Russia and Ukraine

[pocaracas]

This is a handy guide to the kinds of statements that make up pro-war propaganda, compiled by a Belgian historian.

We could use the list to play Bingo on this thread.

1. We don't want war, we are only defending ourselves!

So let's call it a Special military operation. Got it!

2. Our adversary is solely responsible for this war!

NATO is at our doorstep and threatening to put nukes within range of Moskow! They forced our hand.

]https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/putins-speech-declaring-war-on-ukraine-translated-excerpts]

‘No other option’: Excerpts of Putin’s speech declaring war

Before launching the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II, Putin addressed his nation.
[...]
“Today, I again consider it necessary to come back to the tragic events taking place in the Donbas and the key issue of ensuring Russian security. Let me start with what I said in my address of February 21. I am referring to what causes us particular concern and anxiety – those fundamental threats against our country that year after year, step by step, are offensively and unceremoniously created by irresponsible politicians in the West.

“I am referring to the expansion of the NATO to the east, moving its military infrastructure closer to Russian borders. It is well known that for 30 years we have persistently and patiently tried to reach an agreement with the leading NATO countries on the principles of equal and inviolable security in Europe. In response to our proposals, we constantly faced either cynical deception and lies, or attempts to pressure and blackmail, while NATO, despite all our protests and concerns, continued to steadily expand. The war machine is moving and, I repeat, it is coming close to our borders.”

3. Our adversary's leader is inherently evil and resembles the devil

The Ukrainian government is Nazi and we need to remove them from power.

{Same link as above}
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24...d-excerpts

“What I think is important to emphasise further is that the leading NATO countries, in order to achieve their own goals, support extreme nationalists and Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, who, in turn, will never forgive the Crimeans and Sevastopol residents for choosing reunification with Russia.

“They, of course, will crawl into the Crimea, just like in the Donbas, in order to kill, just as the gangs of Ukrainian nationalists, Hitler’s accomplices, killed defenceless people during the Great Patriotic War. They openly lay claim to a number of other Russian territories.

“The course of events and the incoming information show that Russia’s clash with these forces is inevitable. It is only a matter of time: they are getting ready, they are waiting for the right time. Now they also claim to acquire nuclear weapons. We will not allow this to happen.”

4. We are defending a noble cause, not our particular interests!

No one wants another Nazi induced war in Europe. We need to stamp that out before it even begins.
{Same as above}

5. The enemy is purposefully committing atrocities; if we are making mistakes this happens without intention

Ukrainian army uses civililan structures to shield themselves from our bombs... so what can we do? We bomb hospitals and schools.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-release...-areas-new

Ukraine: military endangering civilians by locating forces in residential areas - new research

Schools and hospitals used as military bases by Ukrainian forces
[...]
‘Being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from respecting international humanitarian law’ - Agnès Callamard

The Ukrainian military has endangered Ukrainian civilians by establishing bases and operating weapons systems in residential areas - including in schools and hospitals - as it has sought to repel the Russian invasion, Amnesty International said today.

Ukraine’s tactics have violated international humanitarian law as they’ve turned civilian objects into military targets. The ensuing Russian strikes in populated areas have killed civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure.

Not every Russian attack documented by Amnesty has followed this pattern. In certain locations in which Amnesty concluded that Russia had committed war crimes - including in some areas of the city of Kharkiv - Amnesty did not find evidence of Ukrainian forces located in civilian areas unlawfully targeted by the Russian military.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-release...-areas-new

6. The enemy makes use of illegal weapons

Ukraine is researching forbidden weapons.
Remember that? https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-m...s-12561787

Ukraine war: Moscow says it has found biological weapons in Ukraine - but US dismisses claims as 'absurd propaganda'

Moscow called on Washington to explain "Ukrainian biological weapons labs" but the US accused Russia of seeking retroactive pretexts for the war.

7. We suffer few losses, the enemy's losses are considerable

Sorry, I can only find "The West"'s point of view on this. You tell us how high the human cost has been according to Russian media.

8. Recognized intellectuals and artists support our cause

Again, this requires the insider's view. All I get are the artists that have fled Russia and are ashamed or furious about this situation.

9. Our cause is sacred

I repeat what Helios said about the Russion Orthodox Church.
https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88916]https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88916]https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88916

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) did not hesitate to throw its support behind the Kremlin’s war against a neighboring Orthodox nation. Far from wavering, that support has only grown more strident as the war progressed.

The reason is not just that the church is used to giving its blessing to any actions taken by the country’s leadership. Quite simply, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, head of the ROC, is betting on Putin’s tanks to preserve the institution of the church throughout the fallen empire.

10. Whoever casts doubt on our propaganda helps the enemy and is a traitor

https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-warn...022-03-16/

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday delivered a stark warning to Russian "traitors" who he said the West wanted to use as a "fifth column" to destroy the country.

The Kremlin leader assailed Russians who he said were more mentally in tune with the West than Russia, and said the Russian people would quickly be able to tell the difference between traitors and patriots.

"Of course they (the West) will try to bet on the so-called fifth column, on traitors - on those who earn their money here, but live over there. Live, not in the geographical sense, but in the sense of their thoughts, their slavish thinking," he told government ministers, three weeks into Russia's war with Ukraine.

"Any people, and especially the Russian people, will always be able to distinguish the true patriots from the scum and the traitors, and just to spit them out like a midge that accidentally flew into their mouths."

All that to show that Russia is a textbook example of pro-war propaganda. Gotcha!