The Viral Truth: 5 Facts About The Ukraine Flag On The Statue Of Liberty (AI Fakes Vs. The Real Replica)

The image of the iconic Statue of Liberty draped in the vibrant blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag has become one of the most powerful and widely shared symbols of international solidarity since the full-scale Russian invasion began. As of December 15, 2025, this powerful visual has circulated across social media platforms, sparking both awe and confusion among millions of users worldwide. However, the true story behind this image is far more complex than a simple protest in New York Harbor, involving a case of mistaken identity, a powerful replica in France, and the latest wave of sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes.

This article will delve into the facts, separating the viral fiction from the powerful reality, and explore why the image of Lady Liberty embracing Ukraine's colors has resonated so deeply with the global movement supporting Ukrainian sovereignty and freedom.

The Great Debunk: Why the New York Statue of Liberty Was Never Draped in Blue and Yellow

The initial and most persistent claim circulating online is that the original, colossal Statue of Liberty in New York City's harbor was adorned with the Ukrainian flag. This assertion, frequently accompanied by dramatic, high-resolution photographs, is unequivocally false. The National Park Service (NPS), which manages the monument, has confirmed that no such event took place on Liberty Island.

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Fact Check: The Rise of AI-Generated Solidarity Videos

In the most recent wave of viral content, sophisticated, short video clips began circulating, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, claiming to show workers hoisting the Ukrainian flag onto the torch or crown of the New York landmark. These videos, which appeared highly realistic, were quickly identified as products of advanced artificial intelligence tools, such as OpenAI's Sora. The creation of these deepfake videos highlights a new frontier in political activism and information warfare, where the desire for a powerful symbolic gesture is fulfilled through synthetic media rather than physical action. While the intention was to show solidarity, the reliance on AI-generated content led to the spread of misinformation.

• Viral Deception: Clips showing the flag being attached to the torch were traced back to AI-generated sources, often initially posted with an AI disclosure that was later stripped away by other users.
• Official Denial: There are no credible news reports, official statements from the NPS, or live webcam footage to confirm that the actual Statue of Liberty in the United States was ever physically draped in the Ukrainian flag.
• Symbolic Power: Despite being fake, the widespread sharing of these videos underscores the intense global desire for a dramatic, visible show of American support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

The True Story: The Statue of Liberty Replica in Colmar, France

The source of the most authentic and widely shared *photographs* of a Statue of Liberty draped in the Ukrainian flag is not New York, but the small, picturesque town of Colmar, France. This is the crucial piece of information that separates the reality from the viral misinformation.

Colmar holds a unique historical connection to the American icon: it is the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who designed the original Statue of Liberty. A 12-meter-high replica of Lady Liberty stands at the northern entrance to the town, a prominent local landmark.

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A Powerful Gesture of European Solidarity

In the weeks following the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the replica statue in Colmar was physically adorned with a massive Ukrainian national flag. This powerful, visible demonstration of support was a clear and unambiguous statement of solidarity from the French town and a symbol of broader European support for the embattled nation. The image of the copper-green resin replica wrapped in blue and yellow was then widely shared online, often miscaptioned as the New York statue, leading to the global confusion.

This act of protest and visible support served as a beacon, reminding the world of the shared values of liberty and democracy that the original statue represents. The Colmar replica, standing in the homeland of its creator, effectively became a European symbol of resistance, linking the historical French-American alliance to the modern struggle for freedom in Eastern Europe.

• Location: Colmar, France (Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's birthplace).
• The Event: The replica was physically draped with the Ukrainian national flag in a clear show of support against the Russian aggression.
• Date: The event took place in March 2022, shortly after the invasion began.
• The Misinformation Cycle: The authentic photos from Colmar were frequently reposted on social media and misidentified as the New York City statue, fueling the viral, yet false, narrative.

The Global Symbolism of Lady Liberty and the Ukrainian Cause

The enduring fascination with seeing the Ukrainian flag on the Statue of Liberty, whether real or fabricated, speaks volumes about the monument's universal symbolism. The Statue of Liberty, officially titled Liberty Enlightening the World, is a potent entity representing freedom, democracy, and a welcoming beacon to immigrants and the oppressed. By associating the Ukrainian struggle with this global icon, activists and citizens are attempting to elevate the conflict from a regional war to a defense of fundamental Western values.

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Entities and Topical Authority: Linking Landmarks to Liberty

The act of using national landmarks for political statements is a recurring phenomenon, demonstrating the power of these structures as vessels for global messages. The Statue of Liberty, as an emblem of freedom, provides a powerful canvas for expressing solidarity. The Ukrainian flag itself, with its blue representing the sky and the yellow symbolizing the wheat fields, is a national symbol of peace and prosperity, now intertwined with the narrative of a nation fighting for its existence.

The symbolism is further emphasized by other related events, such as the Motherland Monument in Kyiv—often referred to as Ukraine's version of the Statue of Liberty—which has also been a site for symbolic political acts, including the temporary display of a Pride flag by activists. These actions demonstrate a coordinated effort to use monumental symbols of national identity and freedom to communicate urgent political messages to a global audience. The global entities involved in this topical discussion include:

• The Statue of Liberty: The primary symbol of American and universal freedom.
• Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi: The French sculptor, whose birthplace hosted the genuine protest.
• Colmar, France: The location of the authentic, draped replica.
• National Park Service (NPS): The U.S. government entity responsible for the New York monument.
• Sora/OpenAI: The AI technology responsible for the recent deepfake videos.
• The Motherland Monument (Kyiv): Ukraine's own monumental symbol, a site for other symbolic protests.
• Russian Federation: The aggressor state, providing the context for the protest.
• New York Harbor: The iconic setting of the original statue.
• Liberty Island: The specific island where the U.S. statue stands.
• European Union (EU): The broader political body demonstrating solidarity.
• Ukrainian Sovereignty: The core political principle being defended.
• Freedom and Democracy: The universal values represented by Lady Liberty.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The underlying tragedy prompting the global response.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: A related cause highlighted by a similar protest on Ukraine's Motherland Monument.
• Digital Misinformation: The modern challenge of AI-generated content in political activism.

In conclusion, while the image of the Ukrainian flag on the New York Statue of Liberty remains a powerful, often-misidentified viral sensation—and increasingly a subject of AI-generated fakery—the true act of solidarity took place in Colmar, France. This distinction is vital for understanding the true nature of global support: a decentralized, powerful movement that uses symbols of liberty across continents to stand against aggression and champion the cause of Ukrainian freedom.