Laura Loomer Apologizes for Russian Propaganda After Visiting Ukraine

Conservative influencer and Donald Trump advisor Laura Loomer visited Ukraine in July 2026, resulting in a public reversal of her previously pro-Russian stances. After experiencing her first air raid and witnessing the aftermath of ballistic missile attacks on civilian areas in Kyiv, Loomer apologized for minimizing the conflict and downplaying Ukrainian struggles. She admitted to being a victim of a media echo chamber and Russian propaganda, which had led her to believe the invasion was justified.

During her trip, Loomer viewed evidence of war crimes, including the Bucha massacre, and visited the damaged Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. At the cathedral, she accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy for claiming to protect Christianity while launching drone strikes against religious sites. Loomer stated she would not delete her past posts, intending to use them to demonstrate the effectiveness of Russian information warfare.

On July 23, Loomer met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The office of the Ukrainian president welcomed the visit, stating that firsthand experience is the most effective way to counter misinformation. Loomer was also joined by Ukrainian officials Sergiy Kyslytsya and Tetyana Berezhna during her visit.