Russian language Facebook accounts (1, 2, 3) as well as Telegram account disseminated a cover of a French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, allegedly from the December 9, 2024 issue.
The caricature depicts several political leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, and a figure resembling Quasimodo (from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) who appears to represent Zelenskyy set against the backdrop of France’s Notre-Dame Cathedral. The caption says: “What does it mean to reopen Notre-Dame without a government?”
The cover on behalf of Charlie Hebdo is Fabricated. The latest issue, number 1690, was published on December 11, and resonates to the recent developments in Syria.
The fabricated version portrays Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Quasimodo, labeled as issue N1690 and dated December 9. However, the authentic cover of Charlie Hebdo issue 1690 was released on December 11 and does not relate to the reopening of Notre Dame. Instead, it features Bashar al-Assad, Ruhollah Khomeini, and Vladimir Putin, reflecting the fall of the government in Syria.
The disseminated caricature about Zelenskyy does not appear on Charlie Hebdo’s official website or its social media accounts, (Instagram, Facebook, X ) either. No previous issues of the publication contain illustrations with similar content.
Additionally, the portrayal of Ukraine’s president as a hunchback could imply an attempt to depict him as weak or powerless.
Disseminating fabricated cover images is a well-known tactic of Russia’s information warfare, aimed at undermining Western support and discrediting Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of Western media outlets. Myth Detector has previously fact-checked numerous fabricated covers from various media sources.
Amina Mammadova
Myth Detector Laboratory
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