The claim: Video shows Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting robot sent to Ukraine by UK
A July 30 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appearing to greet a black and silver robot.
“New leaked footage of a robot sent to Ukraine from UK,” reads text below the video.
The video was shared more than 5,000 times in nine days.
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Our rating: Altered
The video was altered to include the robot. The original video shows then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson meeting Zelenskyy during a trip to Ukraine in 2022.
Video of Johnson meeting Zelenskyy edited to include robot
The video is an edited clip of a broadcast by Sky News, a British news channel, showing Johnson visiting Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city, on April 9, 2022.
Johnson was the U.K.’s prime minister from July 2019 to September 2022. He was replaced by Liz Truss, who resigned after 45 days in office and was subsequently replaced by Rishi Sunak, the country’s current prime minister.
The edited version of the video was originally posted on TikTok by an account that has since been deleted. The account’s description read, “Showing the world how AI+ Robots will change our world.”
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There are other signs the video is edited. The audio wasn’t changed, so Johnson’s voice can still be heard throughout the edited clip. The background blurs around the robot several times, particularly when it’s shown standing in front of a U.K. flag.
A news release from the U.K. government announcing Johnson’s visit includes a photo of him shaking hands with Zelenskyy, who is wearing the same clothes as in the edited video. It also shows the same man who appeared to be walking with the robot.
Johnson’s trip was widely reported on at the time, with multiple news outlets publishing videos and photos of him meeting Zelenskyy in the same setting as the edited video – outside Ukraine’s presidential administration building.
USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Reuters also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
- Sky News, April 9, 2022, Ukraine War: Boris Johnson welcomed to Kyiv by Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Animatronic3D, June 26, TikTok
- GOV.UK, April 9, 2022, Prime Minister pledges UK’s unwavering support to Ukraine on visit to Kyiv
- USA TODAY, April 10, 2022, Zelenskyy hopes for peace despite Russian attacks on civilians; Boris Johnson visits Kyiv
- Washington Post, April 10, 2022, Zelensky praises Boris Johnson’s support on sanctions, aid after surprise visit
- New York Times, April 9, 2022, Boris Johnson visits Kyiv, as Britain promises Ukraine armored vehicles and anti-ship weapons
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