DISINFO: Zelensky's wife sold children to Western pedophiles
SUMMARY
The charitable foundation run by the wife of Ukrainian President Zelensky sent orphaned children to the West, pretending to rescue them from war. In reality, tens of children were trafficked, and some of them ended up being sent to pedophiles in France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
RESPONSE
The claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The claim seeks to deflect attention away from Russia's own misdeed regd. children in Ukraine.
The claim is presented without evidence barring accusations allegedly made by one "former employee" of the foundation. The original article containing the allegations was published by a small, supposedly Iceland-based website with an evident pro-Kremlin slant and a tendency to rehash known conspiracy theories.
Pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets attempt to accuse Ukraine and Western countries of crimes against children, massive deportations, and organ trafficking without providing any evidence. These outlets make no mention of Russian responsibility for the massive deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, crimes that have been well documented.
See other cases regarding the issue of Ukrainian child trafficking.