An expert on Russian propaganda says the Kremlin is using two main strategies to legitimise atrocities in Ukraine
Adam Servera, an analyst from the Kremlin watch program, has told Ticker NEWS of the two main strategies Russia is using to control its population with propaganda.
The first strategy involves support for Russia’s aggression, which has been displayed since the start of the war. Servera points to Russian accusations of Nazism in Ukraine as an obvious example of this.
He says when you look at the diversity of ethnic groups defending the nation you can see how ridiculous this assertion is.
“You can just see It’s a Kremlin tabulation, and sort of this … parallel universe,” says Servera.
The second strategy may be less familiar to Western eyes. Its main focus is to distract the population from the war.
This type of propaganda is targeted at both older and younger generations, and is spread amongst the population via music videos, and on social media platforms such as TikTok.
You may recognize the tune of this Luhansk People’s Republic song – it’s that sea shanty thing
Servera says this propaganda usually emphasises Russian imperialism and Soviet sentiment.
A recent example is of a viral online song, Wellerman by Nathan Evans, which has had the original lyrics altered to reflect Russian nationalist messages.
“It refers to a great state, strong spirit, rich nature and white plains, which I personally find very funny because Putin’s regime has done its best to devastate Russian nature.”
Adam servera
The video clip features women dressed in traditional Russian World War One nurse outfits who dance in a ‘Z’ shaped formation. This refers to the notorious Z symbol which has been used by Russians to support the war in Ukraine.
“The Kremlin’s propaganda obviously has no limits. Humanity is being replaced on a daily basis by the virality of the content that is supposed to justify and legitimise the atrocities that Russia is committing in Ukraine,” says Servera.
Do Russian people believe Kremlin propaganda?
Servera says it is difficult to know for sure whether Russian citizens believe the propaganda they are fed because of the climate of repression in the nation.
But official reports from the Kremlin reveal most Russians see the war as part of a historical struggle against Nazism.
Russian war supporters expect “a decisive victory over fascism” says Servera.
According to Meduza, which is a Russian platform not tied to the government, President Putin’s media team has concluded there are no good prospects for ending the war.
There is no way “to both meet public expectation and preserve Putin’s popularity,” says Servera.
200,000 people pack a Moscow stadium to support the war in Ukraine. PHOTO: ABC NEWS
This point was raised by Australian journalist Peter Greste on Ticker NEWS. He says Russian propaganda was “going to make things more difficult for Russia to back down, not easier.”
However, despite this speculation there is still no way of knowing for sure how Russian citizens really feel.
“Various sociological surveys have been published on Russian attitudes towards the war, many of which show overwhelming support for Putin’s aggression.”
“However many experts point out that given the strong influence of propaganda and repression in the country, these polls are unlikely to reflect reality,” says Servera.
Will Russian propaganda finish with Putin?
Servara doesn’t believe Russian propaganda will finish when Putin eventually relinquishes power.
He says Russia has a long history of oppressions that stretches beyond the reign of Putin.
“My grandfather in 1945 saw Russian or Kremlin tanks invading Slavic countries. My father saw them in 1968. And I now heard them when we were being evacuated from Kyiv.”
Adam Servara
According to Servara, change will not be achieved by simply overthrowing the leader. Instead, there has to be an evolution of the entire governmental mechanism.
“It’s very hard to see a change coming anytime soon” he says.
In Short:
– Illinois has sued Trump to stop National Guard deployment to Chicago amid legal concerns about military presence.
– Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act if local officials obstruct federal responses to unrest.
Illinois has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump to prevent the federal deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.
The challenge marks the state’s fourth legal action concerning the federal military’s presence in urban areas. Several courts in Oregon and California have already suggested that Trump may have overstepped his authority in similar cases.As National Guard troops from Texas were reportedly in transit to Chicago, the Illinois government expressed concerns over the situation, particularly after recent orders that would federalize local National Guard members.
The U.S. District Judge has permitted the federal government to continue its troop deployment while Illinois’ legal proceedings are ongoing.
In a further escalation, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act. He stated this could occur if local officials impede federal responses to unrest.
While the law permits direct military engagement in civilian law enforcement, it has rarely been invoked since the early ’90s.
Legal Concerns
Democratic leaders argue that the president’s deployment aims to undermine local governance under the guise of law enforcement. Opponents claim that Trump is mischaracterising urban areas as unsafe, using military action to militarise cities unjustly.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker accused Trump of exacerbating tensions and using troops for political gains. Conversely, Trump maintains that the conditions in Chicago necessitate federal intervention due to rising crime rates.
In Short:
– Ticker Studios launches The Connector, hosted by Belinda Coates, enhancing Australia-UK opportunities through dialogue.
– It comes as Prime Minister Albanese promotes strong ties with London, emphasising cultural and economic connections between the nations.
Ticker Studios launches The Connector, hosted by Belinda Coates, facilitating Australia-UK opportunities through dialogue.
The new show highlights leaders and ideas enhancing connections between the two nations during a pivotal period.It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s efforts to strengthen ties with London underline the partnership’s commercial and cultural importance. With 1.1 million UK-born residents in Australia and A$4.2 trillion in superannuation funds invested in UK infrastructure, these connections grow increasingly vital.
Belinda Coates brings extensive experience in executive and advisory roles across various sectors. She is driven to reshape industries and create opportunities on both sides of the world.
Ahron Young, CEO of Ticker Studios, stated that now is the ideal time to highlight the talent and capital flowing between Australia and the UK. The Connector aims to spotlight innovators and changemakers bridging industries and borders.
“With so much talent and capital flowing between Australia and the UK, this is exactly the right time to tell these stories. The Connector will spotlight the innovators, leaders, and change-makers building bridges across industries and borders.”
Focus on people
Coates explained the programme’s focus on people, showcasing visionaries shaping the future and exploring collaboration’s role in generating opportunities. The show aims to inspire with stories highlighting resilience, growth, and ambition.
“This show isn’t about dry trade figures or policy—it’s about people. We’ll showcase the visionaries shaping the future in both countries, explore how collaboration sparks opportunity, and inspire audiences with stories of resilience, growth, and shared ambition.”
The Connector will debut on Ticker’s global streaming network this month, with new episodes released weekly. It will feature guest experts from various sectors, addressing relevant topics like housing affordability and building stock revitalisation.