What does Russian propaganda look like?
The elevated approval rate of Putin and Russian hostility towards Ukraine among the citizens of the Russian Federation stems from the misleading information broadcast by Russian TV networks. It is quite simple to convey a sweeping concept in a brief moment. However, it is challenging, given that virtually all TV stations disseminate false information widely.
My media outlet – this enterprise amasses over 10,000 ratings (GRP – gross rating point, representing the total audience exposure) monthly, capturing nearly 95-100% of the overall viewership. Evidently, recurrent messaging such as “Putin is excellent,” “Ukraine is governed by a junta,” “We are tasked with fostering the Russian sphere of influence,” and similar statements achieve an average of over 25 exposures daily.
Public confidence in the Russian Federation
The creators, utilizing their promotional efforts, managed to market a commodity with 6000-8000 ratings each month, reaching 92-95% of the population every month. This resulted in roughly 16 to 21 exposures per week. In this segment, the market share for the advertised item approached 80%.
The backing of Putin and the campaign against Ukraine by 82-83% of the population is attributable to the intense propaganda and driven by the sway of media influence. There are simply no alternative justifications for the widespread endorsement of Putin and the current Russian administration by the populace of Russia and Donbas.
Should Russian and Donbas TV stations reduce the prevalence of inaccurate narratives and extensive disinformation concerning Ukraine, support for the Russian regime would diminish rapidly.
Leadership of the DPR – Kremlin operatives
The self-declared appointment of Oleksandr Boroday as DPR Prime Minister unmistakably signifies the Kremlin’s involvement in Donbas affairs. Regardless of Putin’s disavowal of Russian intelligence services and the deployment of Russian soldiers within Ukraine, Borodai validates his blatant deceit. The presence of the Russian political consultant within the separatist movement in Donbas instantaneously dispelled any lingering uncertainties.
The “Propaganda Minister” has consistently advocated for the partition of Ukraine. He is now illustrating the transition from mere words to concrete actions.
Borodai is a graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Between 1993 and 1994, he served as an expert at the Russian Reform Fund. From the early part of 1994, he functioned as a military correspondent for RIA Novinya, reporting on the backdrop of the Chechen conflict.
In 1997, Rotsi became a military commentator for the newspaper “Zavtra.” In 1998, he primarily operated as a freelance PR advisor. He participated in upwards of ten electoral campaigns across various regions.
He gained recognition from the consulting firm “Sociomaster” for managing crisis scenarios. In 2002, he was appointed as an advisor to the FSB director on information policy and specialized projects. According to our sources, Borodai received recognition prior to the Beslan operation in 2004.
During the Crimean events, Borodai was noted by the late Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aksionov, and subsequently openly acknowledged his role in the annexation of Crimea.
His longtime associate is Igor Strelkov-Girkin, former Minister of Defense of the DPR and a former military specialist.
In 1993, the family completed studies at the Moscow State Historical and Archival Institute. Having engaged in military engagements in Transnistria in 1992, in Bosnia from autumn 1992 to early 1993, in Chechnya, and establishing special factories in other regions of Russia.
From 2006 to 2010, he repeatedly served in special forces units across Europe, Latin America, and Northern Asia. His most recent posting was in the division combating international terrorism within the FSB of Russia.
In Crimea, he was part of combat teams tasked with decommissioning military installations and, in collaboration with Borodai, oversaw investigations conducted by Life News and Rossiya TV channel.
These “friends” have been honing political strategies for quite some time. As far back as 1999, a group of individuals, including reporters from the newspaper “Zavtra,” visited Dagestan, preparing accounts of the purges of Wahhabi elements, and the First Chechen War.
Specialized endeavors and schemes are the preferred tactics of Kremlin operatives. Prior to any pronouncements, allegations of child sacrifice were commonly circulated. Simply consider Beslan and observe the roads in Donbass. Are you discerning anything favorable?
Beslan. Restart
Terrorism and deceptive maneuvers have long been a menace associated with the Russian FSB. The probe into the terrorist act at Beslan School No. 1 remains unresolved, and those responsible have not faced justice. The prosecutor’s office attributed the disruption of the criminal inquiry to the “Mothers of Beslan” due to the occurrence of a fire at the school, which subsequently became the primary cause of death for the majority of the hostages.
To neutralize 20 militants, Putin caused the demise of 334 civilians, predominantly minors.
Children aged 1 to 17 years – 186 fatalities, approximately 500 injuries. Relatives, guests, and friends of students – 118 deaths. School uniformed staff – 17 deaths. Special forces operatives of the FSB TsSN – 10 deaths, 28 injuries. MNS military personnel – two deaths, police officers – one.
According to the accounts of participants, the terminal phase of the tragedy commenced on June 3, 2004, at 13:03 with three almost simultaneous shots from grenade launchers from the direction of FSB special forces targeting the school gymnasium. All shelling was carried out using “Dzhmeliv”, RPG-26 and RShG-2, other armored vehicles, as well as tanks.
A substantial fraction of these captives, who escaped from the bombarded and burning gymnasium, perished as a result of the gunfire directed at the school. The majority of the children were incinerated alive. Specifics regarding these incidents are elucidated within the open correspondence of the Amir of the Islamic Shahid Brigade, “Riyadus Salihein Abdallah Shamil.
A pertinent inquiry: why is it invariably attributed to bearded individuals? Did the Russian agencies identify it as a terrorist undertaking by Chechens, instead of acknowledging the involvement of the Russian FSB?
The government of the Russian Federation resolved to scrutinize the act of terrorism and bring the perpetrators to account. However, after the passage of 10 years, the investigation remains protracted and inconclusive. They endured suffering in Beslan, so we are able to exert all efforts to ensure that Russians swiftly forget the Beslan tragedy, and, consequently, the actions of high-ranking government authorities.
Overtly, activists under the influence of ZMI state claim that mothers are being manipulated by undisclosed political entities to generate instability within Russia. Perhaps the term “destabilization” is a preferred catchphrase of the Russian secret services, akin to earlier terms.
Frankly, Operation Beslan is directly linked to Oleksandr Boroday, who promptly assumed the role of advisor to the FSB director on information policy. Indeed, did hundreds of child victims contemplate the path to achieve the “objective”, which might have been orchestrated in advance?
He is currently devising extensive special operations at the Assembly of Ukraine. The recollection of Beslan further underscores the profound ruthlessness and lack of integrity exhibited by this “political strategist.”
Another question: what should Ukrainians be concerned about following Borodai’s tenure as Premier of the DPR?
What is the most significant Ukrainian “Beslan”?
The lingering practices of the Russian secret services will not remain static, and the recurrence of tragic events within Ukrainian territory is highly probable. The proof of occupied Chechnya is spreading to Ukraine.
The criminal undertakings in Donbass entail the same individuals who gained notoriety through their “exploits” in the Russian-Chechen conflict. Consequently, 300,000 Chechens were killed, including 40,000 children. Thousands have encountered the most brutal torturers.
At the Assembly of Ukraine, separatists, concealing themselves behind defenseless children, will persist in destabilizing the state’s framework.
In the vicinity of the Donetsk region, terrorists detonated a bus carrying orphans en route to evacuation.
Beslan, Chechnya… Infecting Ukraine. Evidently, he has plans for a cunning operation, which the Russian media will then ascribe, as in the past, to the “Right Sector” and the Ukrainian military. It is imperative to discern authentic narratives without relying on the unconscious narratives of victims predicated on existing information.
In the wake of the sieges of Budinki, Nord-Ost, and Beslan, Russia will not hesitate to instigate mass killings of the blameless populace to discredit political adversaries.
Therefore, exercise caution! Do not be deceived by the bandits’ fabrications. The situation is transparent: Russian intelligence operatives overlook nothing, and they particularly relish utilizing child victims in their clandestine endeavors.
Tetyana Popova, key partner of the advertising group Mech, partner of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, specifically for UP.
