A viral video circulating online has been falsely attributed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, showing a male dancer belly dancing on stage. India TV's Fact Check team has debunked this claim, confirming that the video does not feature President Zelenskyy. Instead, it showcases an Argentinian dancer named Pablo Acosta performing a belly dance routine.
A verified user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the video with the caption, "Definition of insanity: This is the man we gave $200,000,000,000 in cash and weapons to, expecting him to beat Putin in a war."
The misleading video has been manipulated using deepfake technology to replace Pablo Acosta's face with that of President Zelenskyy. This digital manipulation has led to the false belief that the Ukrainian President was involved in such a performance.
It's worth noting that prior to entering politics, Zelenskyy had a career in entertainment as a comedian, performer, and actor. This background may have contributed to the credibility of the viral video in the eyes of some viewers.
The video, accompanied by various captions attributing it to Zelenskyy, was widely shared on social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook.
India TV did a fact check
India TV's Fact Check team conducted an investigation, including reverse image searches using keyframes from the viral video. This effort led them to a clearer version of the same video, originally uploaded by the Argentinian dancer Pablo Acosta.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the viral video does not depict President Zelenskyy engaging in a belly dance performance. Instead, it features Pablo Acosta, an Argentinian dancer, and has been manipulated through deepfake technology to falsely attribute it to the Ukrainian President. It underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of viral content, especially when it involves public figures.
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