FAKE NEWS: Ukrainian leaders have US citizenship

FAKE NEWS: Ukrainian leaders have US citizenship
© EPA-EFE/SASCHA STEINBACH   |   Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov arrives at the fifth meeting of Ministers of Defense at the US Air Base in Ramstein, Germany, 08 September 2022.

The former Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Oleksii Reznikov, received American citizenship, just like other Kyiv leaders, claims the pro-Russia blogger Dan Diaconu.

The unpatriotic leaders of Ukraine, as portrayed by the Russian propaganda in Romania

NEWS: "Do you remember this citizen? His name is Oleksii Reznikov, former Minister of Defense of Ukraine and a key pawn in the Kyiv corruption system. This guy stole so much that he even annoyed the Porno Dwarf who, in order to convince him to leave, released some corruption files (three of them). From those three files alone, a profit of about $10 million resulted for Reznikov. But these are just small things. Reznikov made serious money from arms trading, which he shared with Zelensky. This is why Zelensky could only remove him "amicably".

You may be interested in knowing what has happened in the meantime: nothing much; Reznikov is now an American citizen. It is known that one-sixth of Ukraine's leadership has American citizenship. Except Reznikov was a little smarter, making himself scarce along with a lot of money. And now he is “officially” living the good life.  That's how it is in this game of war: suckers on the front, profiteers at receptions."

NARRATIVE: Oleksii Reznikov, a former Defense Minister of Ukraine, has been granted US citizenship, the latest in a long line of corrupt leaders from Kyiv that hold dual citizenship.

CONTEXT: Ever since the start of the  Russian-Ukrainian conflict , with the invasion of Crimea in 2014, Russian propaganda has periodically spread disinformation about Ukrainian officials, whether politicians or military, in order to justify its aggression, claiming that is only be meant to secure in Kyiv a  political regime for the benefit of the population. Over time, Moscow has launched several false narratives related to the fact that various Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky, would have received the citizenship of other countries, aiming on the one hand to discredit the Ukrainian government and army, making it look like they do not believe in the victory of Ukraine and are preparing to flee abroad , and on the other hand, to demoralize the population, which is already facing  particularly serious issues, caused by the war.

Dan Diaconu, the one who introduced the narrative in the Romanian information space, claims to be an economic analyst. In reality, he is a pro-Russia blogger, whose site is a conglomeration of conspiracy theories, fake news and disinformation related to most of the current topics (the pandemic, the Covid vaccine, climate change, the Israel-Hamas conflict, etc. .), as well as articles in which Russia is portrayed as a model state and its aggression against Ukraine appreciated. In addition, Diaconu keeps a kind of frontline diary on Telegram, in which he informs his followers about the victories of the Russian army, excessively praising its successes on the battlefield. Moreover, when he announces the conquest and destruction from the foundations of a new Ukrainian town, he speaks of its "liberation". Over time, Diaconu has promoted several false narratives and pieces of disinformation on this topic, such as those in which he claims that  economic partnerships with the US lead to bankruptcy , while trade agreements with Russia ensure prosperity, or that Ukraine is selling its extremely fertile soil to the West . Recently, taking over another false narrative originating in Russia, Dan Diaconu claimed that the SBU, the Security Service of Ukraine, was involved in the attempted assassination of Slovakia’s Prime Minister  Robert Fico.

PURPOSE: To amplify anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian sentiments, to promote an anti-Western discourse, to provoke and enhance social tensions

The Constitution of Ukraine does not allow dual citizenship

WHY THE NARRATIVE IS FALSE: The news that Oleksii Reznikov has allegedly acquired American citizenship initially appeared in the  Russian media space  where it was stated that the announcement had been made on social media by the former minister himself, also claiming that  the information had been also confirmed by the American TV station CNN. A simple check of Reznikov's accounts shows, however, that  the last time he was active on social media was in September 2003 , shortly before his leaving the office of Minister of Defense. Also, if we look at the CNN website, we can see that the latest news about Reznikov was from the same period and related to his dismissal from the Kyiv executive.

As for the allegations of corruption against Oleksii Reznikov, these are mere speculations, aligned with the Russian propaganda messages, which claim that the entire political class in Kyiv is deeply corrupt. Indeed, the media linked the dismissal of the former minister to the corruption scandals that targeted the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, but despite the rumors, until now,  Ukrainian anti-corruption prosecutors have not made any official charge against him.  In reality, Reznikov still lives in Kyiv, and as of January,  he regained his right to practice law , a right he had self-suspended in March 2020, once he joined the government, as Minister of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, with the rank of deputy prime minister. Moreover, since April,  he has been the Director of the Security and Defense Programs with the Ukrainian Institute for the Future .

The narrative according to which several high-ranking officials from Kyiv got a citizenship other than the Ukrainian one is obviously false if we just look at the  Constitution of Ukraine   which stipulates, in article 4, that "in Ukraine there is a single citizenship". The argument that Volodymyr Zelensky has tried several times to change this provision  is also false, as the initiative of the Ukrainian president was based on the desire to reward the citizens of other countries who are fighting for Ukraine and do not want to give up the citizenship of their country of origin, as well as to offer the possibility to foreign citizens with Ukrainian roots to claim, in this way, their national cultural heritage, the measure not being applicable to those who already hold Ukrainian citizenship.

  • Publication / Media:
    DAN DIACONU TELEGRAM CHANNEL
  • Date of publication:
    07/06/2024
  • Target audience:
    ANTI-UKRAINIANS, PRO-RUSSIANS, PUTINISTS, ANTI-WESTERN, ANTI-EUROPEANS
  • Amplification:
    Social media
  • Key narrative:
    UKRAINIAN LEADERS HOLD US CITIZENSHIP
Report
Fake News

Disinformation uses a variety of manipulation tactics. Disinformation stories can easily be created by combining provocative topics.

Report
Other news
FAKE NEWS: The EU integration referendum in Moldova is, in fact, an LGBT referendum

FAKE NEWS: The EU integration referendum in Moldova is, in fact, an LGBT referendum

The success of the referendum regarding the European integration of the Republic of Moldova “may lead to the loss of traditional family values”, according to a false narrative promoted by the party of wanted oligarch Ilan Shor.

EBOOK> Razboi si propaganda: O cronologie a conflictului ruso-ucrainean

EBOOK>Razboiul lui Putin cu lumea libera: Propaganda, dezinformare, fake news

FAKE NEWS: The Jews will develop an AI to censor online content

FAKE NEWS: The Jews will develop an AI to censor online content

The Jews will create an artificial intelligence software that will lead to the extermination of all the peoples of the world, a well-known anti-Semitic and racist publication writes.

DISINFORMATION: The

DISINFORMATION: The "reunification" with Russia brought prosperity to Donbas

According to the pro-Kremlin media, after the reunification of the Donetsk region with Russia by referendum, investors have entered the area and tourism and the economy have been growing.

More
FAKE NEWS: The referendum in the Republic of Moldova seeks to eliminate the opposition
FAKE NEWS: The referendum in the Republic of Moldova seeks to eliminate the opposition

The referendum on EU membership is actually hosted to remove from Parliament opponents of European integration, according to a new false narrative promoted by Russian media.

Veridica
27 Sep 2024
WAR PROPAGANDA: The West wants to destroy Ukraine and the Orthodox Church
WAR PROPAGANDA: The West wants to destroy Ukraine and the Orthodox Church

The West wants to destroy Ukraine by dividing its Church, says the Russian propaganda, quoting a former Ukrainian prime minister, now a fugitive in Russia.

Marin Gherman
25 Sep 2024
FAKE NEWS: Shepherds are no longer allowed to sell their products in Romania
FAKE NEWS: Shepherds are no longer allowed to sell their products in Romania

The Romanian state prohibits small producers from selling their goods outside the area of residence, according to a false narrative promoted by sovereigntists.

Cezar Manu
24 Sep 2024
DISINFORMATION: EU is arming itself to attack Russia just like Nazi Germany did
DISINFORMATION: EU is arming itself to attack Russia just like Nazi Germany did

The EU is Russophobic, supports Nazism in Kyiv and is arming itself to attack Russia, according to a false narrative promoted by pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Marin Gherman
20 Sep 2024
FAKE NEWS: The European Union imposes censorship and the LGBT agenda
FAKE NEWS: The European Union imposes censorship and the LGBT agenda

The European Union imposes censorship and the LGBT agenda, the representatives of the Bulgarian extremist party “Revival” told their like-minded colleagues from the Republic of Moldova.

Veridica
18 Sep 2024
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian soldiers kidnap children in Donbas
WAR PROPAGANDA: Ukrainian soldiers kidnap children in Donbas

According to Russian propaganda, citing a self-proclaimed leader in Donetsk, civilians in eastern Ukraine are hiding their children to avoid being kidnapped by the Ukrainian soldiers.

Marin Gherman
17 Sep 2024