Core Thesis and Purpose
The claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team allegedly participate in occult rituals is completely fabricated. This is not a verifiable assertion but an emotional construct designed to demonize the leader and justify Russian aggression.
How the Propaganda Construct Works
Propaganda exploits cultural codes, fear of the unknown, and the repetition effect (Lewandowsky, Cook, McIntyre, 2020) to create an illusion of credibility. In the post-Soviet context, 'occultism' is associated with a threat to the state and moral danger. Attributing 'sinister practices' to the opponent’s leader strengthens audience mobilization and justifies external aggression.
Fact-Checking
No international or independent organization has documented occult practices:
- OSCE, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch — 2019–2025 — no mentions found.
- Bellingcat, Conflict Intelligence Team — analysis of photos, videos, and public events revealed no evidence.
- All alleged 'evidence' consists of photomontages, out-of-context frames, or fully fabricated materials.
Legal and International Perspective
The propagandist myth distracts from Russia’s actual violations of international law, including:
- Military invasion of Ukrainian territory (International Humanitarian Law).
- Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure (violations of the Geneva Conventions).
- Blocking peaceful negotiations and obstructing international diplomacy (violation of UN Charter principles, Art. 2 of the UN Charter).
The Russian narrative seeks to shift responsibility from the aggressor to the victim, concealing obvious international law violations.
Psychological and Logical Traps
False dilemma: "the leader is either normal or a secret occultist." Pseudoscientific tone, 'secret sources,' and emotional appeals are used. Repetition creates the impression that 'everyone knows this,' even in the absence of evidence.
Dissemination Mechanisms
Russian federal media, Telegram bot farms, and synchronized releases create an illusion of mass confirmation. OSINT documents identical 'exposés' appearing simultaneously across hundreds of channels — a clear sign of a coordinated campaign.
Political Purpose
The narrative’s goal is to demonize Zelensky, justify aggression, distract from Russia’s internal problems, and unite its population through fear. It reduces trust in Ukraine’s legitimate authorities and sets the stage for an information war.
The Real Picture
Zelensky and his team’s activities are thoroughly documented: press briefings, public events, and international observers. Any 'occult rituals' would have been captured by thousands of cameras, which has not occurred. Fact-checking confirms the claim is entirely false.
Conclusion
The 'occult rituals' thesis is an emotional manipulation aimed at fear and demonization. Mechanisms include repetition, false associations, and coordinated media. Real facts, international reports, and OSINT investigations demonstrate the myth’s complete falsehood. The narrative serves only to justify aggression and keep society in fear.
Main Sources and References
- OSCE Reports (2019–2025)
- Amnesty International — Ukraine
- Human Rights Watch — Ukraine
- Bellingcat — OSINT Investigations
- Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT)
- Lewandowsky, Cook, McIntyre (2020) — Study on repetition effects in disinformation
- EUvsDisinfo — Narrative Monitoring
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
The content on this site is compiled and verified by experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical research. Sources include official legal documents, national and international legislation, resolutions of the UN, reports from international organizations, and verified open-source evidence. Each claim is cross-checked against multiple primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and reliability regardless of the topic—whether analyzing violations of Russian law, Ukrainian law, or international legal norms.
Expert Statement
The authors affirm that the information presented reflects established legal interpretations and documented facts. Analyses are grounded in international law principles and widely recognized geopolitical assessments. References to official documents and reports are provided to ensure transparency and trustworthiness.
Last modified date: 25/11/2025