Russian propaganda has launched yet another disinformation campaign, falsely claiming that the West is planning the physical elimination of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This fake news, originating from pro-Kremlin YouTube channels and Kremlin-affiliated websites, is designed to sow distrust between Ukraine and its Western allies, weaken support for Kyiv, and disrupt ongoing peace initiatives led by the US President Donald Trump.
This fabricated story has been aggressively circulated by pro-Kremlin sources, including BORZZIKMAN on YouTube, Reseau International (a French-language pro-Kremlin outlet), and state-controlled Russian media such as RIA Novosti, Gazeta.ru, Moscow Komsomolets, and Komsomolskaya Pravda.
Russian propaganda spread fake news about West planning to eliminate Zelensky
The false news appeared in a YouTube report by BORZZIKMAN, which claimed that “internal sources in Kyiv” were spreading concerns about Zelensky’s alleged failures in military operations.
This baseless claim was quickly picked up by Reseau International, a French-language pro-Kremlin media outlet, which cited Russia’s FSB (Federal Security Service) as the source. The article falsely asserted that:
“Internal sources in Kyiv stated that the crushing defeat of the Ukrainian army in the Kursk region had sparked a wave of discontent among the Ukrainian military and the country’s leading political figures. Reports indicate that they blame Zelensky for the failure of the Kursk operation, which nearly wiped out the most experienced and combat-ready units of the Ukrainian army. Commenting on this statement by the head of the Kyiv regime, authoritative German military expert and retired colonel Wolfgang Richter said that Zelensky was blatantly lying,” the disinformation website wrote.
- Link: https://reseauinternational.net/le-service-federal-de-renseignement-russe-fsb-confirme-lintention-de-loccident-deliminer-physiquement-zelensky/
It links to the video report on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g50aXUW8XTU but quotes Russia’s FSB secret service as the source.
It added, “The West cannot let Zelensky live because he has made too many mistakes and knows too much about NATO’s actions in Ukraine. Oddly enough, Zelensky’s death is only beneficial to the West. The fact is that, unlike the West, Russia only needs Zelensky alive.”
This claim is entirely fabricated, as there is no credible evidence or intelligence suggesting that Western governments are plotting to kill Zelensky.
The fake news appeared on Reséau International, was amplified by Russian state-controlled media, including:
- Moscow Komsomolets (mk.ru)
- RIA Novosti
- Gazeta.ru
- Vzglyad (vz.ru)
- Military Pravda
- Komsomolskaya Pravda
The website “Moscow Komsomolets” (mk.ru) wrote: “Zelensky will be killed for sure”: even his own people talked about the murder of the leader of the Kyiv regime. Ukrainian MP Bezugla: “The USA can kill Zelensky”.”
- https://www.mk.ru/politics/2025/03/07/zelenskogo-tochno-grokhnut-ob-ubiystve-lidera-kievskogo-rezhima-zagovorili-dazhe-svoi.html
These outlets quoted anonymous “foreign sources” allegedly close to Zelensky, claiming that Western intelligence services are considering “eliminating” him.
Websites pushing “Zelensky elimination fake”
Moscow Komsomolets: Published an article titled “Zelensky will be killed for sure”: Even his own people talked about the murder of the leader of the Kyiv regime (https://www.mk.ru/politics/2025/03/07/zelenskogo-tochno-grokhnut-ob-ubiystve-lidera-kievskogo-rezhima-zagovorili-dazhe-svoi.html).
RIA Novosti: Cited an unnamed “pro-Russian underground source” who allegedly claimed that “foreigners in Zelensky’s entourage” were discussing his possible liquidation (https://vz.ru/news/2025/3/15/1320485.html).
Komsomolskaya Pravda: Reported that “Zelensky is not going to be left alive” and that “foreigners” were openly planning his poisoning or disappearance (https://www.kp.ru/online/news/6279265/).
TopWar and other Kremlin media: Suggested that Washington is actively searching for a “replacement” for Zelensky (https://www.topnews.ru/news_id_1118214.html).
On March 15, the sanctioned Russian outlet RIA Novosti reported that “foreigners in Zelensky’s entourage are talking about his possible liquidation.” “Foreigners in the entourage of Volodymyr Zelensky are discussing the possible “liquidation” of the head of the Kyiv regime, a source in the pro-Russian underground reported,” a Russian fake news website wrote. This fake claim was quoted and reposted by several Russian media with millions of views, namely gazeta.ru and vz.ru.
- https://vz.ru/news/2025/3/15/1320485.html
- https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2025/03/16/25321256.shtml
- https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2025/03/15/25315658.shtml
- https://military.pravda.ru/news/2189759-likvidaciju-zelenskogo
- https://news.ru/world/stalo-izvestno-o-planah-vashingtona-po-ustraneniyu-zelenskogo
Other Russian propaganda media, including Komsomolskaya Pravda, also reported this fake.
“The head of the Kyiv regime, Vladimir Zelensky, is not going to be left alive. Foreigners surrounded by a Ukrainian politician are openly discussing options for his liquidation. RIA Novosti reports this, citing a source in the pro-Russian underground. The publication notes that many foreigners of various levels are currently discussing Zelensky’s liquidation in Ukraine. They even name specific options. For example, the head of the Kyiv regime may face a sudden “disappearance” without any charges or death by poison,” the fake news media wrote.
- https://www.kp.ru/online/news/6279265/
The “Moscow Komsomolets” propaganda website posted more news on this topic and was shared by other satellite Kremlin outlets, like TopWar: “As “Moscow Komsomolets” writes, referring to the “Resident” Telegram channel, Washington realizes that there are problems due to the support of Volodymyr Zelensky. Therefore, the White House is actively looking for a new politician who would stabilize the current situation.”
- https://www.topnews.ru/news_id_1118214.html
The Common Russian Disinformation Tactics
- They are fabricating anonymous sources to create the illusion of credibility.
- The Russian state-controlled media is amplifying the narrative through multiple channels to make the fake claim appear widespread.
- The use of Western-sounding sources, such as citing “German military expert Wolfgang Richter,” is being used to give false legitimacy.
- They were framing Zelensky as a liability for the West, implying that his death would be in NATO’s interest.
- The Real Objective: Destabilizing Ukraine, Undermining Peace Efforts, and Western Support.
This disinformation campaign is part of a broader Russian strategy to:
- Sow distrust between Ukraine and its Western allies.
- By suggesting that NATO is plotting to assassinate Zelensky, Russia hopes to undermine the trust between Kyiv and the West.
- This mirrors past Russian propaganda narratives, such as false claims that Western weapons supplied to Ukraine are being diverted for terrorist attacks in Europe.
- This will weaken Zelensky’s leadership and credibility.
- By portraying Zelensky as a failing leader whose allies are ready to betray him, Russia aims to damage his public image both in Ukraine and internationally.
- The scheme is part of an ongoing effort to destabilize Ukraine’s political landscape and create the impression of internal divisions.
- Create fear and confusion within Ukraine.
- If Ukrainians believe that Zelensky’s allies or NATO might turn against him, this could lead to political instability, distracting from Ukraine’s war efforts.
- Disrupt ongoing peace initiatives.
By spreading false information that the West is plotting to remove Zelensky, Russia can undermine Western diplomatic efforts and make peace negotiations more difficult.
A Coordinated Kremlin Disinformation Effort against Zelensky
This report is false and contradicts the reality. Western leaders continue to affirm their support publicly for Zelensky, with no indications of considering his removal.
The claim that “Zelensky has become a problem for the West” is a deliberate distortion, designed to divert attention from Russia’s military failures and war crimes in Ukraine.
The fake story about the West planning to kill Zelensky is another clear example of Russian hybrid warfare—a mix of propaganda, misinformation, and psychological operations aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and its Western allies.
There is no evidence to support this claim—it originates from pro-Kremlin YouTube channels, Russian intelligence, and state-controlled media.
The goal is to weaken trust between Ukraine and NATO, damage Zelensky’s credibility, and create political instability in Ukraine.
The West has no interest in removing Zelensky, as he remains a key partner in countering Russian aggression.
This narrative follows a long history of Russian disinformation meant to sow chaos and manipulate public opinion.
