Iuliia Mendel, former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelensky, has sparked widespread outrage among Ukrainians after appearing on right-wing U.S. podcaster Tucker Carlson's show to promote narratives that align closely with Russian propaganda, according to the Kyiv Independent.
In the May 11 interview, Mendel described Ukraine as corrupt, speculated that Zelensky might be a drug addict, and claimed he was willing to give up Ukrainian territory during peace negotiations—allegations made without evidence and contradicting her own previous public statements defending the president.
The transformation is stark. Just four years ago, Mendel published a book praising Zelensky's leadership. Now, presenting herself as an insider with special knowledge, she has become a source for narratives that serve Russian information warfare objectives by undermining Western support for Ukraine and questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian resistance.
"Pretending to be the 'insider,' when no longer witnessing peace negotiations, she promoted serious allegations blaming Ukraine and Western partners for sabotaging peace," explained disinformation researcher Alyona Hurkivska. "This is textbook information warfare—using a perceived credible source to launder propaganda narratives."
The incident illustrates a pattern familiar to information warfare analysts: disgruntled former officials become valuable assets for adversary propaganda precisely because their insider credentials lend apparent credibility to false or misleading claims. Russian information operations have systematically cultivated such sources throughout the war, amplifying their messages through sympathetic Western media platforms.
Mendel's specific claims align with core Russian propaganda themes: as irredeemably corrupt, as unstable or compromised, and peace negotiations as sabotaged by Ukrainian intransigence rather than Russian aggression. These narratives serve strategic objectives by eroding Western public support for continued military aid and diplomatic backing.



