KHARKIV, UKRAINE – After being reelected on March 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin became the subject of a viral photo depicting an explosion behind one of his campaign posters with the slogan “stability”. However, it was later revealed that this image was actually created by a Ukrainian designer using artificial intelligence and Photoshop.
The image, which circulated widely on social media, initially led to speculation that it captured a bombing campaign by the Ukrainian Army targeting a Russian refinery. Despite the controversy surrounding the image, further investigation uncovered that the creator, a designer from Kherson, Ukraine, had fabricated the scene as a form of artistic expression in response to the ongoing conflict in his country.
In a post on Telegram, the designer expressed surprise at the image’s global reach, noting that many mistook it for a real photograph due to its realistic portrayal. He explained that his inspiration for creating such images stemmed from the Russian occupation of Kherson, his hometown, as a way to boost morale and support for the Ukrainian Army.
Although the image featured a billboard with the slogan “Russia Putin 2024”, similar to those used in Putin’s reelection campaign, Russian journalists confirmed that they had not seen a poster like the one depicted in the image. They noted that Putin’s campaign materials typically focus on images of the Russian countryside rather than featuring the president himself.
The viral nature of the image highlighted the power of visual storytelling in shaping public perception and underscored the role of digital art in amplifying messages related to geopolitical conflicts. The incident serves as a reminder of the influence of digital media in disseminating information and the importance of critical thinking when consuming content online.