After Macron's 'drug' smear, Russian propaganda targets Merz with 'cocaine spoon' hoax

Russian Telegram channels and bots on the social media platform X are circulating a cropped photo taken inside the train carriage used by the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing" — Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz — during their visit to Kyiv on May 10. The image allegedly shows traces of narcotics and what is being claimed as a "cocaine spoon" supposedly belonging to the German chancellor.

This claim is false. The item being touted as a "cocaine spoon" by propagandists is, in fact, an ear spoon.

The photo being circulated has been deliberately blurred to prevent clear identification of the objects on the table.

The Russian disinformation about drug traces on the train table was officially refuted by the office of French President Emmanuel Macron.

"When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace wrote on social media.

This fake story is part of a broader effort to discredit the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing" who visited Kyiv on May 10 to show their support for Ukraine and to advocate for a just peace.

Russian propaganda earlier fabricated a story about "Immortal Regiment" parades allegedly being broadcast on billboards in Berlin.

Andriy Olenin