Unrest in Kursk: Both sides engage in information warfare
According to Russian propaganda media, there are robberies and murders committed by "fanatics" in the occupied territories of Russia. However, when the first Western journalists reached the Ukrainian-occupied town of Sudzha, they heard: "Putin should come to an agreement with Zelensky."
- The operation in the Kursk region generates a beneficial message from Kyiv's perspective, indicating it is still possible to challenge the red lines drawn by the Kremlin freely, and Russia is not an invincible power. We see that the Russians cannot push back the Ukrainian forces. They were not prepared for this scenario. These are more cracks in the image of a superpower - says Dr. Michał Marek, founder of the Centre for Research on Contemporary Security Environment Foundation and an expert in counteracting disinformation, in an interview with Wirtualna Polska.
- However, in the information sphere regarding the Kursk operation, there is no clear winner. We do not have the tools to judge who is winning the information war, who is more effective here. In my opinion, both sides are mainly addressing people who already have established views on the war - cautions Dr. Marek.
The operation in the Kursk region. The sides are fighting in the information field
In recent days, Ukrainian media have published interviews with Russian prisoners from the Kursk region. Many of them are conscripts, stating they stood no chance against "professionals fighting on the front for two years." According to Russian propaganda media, "Ukrainian Nazis" and even allegedly "mercenaries from Poland" are fighting on the Ukrainian side.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian services showed recordings documenting how their soldiers distribute food to Russian seniors and unchain dogs abandoned by Russian residents of the Kursk region. "These recordings are staged. It is hard to refuse help if it is offered by a man armed from head to toe" - states the official website of the Kursk region administration.
A popular Telegram service "Russia Now" (1.7 million readers) posted an interview with a man named Ivan. He recounted that he walked for 60 kilometres and sneaked between checkpoints to reach his own mother. The woman lived in Sudzha (seized by Ukraine) but did not leave her home, not wanting to abandon her cats.
Dr. Marek assesses that the message about a significant number of surrendering Russian soldiers, who were guarding the border, will not reach average Russians. In his opinion, the Ukrainian side also tries to exaggerate the poor condition of the Russian army. Both sides are continuously fighting in the information field.
- However, it is the Russian side that uses disinformation methods and stimulates extremely negative emotions among their audiences towards certain groups or nations. Russia has limited capabilities to reach the masses of citizens of Western countries with its narrative. According to it, the effects of the Ukrainian operation are minimal and insignificant. The Russian propaganda apparatus promotes messages as a form of pressure on the West to stop Ukrainians from continuing the operation. Is the success of such actions possible? I doubt it - concludes the WP interviewee.
"Let Putin come to an agreement with Zelensky"
So far, the Ukrainian side has managed to effectively challenge the initial Russian messages about looting and alleged crimes committed in the territories occupied by Ukrainian forces. The Russians themselves do not make such claims. - Let Putin make an agreement with your Zelensky - said 57-year-old Russian woman Marina. She addressed Ukrainian soldiers protecting "The Washington Post" journalists.
- We really want some kind of agreement, guys. You’ve come to us, thank you, you’re treating us very well. But you must understand, we want to return to our children, to go home, do you understand? We want things to be resolved in a good way - added the woman. The statement of a resident of Sudzha occupied by Ukrainian troops is posted by the American newspaper.
Other Russians said they did not know anyone who had died during the operation. Still, they would like their town to return to Russian control. - I have a request: photograph our Sudzha and send it to Putin - said 65-year-old Tamara. - Show it to our president - she added (without explaining how Putin should react).
Although Russian civilians did not claim Ukrainian troops mistreated them, they were not spared the humiliations of war. Since August 6, they have been sleeping in a basement adapted as a shelter.
