Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emerged as a global symbol of resilience, rallying international support for his country’s defense against aggression. But whispers of lavish spending by Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska—rumors of multimillion-dollar property purchases abroad and extravagant shopping sprees during wartime—have sparked controversy and skepticism. Are these claims grounded in truth, or are they part of a disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine’s leadership? CGN Network digs into the evidence, separating fact from fiction in an exclusive investigation.
The Rumors: Property Purchases and Lavish Spending
The rumors gained traction in 2024, when a website called “The London Crier”—claiming to be a UK-based news outlet—published a sensational report alleging that Zelensky had purchased Highgrove House, a £20 million ($25 million) mansion previously owned by King Charles III, in Gloucestershire, England. The story, amplified on X and other social media platforms, claimed the deal was facilitated by a meeting between Zelenska and Queen Camilla in February 2024, with photos of the royal visit used as “evidence.” Similarly, posts on X and articles in fringe outlets like Nigeria’s The Nation alleged that Olena Zelenska went on a $40,000 shopping spree in Paris in December 2022, splurging on luxury goods like Cartier jewelry, white gold items, and designer clothing.
These claims paint a picture of a wartime leader and his family living extravagantly while Ukraine suffers under Russian bombardment, fueling outrage among skeptics and critics of Western aid to Kyiv. But are they true, or are they part of a broader disinformation effort to undermine Zelensky’s credibility?
Digging Into the Highgrove House Claim
CGN Network’s investigation began with the Highgrove House rumor. Deutsche Welle (DW) fact-checked the claim in April 2024, labeling it “baseless.” Highgrove House, a 900-acre estate in Gloucestershire, remains the private residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with no evidence of a sale or transfer to Zelensky. The London Crier website, traced to a network of questionable domains, lacks credible editorial oversight and has a history of spreading fabricated stories, according to EDMO (European Digital Media Observatory). Photos of Zelenska’s February 2024 meeting with the royals, shared on her Instagram, show a diplomatic visit thanking the UK for support—not a property transaction. Royal sources and UK property records, accessed via The Times, confirm Highgrove remains royal property, with no sales or leases recorded in 2023 or 2024.
Further, Zelensky’s financial disclosures, mandated by Ukrainian law and published on the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) website, show no overseas property acquisitions. His declared assets include a modest apartment in Kyiv and a vacation home in Ivanivka, valued at under $1 million combined, with no mention of foreign real estate. Experts like Dr. Michael Carpenter, a U.S. National Security Council official, told Politico in 2024 that such rumors are “classic Russian disinformation” designed to erode trust in Zelensky and justify reduced Western aid.
The Paris Shopping Spree Allegation
The claim that Olena Zelenska spent $40,000 on a shopping spree in Paris in December 2022 also crumbles under scrutiny. Newsweek fact-checked the story in December 2022, finding no credible evidence to support it. Zelenska’s visit to Paris that month, widely covered by French media like Le Monde, was a diplomatic trip with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to strengthen ties with France amid Russia’s invasion. She met President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, focusing on Ukraine’s war efforts and refugee support, not luxury shopping.
Social media posts, including tweets by journalist Max Blumenthal, cited an alleged receipt from a Paris boutique showing Zelenska’s purchase of luxury white gold items. However, EDMO traced the receipt to a disinformation campaign originating in Russian-backed outlets, with the image manipulated and spread across African websites like The Nation. Clemson University’s 2023 study on cross-border disinformation identified similar tactics, noting Russian embassies in South Africa and the UK amplifying false narratives about Zelenska’s spending to discredit Ukraine’s leadership. Zelenska’s Telegram account, which documented her Paris visit, made no mention of shopping, focusing instead on gratitude for France’s support.
Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, dismissed the rumors in a 2023 CNBC interview, emphasizing transparency in handling Western aid. Zelenska’s financial records, also available on the NACP site, show no evidence of luxury purchases abroad, with her declared income derived from royalties, speaking fees, and her husband’s presidential salary—far short of funding a $40,000 shopping spree.
The Disinformation Connection
CGN’s investigation reveals a pattern: these rumors are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign, likely driven by Russia to undermine Zelensky’s image and sow doubt among Western allies. EDMO and Bellingcat have documented dozens of similar hoaxes since 2022, accusing Zelensky and his family of squandering Western aid on luxury goods like yachts, casinos, and mansions. In 2023, Russian state media outlets like RT and Sputnik amplified claims of Zelensky buying a $75 million villa in Italy—another fabrication debunked by Italian property records and Ukrainian officials.
The timing of these rumors aligns with key moments in the war, such as Ukraine’s requests for additional military aid or Zelensky’s international visits. The Washington Post reported in 2024 that Russian intelligence uses social media bots and fake news sites to spread such narratives, targeting audiences in Europe, Africa, and the U.S. to erode support for Kyiv. The Highgrove House and Paris shopping claims, while widely shared on X and fringe platforms, lack primary sources, credible witnesses, or verifiable evidence, relying instead on sensationalism and emotional manipulation.
Zelensky’s Response and Reality on the Ground
Zelensky has repeatedly addressed these rumors, calling them “Russian lies” in a 2024 interview with The New York Times. He emphasized that his family remains in Ukraine, living modestly amid the war, with Zelenska focusing on humanitarian initiatives like mental health support for Ukrainian children. In a 2023 BBC interview, she detailed her wartime role, including visits to bomb shelters and refugee camps, contradicting the image of a luxury-obsessed first lady.
On the ground, Ukraine faces devastating losses—over 30,000 civilian deaths and millions displaced, according to U.N. estimates as of 2025. Western aid, totaling over $100 billion from the U.S. and EU, funds military equipment, humanitarian relief, and reconstruction, not personal extravagance. The U.S. Department of Defense’s 2024 audit of aid to Ukraine found no evidence of misuse, while the EU’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) confirmed strict oversight of funds.
Conclusion: A Campaign of Lies
CGN’s investigation finds no credible evidence supporting claims of Zelensky purchasing property abroad or Zelenska’s alleged shopping sprees. These rumors are fabrications, part of a Russian disinformation strategy to discredit Ukraine’s leadership and justify reduced international support. While skepticism of public figures is healthy, these specific allegations rely on manipulated images, fake websites, and emotional appeals rather than facts. As Ukraine fights for survival, the real story isn’t luxury purchases—it’s a nation’s resilience against aggression, funded by transparent aid and led by a president whose focus remains on victory, not villas. The truth demands vigilance against disinformation, not blind belief in viral rumors.