Political scientists in the Kremlin have prepared a manual for propagandists in Moscow, which will be used in the event that the Ukrainian offensive succeeds in breaking through the Russian front, Meduza journalists write, who claim to have received a copy of the document and discussed it with Many sources close to the administration of President Vladimir Putin. .

The document contains strict guidelines on how Russian media should report on the expected Ukrainian offensive, with the Kremlin asking propagandists “not to underestimate Ukraine’s announced NATO-backed counteroffensive” and not to claim that Ukraine is not ready for it.

Russian mass media, on the contrary, urge to focus attention on the fact that Western countries supply weapons to Ukraine and Kyiv “by all means”.

Two sources close to President Putin’s administration explained to “Meduza” on the condition of anonymity that it is a simple excuse to talk like this about the future offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces:

• if he does not succeed, then it will be possible to say that the Russian army skillfully repelled the attack of its superior forces and thus the recorded heavy losses can be justified;

• if Ukraine achieves certain successes and occupies territories with the help of weapons from the USA and Europe, then their loss will also be clear: the “collective West” has concentrated huge resources on the front, but its successes will be presented as very great. modest compared to the amount of equipment sent to Kyiv.

Russian propaganda offered to put a kerchief on the drum regarding spending on the annexed territories

In the same manual, the Kremlin “advises” propagandists not to pay attention to the sums allocated from the Russian state budget for the restoration of infrastructure in the occupied Ukrainian territories, declared annexed by Putin last year. It is unclear how much they will amount to. .

The new guidelines in this regard represent a paradigm shift, as until now Russian propaganda has generally praised reconstruction efforts in the occupied Ukrainian territories, but now there are persistent fears that the amount, estimated by some to be more than a trillion rubles, could cause popular discontent as the budget deficit Russia exploded due to war spending.

Instead, the propagandists ask to talk about how to solve problems inside Russia, for example, repairing schools, kindergartens and hospitals. Meduza journalists note that, judging by the instructions in the manual, the Kremlin is confident that such stories will have “public approval.”

“It is clear that there will be problems [cu economia] and it is clear why. The costs of the “special operation” will not go anywhere. First, infrastructure costs will be reduced: it will be seen that repairs are being made in new regions, but not in old ones. ANSWER [a locuitorilor din regiunile rusești] it is clear: it was taken from us. It is better not to indicate in exact quantities how much was taken. This has already happened with Crimea,” explains one of the sources close to the Kremlin.

His statement is confirmed by the data of a survey conducted by the Levada Center in 2017. At that time, a significant share of respondents (41%) claimed that budget investments in Crimea are made “at the expense of reducing costs for education, health care, and science.” , indexation of salaries and pensions”.

Russians envy the Crimeans and fear the Victory Parade

More than half (55%) of those who answered yes believe that the Russian authorities are acting unfairly by financing works in Crimea at the expense of reducing social spending in Russian regions. In addition, according to polls by VTCIOM of the same year, 84% of Russians opposed the allocation of additional funds for Crimea.

Another “unwanted topic” for the Kremlin somewhat unexpectedly became the rehearsals of the parade on May 9, when Russia celebrates the victory in the Second World War, or the “Great Patriotic War”, as it is called in the country led by Vladimir Putin.

The authorities of several regions have already cited “security considerations” and decided to completely cancel the celebration. In addition, the traditional “Regiment of the Immortals” procession will not take place in Moscow and other cities.

One of the political technologists who cooperates with the Russian authorities suggested in a conversation with “Meduza” that the authorities sincerely fear that they will not be able to provide security during demonstrations, but at the same time there will be much less equipment for military parades than in previous years, and that the prevailing most of those who could be exposed would be elderly, which would be noticed by the population.

“Most likely, modern equipment is needed at the front,” he said.

Journalists for the investigative website Meduza, which is banned in Russia, say they have been unable to confirm this information from multiple sources, but in a preparation manual, the Kremlin “recommends” propagandists “not to exaggerate” the topic of preparation for the parade. from May 9.

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