoy watching,” the social media user’s bio reads.
Check Your Fact reviewed the social media user’s TikTok profile and found other videos showing the robot in Ukraine, including one in which the robot appears to pose for a photo with Zelenskyy. The video is edited to look like a “Breaking News” report and claims to show “new leaked footage of a robot sent to Ukraine from [the] UK.”
@animatronic3d Newly leaked footage of a #obot that was sent to #Ukraine 🇺🇦 from #unitedkingdom 🇬🇧 #fypシ #viral #brekingnews #ai #robot #foryou #viral ♬ original sound – Animatronic3D
Likewise, the purported video has not been included in any recent credible news reports about Ukraine or Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy also has not publicly addressed the video via statements published on his website or verified social media accounts. In addition, the UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on the purported video. (RELATED: No, Image Does Not Show Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s House)
Check Your Fact has contacted Zelenskyy’s office for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
This is not the first time a false claim about Zelenskyy and Ukraine has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked a Twitter video purporting Zelenskyy said he did know who blew up the Kerch Bridge.
