On February 3, Russian-language accounts (1;2) posted a photo that allegedly shows convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A fabricated image depicting Jeffrey Epstein and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is circulating on Facebook. In reality, the photo has been digitally manipulated, with the Ukrainian President’s face inserted. The original image shows Jeffrey Epstein embracing his former partner and associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The authentic photo, which was later digitally altered by inserting Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s face, actually depicts Jeffrey Epstein and his associate and former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell.

A close comparison of the authentic photo and the fabricated image reveals that the woman’s hand, jewelry, and T-shirt are identical, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s face has been digitally added. Jeffrey Epstein’s clothing and accessories are also identical in both images.
AI or NOT, a tool used to detect AI-manipulated photos and videos, assessed the image as “likely deepfake.”

Similar photofabrications shared by the Russian-language accounts have circulated on other platforms in the past. For example, a comparable image depicting U.S. First Lady Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein was previously shared on X. The photo was fact-checked by the U.S.-based organization Lead Stories.

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