Ukrainian offensive exposes Putin's media control tactics

Many reports circulated by Russian media and government representatives are likely untrue. Such reports may be part of an information warfare strategy by the Russian Federation.

The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region has been ongoing since August 6 at 12:00 PM ET. As the portal "Super Express" reminds, Ukrainians have entered enemy territory without much difficulty, capturing successive localities. Although the Kremlin assures that everything is under control, there is no confirmation of this. In response to Ukrainian actions, Vladimir Putin and his subordinates have adopted a tactic of ignoring the facts and pretending to maintain a firm grip on the situation at all times.

Russian media have been instructed not to give too much attention to the Ukrainian offensive. The Atlantic Council emphasizes that the recent edition of one of the flagship Russian TV programs shows how uncomfortable this topic is. In the program, a member of parliament bluntly described the tactics and approach of the Russian authorities.

Putin himself consistently pretends that everything is under control. He continues his previously planned trips to signal that nothing troubling is happening in the country and there is no reason to panic.

The Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region was kept in strict secrecy, even from Ukraine's allies. Volodymyr Zelensky said that if the world knew about the plans, many would consider that "it is unrealistic and that it crosses the supposedly reddest of all red lines that Russia has."

The Russian side does not believe such assurances. Kremlin representatives repeatedly claim that the West knew about the operation and actively participated in it. The newspaper "Izvestia," citing its sources in Russian intelligence, stated that the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland were behind the organization of the attack.