Zelensky with Horns and Fake Graffiti: The Reality of Russian “Hahaganda”
Russian state-aligned actors are deploying “hahaganda”—the weaponization of satire and AI-generated content—to systematically discredit Ukrainian leadership and military morale through a...
Russian state-aligned actors are deploying “hahaganda”—the weaponization of satire and AI-generated content—to systematically discredit Ukrainian leadership and military morale through a coordinated international disinformation campaign.
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The mechanics of “hahaganda”
Coined by Latvian media expert Solvita Denisa-Liepniece in 2017, “hahaganda”—a blend of “ha ha” and “propaganda”—describes the use of memes, satire, and irony to erode trust in pro-democratic figures. Aggressive, humiliating humor is the primary tool for delegitimizing institutions.
Researchers at the Ukrainian fact-checking organization StopFake note that President Zelensky has been a constant target of primitive visual manipulations since the war began. These include doctored covers of Time magazine showing him with horns or edited images meant to portray him as a clown.
AI-driven defamation and international reach
Analysts report that Kremlin-aligned campaigns increasingly use AI-manipulated videos to undermine the Ukrainian government. A notable example involved a deepfake video depicting Zelensky kneeling before Saudi Arabian officials, intended to portray him as a puppet incapable of independent governance.
Disinformation efforts have expanded beyond Ukraine, targeting international audiences with fake graffiti. Between 2022 and 2024, fabricated images surfaced on social media purporting to show anti-Zelensky street art in Warsaw, Madrid, Paris, and London, including caricatures of the president consuming money or being kicked by Donald Trump.
Targeting soldiers and foreign volunteers
Russian disinformation also mimics established media outlets to spread falsehoods. Fact-checkers identified nine fake covers impersonating the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, leading the publication to file a lawsuit in May 2025 to stop the unauthorized use of its brand.
AI is also used to ridicule Ukrainian troops. A deepfake video from January 2026 depicted an obese soldier, while another campaign from late 2025 featured a young man claiming he refused to fight. According to Maldita.es, this video was translated into 13 languages, with the Hungarian version reaching two million views, specifically aimed at deterring foreign volunteers from joining Ukraine.