EUvsDisinfo: Multidirectional Communication (original title: An Act of Communication)
On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian forces entered the Kursk region inside Russia. This operation is part of Ukraine's legitimate efforts to defend itself and to restore its territorial integrity and integrity after Russia's full-scale military invasion in February 2022. At the time (of this article's publication), Ukrainian armed forces have taken control of more than two dozen settlements in territory of about 1000 sq. km. in the Kursk Region.
The Kremlin matrix is cracking
The Ukraine breach sent a strong message, among other recent events, and exposed cracks in the message the Kremlin is pushing – for allegedly having complete control over events in Russia.
Prigozhin's march on Moscow a year ago revealed internal fissures and the authorities' inability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Multiple Ukrainian missile and drone strikes against military installations deep inside Russia – such as the Lipetsk strike and the pushing out of the Russian Black Sea Fleet from Crimea – repeatedly disproved the Kremlin-fueled delusion about his own invulnerability.
This set of events proves that Putin's infamous red lines are pure bluff, that Russian authorities believe their own propaganda more than field reports, and that Russian military forces are so spread out that they are unable to defend their own your land in the war provoked by Putin. How does the Kremlin react to the developing situation? By staging a meeting around the long table – moreover, on a recording, during which Putin is fed lies about how the situation is under control.
Further into the trap
Events in the Kursk region are developing rapidly. The Kremlin's propaganda machine is also in high gear and spreading disinformation in an attempt to distort what is actually happening on the ground.
The pro-Kremlin media called Ukraine's military operation “barbaric” and “terrorist“ and made the baseless accusation that the operation was targeting civilians – a tactic that Russia itself has used repeatedly in Ukraine. Unsubstantiated narratives were also spread in the media that the operation was “planned and directed by the US” with the implication that Ukraine is Washington's puppet. An accusation was even made that NATO “directly controls“ the entry into Kursk with fabricated claims of the participation of French and Polish troops. Manipulators also resorted to extreme absurdities – that this “last battle” in Kursk would have led to the fall of Ukraine and doom for NATO, Europe and the USA.
These lies serve to demonize Ukraine's defensive actions, portray Russia as a victim, and deceive the audience into believing that Russia is fighting against all Western powers. In reality, Ukraine is acting properly within its right of self-defense – according to the UN Charter – in response to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
One action reveals the whole plot
The Ukrainian offensive in Kursk is not only an impressive military move, but also a means of communication in many directions. Such acts serve as an effective counter to the Kremlin's ongoing attempts to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, damage its relations with allies, and impose an unjust peace on the Kremlin's terms.
The offensive also demonstrated to the Ukrainian public and allies alike that Ukraine remains capable and determined in its fight. What's more, this advance cuts through the many layers of manipulation and fog of disinformation spread by the Kremlin. The Kremlin's lies and weaknesses were exposed and we all witnessed it. As the President said Zelensky – “Russia brought war to others, now war is returning to her at home.“
EUvsDisinfo/ translation: Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria