Deepfake Zelenskyy surrender video is the 'first intentionally used' in Ukraine war

A manipulated video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling on citizens to surrender to Russia has been shared online.

The false video appears to show Zelenskyy addressing the nation and encouraging citizens to "lay down arms".

One version of the "deepfake" was viewed more than 120,000 times on Twitter.

Zelenskyy's face and voice have been edited onto the video using artificial intelligence (AI) to create the deepfake video.

The viral clip differs from the majority of misinformation that has been shared since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Most false rumours originate from images or videos that have been taken out of context, from other wars or world events.

"This is the first deepfake that we've seen used in an intentional and broadly deceptive way," said Sam Gregory, programme director at Witness, a human rights and technology group.

"It's not an effective deepfake, partly because it's not an extremely well-made deepfake, but also because Ukraine has done a masterful job pre-bunking and then swiftly rebutting the video."

"Deepfakes haven't been the main problem in Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Gregory told Euronews.

Earlier this month, Ukraine's Land Forces warned citizens to be aware of potential manipulated videos that could show apparent calls to surrender.

"Videos made through such technologies are almost impossible to distinguish from the real ones," the authority said in a Facebook post.

"[The] goal is to disorient, sow panic, disbelieve citizens and incite our troops to retreat. Rest assured - Ukraine will not capitulate."

Уявіть, що бачите в телевізорі Володимира Зеленського, який робить заяву про капітуляцію. Ви бачите його, ви чуєте його...

On Wednesday, Ukraine's President swiftly released a video on