lucky me yacht ukraine

FACT CHECK: No, Zelenskyy Did Not Buy Two Mega-Yachts

Verdict: False

There is no evidence Zelenskyy has bought two yachts.

Fact Check:

Social media users are spreading claims that Zelenskyy bought two yachts for $75 million. One user asked “were’d [sic] he get the money?” implying that the money came from aid from the U.S. or other countries.

This claim, however, lacks evidence. If Zelenskyy had bought yachts, media outlets would have covered it, yet none have . A wider internet search also did not yield any results.

It appears that this post is based on a similar claim that says Zelenskyy bought two yachts, the “My Legacy” and “Lucky Me” for $75 million. The broker companies that are selling the yachts confirmed to multiple journalists, such as BBC Verify reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh, that the yachts are still for sale.

Viral claims by pro-Kremlin users about President Zelensky buying two yachts, “My Legacy” and “Lucky Me” for $75m, are totally false. Broker companies Behnemar and Burgess confirmed to @O_Rob1nson and me that the yachts haven’t been sold and are currently up for sale. pic.twitter.com/9WJsgLROBq — Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) November 30, 2023

“Viral claims by pro-Kremlin users about President Zelensky buying two yachts, “My Legacy” and “Lucky Me” for $75m, are totally false. Broker companies Behnemar and Burgess confirmed to @O_Rob1nson and me that the yachts haven’t been sold and are currently up for sale,” Sardarizadeh tweeted .

Other versions of the claim appear to use altered documents to support the falsehood, according to Open . The broker companies denied that the documents were authentic, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Video Claiming To Show Houthi Rebels Hijacking Israel Cargo Ship Is Miscaptioned)

Elias Atienza

Senior reporter.

No, Ukraine President Zelenskyy did not buy two mega-yachts worth $75 million

December 1 2023

The Verdict False

The two exclusive listing companies for the two yachts confirmed that they have not been sold. There is no credible evidence to support the claim.

What is the claim?

Social media users are circulating a video claiming that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently purchased two yachts, ‘Lucky Me’ and ‘My Legacy,’ worth $75 million, allegedly funded by U.S. and EU financial aid. This claim, based on a NewsBreak article, gained traction after pro-Kremlin conspiracists Clayton and Natali Morris featured it on their YouTube show "Redacted."

However, the two exclusive listing companies for the two yachts — Burgess Yachts and BehneMar — have confirmed to Logically Facts that the yachts have not been sold and are currently on sale.

What did we find?

BehneMar, which has listed 'Lucky Me,' told Logically Facts, “Statements that BehneMar sold the motor yacht 'Lucky Me' are totally wrong and false. We can confirm that the yacht has not been sold and is still for sale with BehneMar as the exclusive listing company.”

Similarly, a representative from Burgess Yachts told Logically Facts, “Burgess can confirm that 'My Legacy' is currently for sale with Burgess as the exclusive listing brokerage house. We can confirm that the yacht has not been sold and, therefore, remains for sale.” The yachts are also on sale on the Burgess Yachts and BehneMar websites. 

The NewsBreak article that claims President Zelenskyy purchased the two yachts through close associates, Boris and Serhiy Shefir, is based on data collected from an 'independent journalistic investigation.' It states that the Shefir brothers bought the yachts a few days apart in Abu Dhabi and the French city of Antibes in October 2023.

The evidence provided in the article is in the form of purchase documents with dates, prices of the yachts, and the names of the two Shefir brothers. The rest of the document is blackened out and provides no further information on the claimed purchase.

The documents are not authentic contracts of sale of the two yachts in question, as they are yet to be sold. 

Media Bias Fact Check website MBFC lists NewsBreak as a questionable source with low credibility. We found no credible coverage of Zelenskyy’s alleged purchase from reliable sources or reports to support this claim. 

Ukraine has received an unprecedented amount of financial aid from the EU and the U.S. since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. These transactions are closely monitored and audited, making any misspending by Ukraine severely strenuous or the result of significant oversight. There is no such expenditure on yachts reported anywhere.

The U.S. Department of Defence, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development provide oversight under the Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for Ukraine Response. The State Audit Service of Ukraine signed an administrative cooperation arrangement with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in March 2023, continuing their collaboration. The agreement obliges Ukraine to facilitate OLAF’s access to relevant financial management documents and information financed partly or in whole by the EU. 

Logically Facts has previously debunked similar false claims about President Zelenskyy , his net worth, and the use of Western aid in Ukraine  that have been circulating online since Russia's invasion.

The verdict

There is no evidence to support the claim that President Zelenskyy bought two yachts called ‘Lucky Me’ and ‘My Legacy’ via proxies. The document cited in the News Break article is fabricated, as the two yachts in question are still listed for sale, as confirmed to Logically Facts by the listing companies. Therefore, we marked the claim as false.

Reference Links

Burgess Yachts

Media Bias/Fact Check

Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for Ukraine Response

State Audit Service of Ukraine

Logically Facts

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Luxury yachts and other myths: How Republican lawmakers echo Russian propaganda

Two senior Republican lawmakers, the chairs of the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees, say their colleagues are echoing Russian state propaganda against Ukraine.

Researchers who study disinformation say Reps. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, are merely acknowledging what has been clear for some time: Russian propaganda aimed at undermining U.S. and European support for Ukraine has steadily seeped into America’s political conversation over the past decade, taking on a life of its own.

McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Puck News he thinks “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base.”

Turner, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told CNN that anti-Ukraine messages from Russia are “being uttered on the House floor.”

For the past decade, since Russia’s first military incursion into Ukraine in 2014, Moscow has spread propaganda and disinformation in a bid to undercut U.S. and European military support for Ukraine, according to U.S. and Western officials.

Some of the arguments, distortions and falsehoods spread by Russia have taken root, mostly among right-wing pro-Trump outlets and Republican politicians, researchers say, including that Ukraine’s government is too corrupt to benefit from Western aid and that the Biden family has alleged corrupt ties to Ukraine.

Russia, in keeping with traditional propaganda techniques, seeks to make its case and tarnish Ukraine through a mixture of outright falsehoods, half-truths, inferences or simply amplifying and promoting arguments already being made by American or European commentators and politicians, researchers say.

The propaganda is sometimes spread covertly, through fake online accounts, or openly by Russian officials and state media. As a result, the origin of some allegations or criticisms is often opaque, especially when a certain accusation or perception has gained wide acceptance, leaving no clear fingerprints.

Early in the war, a false story boosted by Russian propaganda — that the U.S. had helped Ukraine build biological weapons labs — gained traction on right-wing social media and was touted by then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Russia also is conducting a parallel propaganda campaign in Europe. Belgium’s prime minister said Thursday that his government is investigating alleged Russian bribes to members of the European Parliament as part of Moscow’s campaign to undermine support for Ukraine. Czech law enforcement officials last month alleged that a former pro-Russian member of Ukraine’s parliament, Viktor Medvedchuk, was behind a Prague-based Russian propaganda network designed to promote opposition to aiding Ukraine.

Here are some examples of Republican lawmakers using arguments often promoted by Russian propaganda:

Buying yachts

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with members of Congress behind closed doors in December to appeal for more U.S. help for his country’s troops, some lawmakers raised questions about Ukraine allegedly buying yachts with American aid money.

Zelenskyy made clear that was not the case, according to Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a strong supporter of arming Ukraine. “I think the notion of corruption came up because some have said we can’t do it, because people will buy yachts with the money,” Tillis told CNN. “[Zelenskyy] disabused people of those notions.”

Where did the yacht rumor come from?

Pro-Russian actors and websites promoted a narrative alleging Zelenskyy bought two superyachts with U.S. aid dollars. One Russia-based propaganda site, DC Weekly , published a story last November that included photos of two luxury yachts, called Lucky Me and My Legacy , which it alleged were bought for $75 million.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a vocal opponent of military aid to Ukraine, in November retweeted a post about the alleged yacht purchase from the Strategic Culture Foundation, a Russian-based propaganda outlet directed by Russia’s intelligence services, according to the Treasury Department. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the organization, accusing it of spreading disinformation and interfering in U.S. elections.

Another outspoken critic of aid to Ukraine, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, also made a similar claim.

In a December interview with former President Donald Trump’s White House adviser Steve Bannon, Vance claimed that members of Congress wanted to cut Social Security benefits to provide more aid to Ukraine, and that money would allegedly be used for Zelenskyy’s ministers to “buy a bigger yacht.”

“There are people who would cut Social Security, throw our grandparents into poverty. Why? So that one of Zelenskyy’s ministers can buy a bigger yacht?” Vance said. “Kiss my ass, Steve. It’s not happening.”

The tale of Zelenskyy’s luxury yacht, however, turned out to be totally false . The yachts cited in the DC Weekly article remain up for sale , the owners told The Associated Press.

Two academics at Clemson University, disinformation researchers Darren Linvill and Patrick Warren, found that DC Weekly ran numerous stories copied from other sites that were rewritten by artificial intelligence engines. The articles had bylines with fake names along with headshots copied from other online sites. DC Weekly appeared to be a Russian effort to launder false information through a seemingly legitimate news site as part of an attempt to undermine U.S. support for Ukraine, according to the researchers .

Asked by reporters about Vance’s comments, Tillis said: “I think it’s bullshit. ...If you’re talking about giving money to Ukrainian ministers — total and unmitigated bullshit.”

Greene’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Vance’s spokesperson said the senator was making a rhetorical point about how he opposed sending U.S. assistance to what he sees as a corrupt country, but was not asserting the yacht stories online were accurate.

Vance’s office referred NBC News to an earlier response to the BBC on the same topic:

“For years, everyone in the West recognized that Ukraine was one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Somehow everyone forgot that just as we started sending them billions of dollars in foreign aid.”

Enabling ‘corruption’

Russian state media for years has painted Ukraine as deeply corrupt, and has argued that the U.S. and its allies are wasting money and military hardware by assisting such an allegedly corrupt government.

“This is absolutely a line that they have pushed, and then once it appears in the Western ecosystem, other [Russian] media picks it up and it gets recycled back,” said Bret Schafer, a senior fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy.

This line of argument has gained traction partly because Ukraine does face a genuine corruption problem.

Russia’s effort to focus attention on corruption in Ukraine reflects a long-established propaganda method of using facts or partial truths to anchor a broader assertion or accusation, sometimes making a leap in logic, Schafer and other researchers said. Russia’s message amounts to: Ukraine is corrupt, therefore U.S. and Western aid will be stolen and wasted.

Schafer said it was ironic for Russia, a country mired in corruption and kleptocracy, to be leveling accusations about corruption.

Republican Rep. Mary Miller has said she strongly opposes more assistance for Ukraine because it amounts to sending cash to “corrupt oligarchs.”

“With Zelensky coming to DC this week to ask for more money, I will continue to vote AGAINST sending your tax $$ to corrupt oligarchs in Ukraine for a proxy war that could have ended in ‘22,” Miller wrote in a post on X in December.

The Illinois lawmaker also echoed another assertion that often appears in Russian media, that the Biden administration allegedly undermined efforts by Russia to avoid war with Ukraine.

 “A peace deal was on the table that [Ukraine] and [Russia] were both ready to sign, but Biden said NO,” she wrote.

There was in fact no proposed peace agreement that Russia and Ukraine were prepared to sign before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to U.S. and European officials. As Russian troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Western governments urged Russia not to invade and warned there would be economic and diplomatic consequences.

Reuters has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a possible deal to avert a war that had been discussed with Kyiv by Russia’s envoy to Ukraine. The Kremlin said the report was inaccurate and has said Russia tried for years to arrive at an understanding with Ukraine.

As for corruption in Ukraine, Zelenskyy has vowed to tackle the problem, sacking senior officials in some recent cases. But some civil society groups have criticized his approach and Ukrainians say corruption is the country’s second-most serious problem, after the Russian invasion, according to a poll conducted last year.

In an annual survey, Transparency International said Ukraine made progress toward addressing the issue and now ranks 104th out of 180 countries on its Corruption Perceptions Index , climbing 12 places up from its previous ranking.

Ukraine is not alone among countries that receive U.S. and other foreign aid but struggle with corruption. Supporters of assisting Ukraine argue it would undermine America’s influence in the world and its humanitarian efforts if Washington withheld foreign aid from every country where there were reports of corruption.

Miller’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The Biden family and Ukraine

Republicans have repeatedly alleged that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter have corrupt ties to Ukraine, and that they sought $5 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma to protect the firm from an investigation by Ukraine’s prosecutor general.

There is no credible evidence for the allegations. A key source for the accusations against the Bidens is a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who was arrested in February on federal charges of fabricating the bribery claims. Smirnov says he was fed information by Russian intelligence.

Republicans had heavily promoted Smirnov’s allegations against the Bidens, seeing them as crucial to a planned impeachment effort against the president that has since fizzled .

“In my estimation, that is probably the clearest example of Russian propaganda working its way into the American political system,” said Emerson Brooking, a resident senior fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council.

GOP Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona cited the false bribery allegations in expressing his opposition to providing assistance to Ukraine.

“In exchange for … bribe money from Ukraine, Joe Biden has dished out over $100 billion in taxpayer money to fund the war in Ukraine. I will not assist this corruption by sending more money to the authoritarian Ukrainian regime,” Gosar said in a statement in October.

Gosar’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. 

Syedah Asghar is a Capitol Hill researcher for NBC News and is based in Washington, D.C.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, attends a joint press conference with Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd after a meeting in Kehrsatz near Bern, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP)

Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy use US aid to buy yachts? No, that’s False

If your time is short.

The documents claiming to show the yacht purchases were fabricated. They include an outdated name and logo of a yacht association that supposedly approved the purchases.

The two yachts named in the documents, "Lucky Me" and "My Legacy," are still for sale.

• No spin, just facts you can trust. Here’s how we do it.

In the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States has sent Ukraine more than $75 billion in military and humanitarian aid. But some social media users are claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is misusing the funds.

A Feb. 19 Instagram post shared an excerpt from a Nov. 27 episode of the "Redacted" podcast in which co-host Clayton Morris said Zelenskyy "somehow managed to buy two multimillion-dollar yachts … totaling $75 million." (Redacted removed this episode from its YouTube and Facebook accounts. Copies and a transcript of the video are still available online.)

Morris cited documents that he said showed Zelenskyy purchased two luxury yachts, "Lucky Me" and "My Legacy," in October 2023 using two associates as proxies.

"Americans, of course, are paying for this luxury, though. Your tax dollars, so Zelenskyy can live in luxury," said Morris, who has previously shared false claims about Zelenskyy, including that he was becoming a U.S. citizen .

The Instagram post’s caption said, "It’s a good thing that we’re able to give the president of the #Ukraine #billions of dollars to buy these #yachts and live an extravagant lifestyle. I mean, to fight a #war against #Russia."

(Screengrab from Instagram)

The post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta , which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

The purchase documents are inauthentic as they include outdated information. The yachts purportedly bought by Zelenskyy’s associates are still for sale.

The documents are titled "Memorandum of Agreement approved by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association." However, the organization that supposedly approved this 2023 sale changed its name to MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association in 2008. MYBA also uses a different logo now than the one shown on the documents.

Featured Fact-check

A blank version of MYBA’s memorandum of agreement document from 2005 is available to download for free online.

The two yachts were supposedly purchased by Boris and Serhiy Shefir, close friends and business partners of Zelenskyy’s. Before Zelenskyy was elected Ukraine’s president in 2019, he and the Shefir brothers worked together at the film production company Kvartal 95 Studio.

Boris Shefir supposedly purchased the yacht called "Lucky Me" for $24.9 million on Oct. 18, 2023, one of the documents says. However, as of Feb. 21, the luxury yacht company BehneMar still listed the yacht for sale for 19 million euros, or about $20.5 million U.S. dollars.

A week after Boris Shefir’s purported purchase, Serhiy Shefir supposedly purchased the  "My Legacy" yacht for $49.75 million on Oct. 25, 2023, the other document says. However, as of Feb. 21, this yacht was also still listed for sale for about 45 million euros, or about $48 million U.S. dollars.

Although these purchases were fabricated, Zelenskyy’s financial relationship with Boris and Serhiy Shefir has been called into question in the past.

In 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that a month before Zelenskyy was elected president, he transferred previously undisclosed shares in an offshore company, Maltex Multicapital Corp., to Serhiy Shefir, who later joined Zelenskyy’s administration. Boris Shefir was also a part-owner of Maltex, but he said he was unaware of the offshore arrangement, the nonprofit Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project reported at the time.

Multiple government agencies and hundreds of personnel are overseeing the U.S. aid sent to Ukraine. Experts told PolitiFact in February 2023 that there are checks in place to prevent misuse, such as funneling economic aid through the World Bank and humanitarian aid through nongovernmental aid groups.

The Senate recently passed a $95 billion emergency spending package that would allocate additional funding to support Ukraine, as well as aid for Israel and Gaza. But the package faces Republican opposition in the House.

We rate the claim that Zelenskyy used U.S. aid funds to buy two yachts for $75 million False.

Read About Our Process

The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter

Our Sources

Instagram post ( archived ), Feb. 19, 2024

Archived version of Redacted News episode titled "BREAKING! Ukraine's Zelensky CAUGHT buying $75 million luxury yacht with U.S. money?," Jan. 19, 2024

YouTube, BREAKING! Ukraine's Zelensky CAUGHT buying $75 million luxury yacht with U.S. money? | Redacted News (video unavailable), Nov. 27, 2023

Facebook, BREAKING! Ukraine's Zelensky CAUGHT buying $75 million luxury yacht with U.S. money? | Redacted News (video unavailable), Nov. 27, 2023

Facebook video , Nov. 28, 2023

Transcript of Redacted News episode titled, "BREAKING! Ukraine's Zelensky CAUGHT buying $75 million luxury yacht with US money?," Nov. 27, 2023

MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association website , accessed Feb. 21, 2024

MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association, " What is MYBA ," accessed Feb. 21, 2024 

Northrop & Johnson, " Northrop & Johnson Charter Director Fiona Maureso Nnmed MYBA president ," Feb. 15, 2019

MYBA The Worldwide Yachting Association, " Memorandum of Agreement ," accessed Feb. 21, 2024

BehneMar, " Lucky Me is Baglietto’s first custom fast line series for Sale ," accessed Feb. 21, 2024

Burgess, " MY LEGACY Superyacht | Luxury Yacht for Sale ," accessed Feb. 21, 2024

PolitiFact, " Is Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaving Ukraine to become a U.S. citizen? No, that’s false. ," Feb. 14, 2024

PolitiFact, " One year into Russia’s war in Ukraine: A look at U.S. aid, and why the U.S. is involved ," Feb. 23, 2023

The Washington Post, " Pandora Papers: Leaks prompt investigations in some countries — and denial in others ," Oct. 9, 2021

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, " Volodymyr Zelenskyy - Pandora Papers ," Oct. 3, 2021

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, " Pandora Papers reveal offshore holdings of Ukrainian president and his inner circle ," Oct. 3, 2021

CNN, " More than 400 personnel take part in Ukraine aid oversight, US watchdog says ," Feb. 15, 2024

The Associated Press, " What's inside the Senate's $95 billion bill to aid Ukraine and Israel and counter China ," Feb. 13, 2024

The New York Times, " Ukraine Aid Bill Faces Hurdles in the House Amid G.O.P. Opposition ," Feb. 13, 2024

The Associated Press, " Ukraine’s Zelenskyy did not purchase two luxury yachts in October. They’re still up for sale ," Dec. 4, 2023

Agence France-Presse, " Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky becomes target of luxury yacht hoax | Fact Check ," Jan. 19, 2024

Verify, " No, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy didn't buy yachts with U.S. aid money ," Dec. 6, 2023

Logically Facts, " No, Ukraine President Zelenskyy did not buy two mega-yachts worth $75 million ," Dec. 1, 2023

BBC, " How pro-Russian 'yacht' propaganda influenced US debate over Ukraine aid ," Dec. 20, 2023

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Bengue Patrick: Shefir Brothers’ Yacht purchases and call for transparency in Ukrainian leadership

U kraine, a nation fighting a battle of its survival and coupled with navigating the complex waters of political and economic challenges, has also recently found itself at the centre of a controversy that raises serious questions about the priorities of its leadership.

In the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing leadership challenges, the recent purchase of a luxury yacht by the Shefir Brothers has become a topic of intense scrutiny and debate. The Shefir Brothers, known for their influential roles in the business and political spheres, have raised eyebrows with their conspicuous display of wealth during a time of political uncertainty and economic instability.

An investigative report reveals that two key figures reportedly associated with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky have recently acquired extravagant yachts, one in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and the other in Antibes, France, during October 2023.

Boris and Serhiy Shefir, perceived to be Zelensky’s proxies, are reported to have spent a combined total of $75 million on these purchases. Concerns are raised about potential corruption and the appropriate utilisation of Western financial aid intended to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities amid the ongoing military conflict with Russia.

The purchase of a yacht, often seen as a symbol of opulence and extravagance, sends a message that seems out of touch with the current socio-political climate in Ukraine. As the country grapples with pressing issues such as corruption, economic reforms, and geopolitical tensions, the Shefir Brothers’ decision to invest in such a lavish acquisition raises questions about their priorities and commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges

Journalist Shahzad Nasir exposed significant details surrounding the recent yacht acquisitions.

According to documents, Ukrainian citizens Serhiy and Boris Shefir were said to have procured two yachts, named “Lucky Me” and “My Legacy,” situated in Abu Dhabi and Antibes, respectively, within a few days of each other. Nasir provides documentation confirming the purchase of the 46-meter Italian-made yacht “Lucky Me” for $25 million by Boris Shefir on October 18, 2023. Subsequently, Serhiy Shefir, Zelensky’s long-standing first assistant, is reported to have acquired the $50 million yacht “My Legacy” a week later.

The Shefir brothers, known for their close personal and professional ties to President Zelensky, share a hometown in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, and jointly founded the successful TV entertainment production company “Kvartal-95 Studio.” They are regarded as trusted confidants and friends of President Zelensky.

Recent yacht acquisitions by the Shefir brothers raise concerns about the potential misuse of Western financial aid, suggesting that Zelensky’s associates may be acting as proxies to conceal his involvement in such expenditures. Despite efforts by Western countries to enforce stringent controls on financial aid to Ukraine, opportunities for embezzlement persist. Given Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, the significant expenditures by Zelensky’s inner circle warrant a comprehensive investigation into the use of funds.

Also, critics argue that the timing of this alleged extravagant purchase reflects a lack of sensitivity to the struggles faced by ordinary Ukrainians. The optics of political figures indulging in luxury acquisitions while the public contends with economic hardships can

erode trust in the leadership and fuel public resentment. This move by the Shefir Brothers may inadvertently contribute to a perception of elitism, exacerbating the existing divide between the ruling class and the broader population

This yacht purchase underscores the need for increased transparency and accountability within Ukraine’s political and business circles. As the country strives for democratic stability and strives to shed its reputation for corruption, the actions of influential figures, like the Shefir Brothers, should be subject to thorough scrutiny. Transparency not only ensures public trust but also sets a precedent for responsible and ethical leadership.

The Shefir Brothers’ acquisition of a luxury yacht amid Ukraine’s leadership challenges raises significant concerns about their priorities and the overall state of governance. At a time when the nation needs steadfast and responsible leadership, the optics of indulging in extravagance are damaging.

This incident highlights the imperative for leaders to be mindful of their actions and the message they convey to the public, especially during periods of political turbulence and economic uncertainty.

Bengue Patrick Mankis, wrote from Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Contact email: [email protected]

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Photos: Ukrainian President Zelensky Accused of Using Proxies to Hide Ownership of $75M Yachts – The Yachts’ Names Are an Insult to All American Taxpayers

Vladimir Zelensky, through dummies allegedly purchased two ocean-going yachts for a total of $75 million.

The information is taken from the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA), we are talking about two superyachts – the 46 meter Lucky Me and the 57 meter My Legacy.

The first was purchased for $25 million on October 18, the second for almost $50 million on October 25. Brothers became buyers Boris and Sergey Shefirywho are close friends and confidants of the President of Ukraine.

It was together with them that Zelensky founded the Kvartal-95 studio, and appointed the youngest of the brothers, Sergei Shefer, as first assistant to the President of Ukraine shortly after winning the elections.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, once seen as a beacon of hope against corruption, is now ensnared in a scandal involving the alleged purchase of two luxury yachts, “Lucky Me” and “My Legacy,” worth a combined $75 million. This lavish expenditure, facilitated in the opulent settings of Abu Dhabi and Antibes, starkly contrasts with Ukraine’s dire war reality and raises damning questions about the integrity and criminal liability of its leadership amidst heavy reliance on Western aid.

In a striking expose, an independent journalistic inquiry has brought to light an egregious display of opulence by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s closest associates. Boris and Serhiy Shefir, two of Zelenskyy’s confidants, have been implicated in the purchase of two ultra -luxury yachts, with a jaw-dropping combined cost of $75 million. These purchases, completed in October 2023 in Abu Dhabi and Antibes, raise severe concerns about corruption at the highest levels of Ukrainian leadership. The extravagance is particularly alarming given the context: these funds, likely derived from Western aid allocated for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, appear to have been diverted for personal luxury, highlighting a disturbing (criminal) misallocation of resources intended for the nation’s defence.

Journalist Shahzad Nasir, in a revealing video exposé, has brought to light a scandalous facet of corruption within the Ukrainian leadership at the absolute highest levels:

Photos from the yachts below:

(This post may contain disputed claims. We make no assertions as to the validity of the information presented by our Opinion Columnist. This is an opinion article, and this post should be treated as such. Enjoy.)

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It pays to be friends with Zelensky: How $75m yachts reveal the huge and sudden wealth of the Ukrainian leader’s inner circle

In the Midst of Brutal War: Extravagance and Proxy Intrigues Ignite Global Outrage

By : Andrei Datsyuk

In the heart of Eastern Europe, where the tumult of war clashes with the allure of Western support, a seismic scandal unfolds, casting a long shadow over Ukraine’s leadership. President Volodymyr Zelensky, once seen as a beacon of hope against corruption, is now ensnared in a scandal involving the alleged purchase of two luxury yachts, “Lucky Me” and “My Legacy,” worth a combined $75 million. This lavish expenditure, facilitated in the opulent settings of Abu Dhabi and Antibes, starkly contrasts with Ukraine’s dire war reality and raises damning questions about the integrity and criminal liability of its leadership amidst heavy reliance on Western aid.

In a striking expose, an independent journalistic inquiry has brought to light an egregious display of opulence by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s closest associates. Boris and Serhiy Shefir, two of Zelenskyy’s confidants, have been implicated in the purchase of two ultra -luxury yachts, with a jaw-dropping combined cost of $75 million. These purchases, completed in October 2023 in Abu Dhabi and Antibes, raise severe concerns about corruption at the highest levels of Ukrainian leadership. The extravagance is particularly alarming given the context: these funds, likely derived from Western aid allocated for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, appear to have been diverted for personal luxury, highlighting a disturbing (criminal) misallocation of resources intended for the nation’s defence.

Journalist Shahzad Nasir, in a revealing video exposé, has brought to light a scandalous facet of corruption within the Ukrainian leadership at the absolute highest levels:

The Ukrainian leadership’s reputation has been further marred by a recent corruption scandal involving high-ranking military officials. Key army chiefs have been caught misusing US aid, intended for the nation’s defense, to indulge in extravagant purchases of luxury vehicles and properties in Spain. This egregious misuse of funds starkly contrasts with the plight of Ukrainian soldiers facing ammunition shortages on the frontlines. President Zelensky’s response, firing these officials, appears as a belated effort to address corruption. This pattern of corruption, increasingly visible to the public, points to a troubling common denominator: the Zelensky administration. This revelation challenges the integrity of Ukraine’s governance in a time of crisis, casting a shadow over Zelensky’s leadership.

The juxtaposition of Zelensky’s associates’ extravagant yacht purchases with the corruption scandal in Ukraine’s military casts a glaring light on a pattern of corruption and misallocation at the heart of the nation’s governance. Amidst the backdrop of brutal war, these revelations not only underscore a profound disconnect in Ukraine’s leadership but also hint at a systemic graft, where the nation’s resources and Western aid are diverted for personal gain at a time when national solidarity, unity and responsible leadership are desperately needed.

Boris and Serhiy Shefir, emerging from the same roots as President Zelensky, have risen to prominence and power. Born in the same city as Zelensky, Kryvyi Rih, they share a bond that transcends the professional; a camaraderie rooted in shared experiences and a collective rise to prominence through the “Kvartal-95 studio.” However, their proximity to power and recent indulgence in lavish lifestyles, amidst the grim realities of a nation ripped apart by an unnecessary war, a war provoked by Ukraine via its master in Washington, raises grave questions about corruption and misallocation within Ukraine’s elite. This ostentatious display of wealth, in stark contrast to the country’s dire needs, highlights the troubling nexus of personal enrichment and power in Ukrainian politics, where the welfare of the nation is seemingly secondary to the luxuries of the few.

Appointed as the first assistant to President Zelenskyy in 2019, Serhiy Shefir’s deeper entanglement in Zelenskyy’s covert financial dealings soon came to light. Investigative reports by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project unveiled Shefir’s pivotal role in managing Zelenskyy’s offshore network, spanning the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, and Belize. This web of deceit, exposed by the Pandora’s Archives, revealed Shefir as the clandestine custodian of Zelenskyy’s wealth, executing high-value property purchases in London. Notably, Shefir acquired a lavish three-bedroom apartment on Glenworth Street and a luxurious two-bedroom flat in Chalfont Court, totaling over £3.78 million ($5.78 million). These revelations, too significant for even Kiev-aligned Ukrainian media to ignore, underscore a staggering level of corruption, implicating the highest echelons of Ukrainian leadership in a scandalous misuse of power and wealth.

Ukraine’s chronic struggle with corruption is deeply rooted in its history. The oligarchic power structures have long cast a shadow over the nation’s governance, epitomized by the infamous Burisma scandal and the contentious dismissal of Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, allegedly to protect Hunter Biden. This particular episode underscores the intricate web of political power and corporate interests in Ukraine, igniting international scrutiny and raising critical questions about external influences on the country’s legal and judicial processes. These ongoing issues of systemic corruption erode both domestic confidence and international trust in Ukraine’s institutions.

The lavish lifestyles and controversial financial dealings of President Zelensky and his associates have cast a shadow over Ukraine’s already fragile trust in governance. This juxtaposition of opulent yacht purchases and unchecked personal spending amid Ukraine’s reliance on Western aid paints a grim picture of leadership. The implications of this misallocated aid extend beyond Ukraine’s borders, stirring unrest in the Middle East and spotlighting the interconnectedness of Ukraine’s internal politics with global geopolitical dynamics.

The recent shopping extravaganza by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska in New York City amplifies concerns over the misuse of American aid. These actions not only raise questions about the ethical conduct of Ukraine’s first family but also signal the potential role of Ukrainian corruption in fuelling regional instability. This crisis transcends national boundaries, posing a significant challenge to global stability and the fight against corruption.

As Ukraine endures the horrors of war, with over half a million lives lost in an unnecessary conflict, the populace struggles for daily survival. In stark contrast, their leaders, basking in luxury, exhibit an alarming indifference. The yachts “Lucky Me” and “My Legacy” serve as a poignant emblem of this leadership’s blatant disconnect from the nation’s suffering. At this pivotal moment, Ukraine faces a crucial decision: embrace democratic ideals and tackle corruption, or persist on a path where power and luxury eclipse the urgent needs of a nation in agony. This choice will not only dictate Ukraine’s future but also mirror its dedication to the democratic principles it professes, amidst a climate of contempt and apathy from its rulers. Reports like these fuelling righteous anger don’t bode well for Zelensky as he clings to power amid swirling rumours of coups, underscoring the volatile and uncertain nature of his tenure.

The Islander , Ukraine

Corruption Geopolitics Ukraine War Zelesnky

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Zelensky’s $75M Yacht Scandal: Shocking Betrayal of American Taxpayers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under fire for his alleged involvement in a scheme to conceal his ownership of two luxury yachts worth a whopping $75 million. The Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) has obtained evidence suggesting that Zelensky used proxies to purchase these extravagant vessels, namely the 46 meter Lucky Me and the 57 meter My Legacy. To make matters worse, the buyers of these yachts are none other than Boris and Sergey Shefir, close friends of the president and founders of the Kvartal-95 studio.

Zelensky, once hailed as a champion against corruption, now finds himself mired in a scandal that could tarnish his image forever. The audacity of these purchases is truly astounding, especially considering the dire circumstances Ukraine currently finds itself in with ongoing conflicts and the need for Western aid. It raises serious questions about the integrity and criminal culpability of Zelensky and his inner circle.

Predictable. Zelensky Accused of Using Proxies to Hide Ownership of $75M Yachts – The Yachts’ Names Are an Insult to All American Taxpayers https://t.co/yYqPwAro7T — The Patriot Hammer (@patriot_hammer) November 27, 2023

In a damning exposé, independent journalists have provided a detailed account of the opulent spending habits of Zelensky’s associates. Boris and Serhiy Shefir’s involvement in the purchase of these luxury yachts is cause for alarm. The sheer audacity of spending $75 million on two boats while their fellow countrymen suffer is a slap in the face to all American taxpayers who contribute to foreign aid.

It is particularly disheartening to think that these funds may have been diverted from Western aid allocated for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. This suggests a gross mismanagement of resources and a blatant disregard for the purpose of those funds. As conservatives, we believe in responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and this scandal is a blatant violation of that principle.

As these allegations continue to unravel, it becomes evident that Zelensky and his cronies are not the righteous leaders they claimed to be. Their actions reflect a serious lack of judgment and a disconnection from the realities faced by ordinary Ukrainians. It is our duty as conservatives to hold our leaders accountable and demand transparency, honesty, and fiscal responsibility. The American people deserve to know that their hard-earned money is being used wisely and for the benefit of those in need, not for the personal indulgences of corrupt politicians.

Written by Staff Reports

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