Conservative activist Laura Loomer issued a public apology on Wednesday for her previous dismissive comments about the war in Ukraine, just two days after Russia launched a deadly missile strike on Kyiv and other cities. In a series of posts on X, Loomer said her perspective shifted dramatically after she personally experienced an air raid and heard sirens blaring during a visit to the Ukrainian capital.
“This is everyday for every Ukrainian,” Loomer wrote. “I feel like such an a–hole for minimizing the struggle of Ukrainians for the last 5 years. I often said I don’t care. Looking back, that wasn’t very nice of me to say.” Her remarks mark a sharp reversal for the far-right figure, who had previously echoed Kremlin talking points questioning Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Loomer went further, acknowledging the role of Russian disinformation in shaping her earlier views. “There are people in Ukraine who have to run to a bomb shelter every day, and some of us had the audacity to say Russia wasn’t wrong because we believed the lie that Ukraine is a country full of Nazi sympathizers,” she added. “We have been so propagandized by Russia, and we don’t even realize it.”
The apology comes amid an intensification of Russia’s ballistic missile campaign, aimed at crippling Ukraine’s ability to strike oil facilities deep inside Russian territory—strikes that have caused critical fuel shortages for both the Russian military and civilians. The Kremlin’s recent escalation has drawn renewed attention to the humanitarian toll of the war, now in its fifth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office welcomed Loomer’s change of heart, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experience in countering Russian propaganda. “There is no better way to get informed opinion than through personal experience which allows to deal with Russian propaganda,” his office wrote on X. The administration has long struggled to counter disinformation campaigns that downplay Russia’s aggression.
Loomer’s about-face comes as former President Donald Trump has signaled a shift in U.S. policy, announcing he is prepared to grant Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missile systems. The Patriot is considered the most effective interceptor against Russian ballistic missiles, and the move could significantly bolster Kyiv’s air defenses. This development follows recent congressional debates over Ukraine aid, including the House’s decisive rejection of an amendment to cut security assistance to Kyiv.
Critics of Loomer’s earlier statements note that her apology, while notable, underscores the broader influence of pro-Russian narratives among some American conservatives. The episode highlights the persistent challenge of misinformation in shaping public opinion on the war. Meanwhile, Trump’s licensing of Patriot production and Ukraine’s continued deep strikes into Russian territory have rattled Moscow’s elite, signaling that the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.
Loomer’s post concluded with a blunt admission: “I was wrong.” Whether her apology marks a lasting shift or a fleeting moment of contrition remains to be seen, but for Ukrainians facing daily bombardments, the sentiment—if not the timing—is a reminder of the human cost that often gets lost in political debates.
