How a fabrication by an American motivational speaker with no evidence was turned into a 'sensational story' in Russian propaganda media
Russian propaganda has launched another disinformation campaign claiming that Ukrainian officials are allegedly buying superyachts with Western aid funds. In particular, Russian propaganda media outlets and bots on X are circulating a video by American blogger and motivational speaker Steven Kuhn, who is also the owner of Take America Back Inc.
In the video, Kuhn claims – without providing any evidence – that the superyacht market (vessels over 24 meters in length) is allegedly "flooded" with orders from Ukrainian officials and that there is a four-year waiting list for such vessels. He further alleges that this is how funds from Western aid are being "laundered" in Ukraine.
The claim is false. Kuhn provides no evidence to support his statements, does not name any individuals who allegedly placed such orders, nor does he identify any shipyards that supposedly received them. His remarks repeat manipulative narratives about "systemic corruption" and the alleged embezzlement of aid – claims frequently used by the Kremlin to discredit Ukraine internationally.
