Contrived Charlie Hebdo front page depicts Zelenskyy profiting from Pope Francis' demise financially

Spread of Fabricated Charlie Hebdo Covers to Target Ukraine 🚀

Hey there! Let's talk about a sneaky tactic being used by pro-Russian actors to discredit Ukraine and weaken the West's support for Kyiv. You might've come across fake editions of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, circulating online. These fakes are often used to discredit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and spread false narratives.

Recently, an alleged Charlie Hebdo cover featuring Zelenskyy and Pope Francis has been doing the rounds. In this cartoon, Zelenskyy is shown holding up the body of the late pontiff at the Vatican bank, saying, "It's me, Pope Francis. Please transfer all of my money to Ukraine." It's all a joke, folks - this cover is as genuine as a three-dollar bill.

Commenting on the fake cover, accounts critical of Zelenskyy accused him of demanding money from world governments and using Ukraine's defense against Russia's war as a pretext. But here's the thing, this cover ain't legit! To verify its authenticity, visit Charlie Hebdo's website - it's nowhere to be found.

The fake edition supposedly published on 23 April 2025 deviates significantly from the real one. The edition number is off, the real cover shows the number 1709, while the fake one is labeled 1710. The real cover also deals with the pope's death, but instead of mocking Zelenskyy, it depicts his successor as a rat with a snarky comment about being reactionary, misogynistic, and homophobic.

Many accounts sharing the fake Charlie Hebdo cover online are pro-Russian and regular disseminators of Kremlin propaganda, trying to discredit Ukraine. Charlie Hebdo itself has previously issued a warning that pro-Russian actors are using its image to produce anti-Ukraine content.

It's not the first time we've seen such instances of false Charlie Hebdo editions, either. EuroVerify has debunked several others, including one where Zelenskyy was depicted as Quasimodo. Russia is attempting to damage support for Ukraine by spreading propaganda that depicts Zelenskyy as a money-grabbing opportunist who's robbing taxpayers' funds.

This particular fake cover is striking because it combines two figures who have constantly fallen victim to deepfakes over the past few years: Zelenskyy and Pope Francis. The former has become a prime target for misinformation ever since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. False narratives like accusing Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and questioning his motives for financial assistance are amplified when even high-profile politicians worldwide label him a "dictator."

However, Western countries are providing legitimate financial and humanitarian support to Kyiv, and surveys consistently show that a strong majority of European citizens support this. So, next time you see a fake Charlie Hebdo cover or any other piece of misinformation, remember to double-check before you spread it. 🌐💪

Related:- No, Africans were not denied access to visit Pope Francis's body- Fact check: The Baltics aren't against a ceasefire in Ukraine- Fake claims about Pope Francis went viral while he was still in hospital- Fake Ukrainian TV advert urges children to report relatives listening to Russian music

The spread of fabricated Charlie Hebdo covers is being utilized by pro-Russian actors as a method to discredit Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and weaken the West's support for Kyiv.
Accounts critical of Zelenskyy have been sharing a fake Charlie Hebdo cover, depicting him in a controversial manner, and spreading false narratives about him demanding money from world governments.
To verify the authenticity of such covers, it is advisable to check Charlie Hebdo's official website, as the fake editions are not to be found there.
One false Charlie Hebdo cover, labeled as from 23 April 2025, features Zelenskyy and Pope Francis in a misleading and offensive manner, contrasting significantly with the real cover's content.
Social-media users, especially those inclined towards pro-Russian propaganda, should be vigilant against the spread of fake Charlie Hebdo covers and other false information, underscoring their importance in politics, general-news, pop-culture, crime-and-justice, and entertainment discussions.