Kremlin downplays Ukrainian presence in Kursk amidst propaganda push

The Kremlin has started a complex propaganda campaign downplaying the presence of Ukrainians in the Kursk region, according to analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government officials are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.

According to ISW experts, Russian propaganda is trying to convince Russians that maintaining the initiative on the front in eastern Ukraine is more important than the quick expulsion of Ukrainians from the Kursk region.

Propaganda greatly diminishes the presence of foreign troops on Russian territory and even portrays it as the "new norm." The Kremlin is trying to convince its citizens that the army will reclaim the occupied territories right after the "inevitable" defeat of Ukraine in Donbas.

The Ukrainian advances near Kursk are being depicted as "limited," while Russian actions in eastern Ukraine are being called "a great victory."

Additionally, to minimize panic in the region, the Kremlin decided not to cancel the September gubernatorial elections in the Kursk region.

The Ukrainian army's attack on the Kursk region started on August 6. The territory in the Kursk region in Russia, which was captured by Ukrainian forces, has increased to approximately 1,260 square kilometres, and the number of towns controlled by us has increased to 93, as stated on Tuesday by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian army, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Due to the Ukrainian offensive, more than 122,000 residents were forced to evacuate from the Kursk region.