Endless inspiration for disinformation — Zelensky’s new alleged luxury is Hitler’s “Mercedes”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is once again the target of disinformation for allegedly spending money intended for the Ukrainian Army. This time, it is claimed he bought the famous Mercedes-Benz 770, whose most famous owner was Hitler. The claims come from the “news portal” Seattle Tribune, created a few days before the breaking news, while the main source is a manipulated screenshot from Telegram. Not only such a photo does not exist on the Telegram group that is quoted, the illustration is also a montage of two different pictures. This new attack on Zelensky comes only a few days after his visit to the United States, where he presented his “Victory Plan”

Disinformation attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have been a constant since the war in Ukraine started. This time, it is claimed he allegedly bought the “Mercedes-Benz 770” car or the “Großer Mercedes” (the “Grand Mercedes”) of the infamous dictator of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, for 15 million dollars. It is true the “Mercedes-Benz 770” was one of the most famous and most used models in the ranks of the Nazi Party in Germany and that it was this car which Hitler used for the victory parade in France. However, as early as 2018, the car was auctioned in Arizona, USA. This disinformation was also fact-checked by numerous colleagues from Lithuania (15min and Delfi), Czechia, USA (Forbes and Voice of America), Ukraine (United24 Media and Center for Countering Disinformation), Russia, Australia, as well as the diplomatic service of the EU, EUvsDisinfo

“The news” has started to spread relatively quickly in the Baltic states and Ukraine, with a picture or video being shared, as well as a direct link from the website Seattle Tribune, which at first sight resembles a real news portal.

However, numerous problematic moments surrounding the portal can be recognized immediately. Firstly, according to the US Library of Congress, the weekly newspaper “Seattle Tribune” was founded in 1931 and it is not known exactly when in the last century it was shut down. Consequently, no data can be found on whether the portal with the same name, created later on, has anything to do with the original.

Secondly, since the site is first registered on the 3^rd of October, 2024, a few days before the breaking news about Zelensky was published, it is very suspicious. There is no Impressum on the website, nor are there links to the journalists who write the news, the date the news was published or any other information about the portal itself. This is clear indication that this site impersonates a real news portal through which vectors of disinformation attacks are created, which is a well-known tactic.

It is also suspicious how the main source of this news is actually a screenshot from a channel on the Telegram platform, called “Реальна Війна” or Real War (there is no link to the Telegram post).

The picture itself, portraying the “Mercedes”, allegedly parked in front of the Presidential Palace of Ukraine, is obvious to be altered with at least two pictures.

Endless inspiration for disinformation — Zelensky’s new alleged luxury is Hitler’s “Mercedes”

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Фото: скриншот од

Фото: слика од <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/mercedesbenz-770--806214770774477423/">Pinterest</a>

One of the pictures, from the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, can be found on Adobe Stock — a site for downloading photos for commercial use. The other, can be found on the Pinterest platform. The photo manipulation is done so that the photo of the car is superimposed over the other photo of the palace. The same reflections can be seen from the fenders of the “Mercedes” and the hood. Moreover, the picture shows the weather was sunny, or at least clear. Meanwhile, on the 6^th of October, when this disinformation actually began to be spread, the weather forecast for Kyiv indicated record rainfall.

Inspiration behind the disinformation  

As in all previous cases when Zelensky and his family members were the target of disinformation, it was usually preceded by an important event that will wake up the Russian propagandists in order to distract attention elsewhere. More specifically, to undermine the trust not only of the citizens of Ukraine, but also of politicians and allies from the USA and the West who supply them with financial and military aid. And with that, prolong or block the help they are receiving, as was the case during the winter with the US Congress.

This time, the possible reason might be that one week before the website Seattle Tribune was created, Zelensky was in the United States. More specifically, on the 23^rd of September he was in the state of Pennsylvania, where he visited an ammunition factory, while a few days later, on the 26^th of September, he presented his “Victory Plan” in the Oval Office in the White House.

On another note, six times just this year, Truthmeter.mk has fact-checked different disinformation surrounding the alleged luxuries of Zelensky, according to which, it turns out he has allegedly spent over one billion dollars intended as aid for the Ukrainian Army.

• New villas, old lies—disinformation about Zelensky circulating once again
• It is not true that Zelensky’s wife bought a Bugatti car worth 4.5 million euros
• No evidence supporting the claim that Zelensky bought a mansion from British King Charles III for 20 million dollars
• Disinformation undermines financial aid to Ukraine 
• Zelensky did not buy two yachts worth 75 million dollars
• Zelensky did not buy a casino in Cyprus

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