FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Volodymyr Zelenskyy And His Former Advisor At A Gay Pride Event?
A photo shared on Instagram allegedly shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his former advisor Oleksiy Arestovych attending a gay pride event.
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Verdict: False
This photo is digitally altered. The original picture was taken in 2006 and the people shown do not resemble Arestoych and Zelenskyy.
Fact Check:
Attorney General Mark Garland was invited to Ukraine by Zelenskyy, stating during his visit that he believes Russia should be held accountable for their invasion of Ukraine, Politico reported. Zelenskyy echoed the sentiment, accusing Russia of committing over 70,000 war crimes, according AP News.
An Instagram photo allegedly shows Zelenskyy and Arestoych dressed in revealing clothing at a gay pride celebration. Text on the image identifies “President of Ukraine” and “Advisor to President Zelensky Arestovych” with arrows pointing to each person. Text also claims the image was taken in New York in 1999.
The image has been altered, however. The photo was originally posted to Flickr by a user named Thomas Hobbs. It was uploaded in 2006, not 1999, and is titled “Gay Pride 2006.” In this unedited photo, the two men’s faces have makeup on and do not resemble Zelenskyy and Arestovych. (RELATED: Do These Photos Show A Body Double Of Volodymyr Zelenskyy?)
Check Your Fact has reached out to Hobbs for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
This is not the first time Zelenskyy has been the subject of viral misinformation. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim that images show him with alleged body doubles.
