Russia's state-owned media were instructed to prepare the population for losing the war: NATO is to blame for everything, as always

The latest manual prepared by the presidential administration for state and pro-government media, among other things, tells how to cover the impending Ukrainian counteroffensive, reports Meduza.

Photo: IStock

The Kremlin is asking propagandists “not to underestimate the announced counter-offensive of Ukraine with NATO support” and not to say that “Kyiv is supposedly not ready for a counter-offensive.” The pro-government media, on the contrary, should focus on the fact that Western countries supply Kyiv with weapons and support Ukraine in every possible way.

Why such a narrative

Two sources close to the presidential administration explained that there is a simple explanation for such coverage of the impending counteroffensive.
If the offensive is unsuccessful, it will be possible to say that the Russian army skillfully repelled an attack that was superior in power. The price of this victory will rise greatly.

If Ukraine, with the help of weapons from the United States and Europe, achieves some success and occupies territories, their loss will also be understandable: the entire West has concentrated colossal efforts on the front, but its successes - compared to these efforts - are very modest. That is, the Russian army, in general, also coped.

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In the same manual, the Kremlin “advises” propagandists “not to focus on information about the amounts of funds” that are directed from the Russian budget to restore infrastructure in the occupied and annexed Ukrainian territories.

It is not known for certain how much the Russian Federation will spend on this, it is likely that the amount will exceed $12,5 billion. Already in the first quarter of 2023, the budget deficit amounted to more than $25 billion.

Instead, propagandists will talk about how problems are being “solved” in Russia, such as repairs in schools, kindergartens and hospitals. Judging by the manual, the Kremlin is confident that such stories will have "public approval."

“It is clear that there will be problems with the economy, and it is clear why. Spending on a "special operation" will not go anywhere. First of all, the costs for the same infrastructure will be cut: it will turn out that they are repairing in new regions, but not in old ones. The reaction of the inhabitants of the Russian regions is understandable: they took away from us. It is better not to show in specific amounts how much was taken. This has already happened with Crimea, ”explains one of the sources close to the AP.

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His words are confirmed by the data of an internal Russian poll by the Levada Center in 2017. At that time, a significant proportion of respondents (41%) stated that budgetary investments in Crimea are taken “by reducing spending on education, health care, science, indexation of salaries and pensions.” More than half (55%) of those who answered in this way believed that the authorities, by financing Crimea by reducing social spending in Russian regions, are acting incorrectly. Moreover, according to VTsIOM polls in the same year, 84% of Russians were against additional funding for Crimea.

Cancellation of parades

Another "undesirable topic" for propaganda unexpectedly became the rehearsals of the parade on the occasion of May 9th.

The Kremlin, in its manual, really “recommends” propagandists “not to exaggerate” the topic of preparing for the holiday.

In several regions of Russia, "for security reasons" have already decided to completely abandon the holiday. In addition, the traditional procession of the Immortal Regiment will not be held in Moscow and other cities.

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One of the political strategists collaborating with the authorities suggested that the point is not only that the authorities cannot ensure the safety of events, but most likely there is not enough equipment in 2023, fewer equipment will participate in the parade, and the one that is, for the most part part will be old: "Modern machines are most likely needed at the front."

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