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False Claim: Zelenskyy Purchased French Hotel
A false claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy purchased the Palace des Neiges hotel in Courchevel, France for €88 million has been widely spread on social media; however, Monte-Carlo Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM) confirmed their purchase of the hotel in October 2023, planning to reopen it in December 2026 after renovations.
- Who actually purchased the Palace des Neiges hotel, and what are the verifiable facts concerning this acquisition?
- The Palace des Neiges hotel in Courchevel, France, was recently acquired by Monte-Carlo Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM) in October 2023, not by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. SBM plans to renovate the hotel, reopening in December 2026. This contradicts a widely circulated social media video falsely claiming Zelenskyy purchased the hotel for €88 million.
- How was disinformation spread to link the hotel purchase to President Zelenskyy, and what techniques were employed?
- A fabricated video and website, created in late November 2024, falsely linked Zelenskyy to the hotel purchase. Disinformation actors added "hotel" to the real hotel website URL and created a fake site to support this claim. The false claim has been shared over 27,000 times across multiple social media platforms.
- What are the broader implications of this disinformation campaign on the perception of President Zelenskyy and international support for Ukraine?
- This disinformation campaign aims to undermine support for Ukraine by portraying Zelenskyy as corrupt and wealthy, thereby damaging his image as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. The timing and method suggest a deliberate attempt to influence public opinion and weaken international solidarity with Ukraine.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the false claim as a deliberate act of Russian propaganda targeting Zelenskyy. The headline and opening paragraphs immediately establish this narrative, emphasizing the disinformation campaign and its goal of undermining support for Ukraine. While this is a valid point, the framing might overshadow other aspects of the story, such as the technical details of how the fake website was created, or the speed at which the disinformation spread. The focus on the malicious intent could unintentionally reinforce existing biases among readers.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual. However, terms like "disinformation actors" and "Russian propaganda narrative" carry a negative connotation and might influence the reader's interpretation. More neutral terms such as "individuals spreading false information" or "information campaign" could be considered. The repeated reference to the claim as "false" reinforces its falsity but reduces the nuanced view of how false information spreads.
Bias by Omission
The article omits mention of potential counter-narratives or alternative explanations for the spread of the false claim about Zelenskyy purchasing the hotel. It focuses heavily on the disinformation campaign without exploring other factors that might contribute to its rapid dissemination, such as pre-existing biases among the audience.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a clear dichotomy between truth and falsehood, potentially overlooking the complexities of disinformation campaigns. It implies that the only relevant interpretation is that the claim is entirely false and part of a Russian propaganda effort, without exploring the possibility of unintentional spread or misinterpretations.