Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s company Film Heritage Inc. has purchased the Vuni Palace Hotel and Casino in occupied northern Cyprus, Turkish media outlets have reported, though the claim’s validity has been disputed.
According to the OdaTv network, Zelenskyy appears to be the official owner of the hotel-casino in Kyrenia after his company finalised the acquisition in early May 2024.
OdaTv did not disclose how much Film Heritage paid but said online records show the asking price for Vuni Palace was £150 million.
However, the Russian research institute “GnidaProject” referred to the reports as “fake news” on Twitter.
The allegations were denied by a spokesperson for the hotel in statements to the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday.
The news spreading rapidly on pro-Russian social media accounts, just days before European Parliament elections, has raised doubts over its credibility, analysts have said.
When asked about the matter, the Director of the President’s Press Office, Victoras Papadopoulos, said the Republic of Cyprus had no information about such a purchase by Zelenskyy’s company.
But he added “The matter is being investigated”, saying he hoped “it is not part of a hybrid war from the Turkish side”.
