Podcast Summary
Russian Disinformation Campaign and Denial Among Russians: Despite close ties and large Ukrainian expat population in Russia, Russians are being fed propaganda denying the reality of the war in Ukraine, leading to disbelief and resistance when confronted with truth.
As the war in Ukraine intensifies, a significant misinformation campaign is originating from Russia, leading to denial and resistance among Russians when they are told the truth by their family members in Ukraine. This disconnect is particularly shocking due to the close ties between the two countries and the large number of Ukrainian expats living in Russia. A story that illustrates this phenomenon is that of Misha Kadsuren, a Ukrainian man who was unable to convince his father in Russia that the war was real and that his family was in danger. Despite evidence to the contrary, Misha's father refused to believe him and instead believed the Russian propaganda that portrayed the Ukrainian government as Nazi-controlled. This denial, fueled by Putin's repeated use of the Nazi label, is a part of a larger Russian disinformation campaign aimed at distorting the truth about the war in Ukraine.
Putin's nationalist and Nazi rhetoric fuels Russian denial of Ukraine invasion: Despite evidence, many Russians deny Ukraine invasion due to Putin's manipulative messaging and state-controlled media.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is using nationalist and Nazi rhetoric to justify his invasion of Ukraine, and many Russians are denying the reality of the war based on state-controlled media messaging. Misha's father, for example, believes Russian soldiers are conducting a rescue operation and liberating Ukrainians from a repressive Nazi government. Despite evidence to the contrary, he maintains this belief due to Putin's messaging carried by Russian television. The pervasiveness of this denial is evident in the significant street protests against the war in large Russian cities, but many Russians continue to believe the war is a fabrication orchestrated by Ukraine. The consequences of asking questions or challenging this narrative can be severe, making it difficult to gauge public sentiment accurately. Overall, Putin's messaging and the resulting denial of reality among many Russians are major obstacles to resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Historical and cultural background shaping Russian disbelief towards war in Ukraine: Despite economic instability and lack of democratic institutions during the 1990s, Russians prioritize food security, safety, and trust in their government over democratic ideals, leading to disbelief towards the war in Ukraine
The current Russian population's disbelief and denial towards the reality of the war in Ukraine can be attributed to a complex mix of historical, economic, and political factors. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s left many Russians feeling uncertain, angry, and humiliated. The economic instability and rampant capitalism during that time caused widespread poverty and a lack of trust in the government. Vladimir Putin capitalized on this situation and established the Putin era, offering Russians a sense of stability and national pride. However, many in the West saw this period as an opportunity for Russia to create democratic institutions. Despite this, the Russian population's experiences during the 1990s shaped their priorities, making food security, safety, and trust in institutions more important than democratic ideals. The current denial and disbelief towards the war in Ukraine can be understood in the context of this historical and cultural background.
Putin's crackdown on independent media and opposition voices: Putin's regime has intensified censorship, using a sledgehammer approach to limit access to independent news sources like the BBC Russian language service, highlighting Putin's increasing authoritarianism.
Vladimir Putin's rule in Russia has been characterized by his efforts to establish a "dictatorship of the law," fight corruption, and strengthen the central government. Putin's popularity stemmed from promising stability and delivering economic growth, largely due to high oil prices. However, his regime has been criticized for its crackdown on independent media and opposition voices. Initially, Putin allowed some pockets of free media online and on radio. But with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin's censorship has intensified, using a "sledgehammer" approach to control the narrative and limit access to independent news sources like the BBC Russian language service. This shift highlights Putin's increasing authoritarianism and his determination to maintain tight control over information and public discourse.
Russia's Information Crackdown and Manipulation of Public Opinion: Russia's government is controlling information within the country by banning independent media and social media, leading to a near-monopoly on information and manipulation of public opinion through denial and false information, with significant psychological impact on Russians and potential global tension.
The Russian government is tightening its grip on information within the country by ordering independent media to stop broadcasting, banning social media platforms, and criminalizing independent reporting on the war in Ukraine. This has resulted in a near-monopoly on information, with only Putin's version of events being presented to Russians. The example of the maternity hospital attack in Mariupol illustrates Russia's efforts to manipulate public opinion by denying responsibility and spreading false information. The psychological impact of this propaganda on Russians, including family members trying to share the truth, is significant. The war is now dangerously close to NATO's border, adding to the global tension.
Russian Missile Attack Kills 35 in Ukraine, Mariupol Suffers Devastating Losses: Russian forces continue to escalate the conflict in Ukraine, resulting in civilian deaths and displacement, as well as efforts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty through local government takeovers.
The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate with devastating consequences for civilians. A missile attack on a base training foreign fighters killed at least 35 people and wounded 134. The city of Mariupol, encircled by Russian troops, has seen over 2,100 residents killed and has been without basic necessities for over 10 days. Russian forces have also kidnapped two Ukrainian mayors, replacing them with Russian appointees to gain control over local governments. These actions are part of a larger strategy to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and impose Russian rule. This daily episode was produced by Astha Chaturvedi, Diana Wynne, and Caitlin Roberts, with contributions from Rob Zivko and Michael Simon Johnson. It was edited by Mark George and Lisa Chow, with original music by Miriam Lozano and engineering by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brumberg and Ben Landsberg of Wonderly. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
