Ukrainian President Denies Rumors that His Family Fled to Italy
The Claim
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's family has fled the country as the Russian invasion approaches.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts have been circulating alleged news since Feb. 14 of the family of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy having left the country as the possible Russian invasion draws nearer. Some accounts mentioned in the claim that the president’s family has fled to Italy.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s team investigated the circulated claim and found it fake. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy already denied the rumors when asked in a press conference with German chancellor Olaf Scholz about the whereabouts of his family. The Ukrainian president answered that his family is always with him in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also appeared in a video clip he shared on his Instagram profile on Feb. 15, as he celebrated Valentine’s Day with his wife.
The Ukrainian president also shared another photo with his wife on his Instagram account on Feb. 16, celebrating the Day of Unity.
On Wednesday, Ukrainians celebrate Unity Day, declared by president Zelensky, which included the raising of flags by the authorities and residents of the capital Kyiv in a symbolic act of resistance to the Russian threat.
Weeks ago, Western countries expressed concern about the risks of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine after Moscow amassed tens of thousands of soldiers at the Ukrainian border and conducted several military exercises.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
