Russian propaganda sparks iPhone fury: Putin supporters smash devices in bold protest
At times unsettling, at times amusing, Russian propaganda consistently ignites curiosity and astonishment. Alarmingly, numerous individuals mindlessly follow not only Vladimir Putin, but also a handful of other notable Russian figures. Anti-Western sentiment seems to be on the rise among the populace, as demonstrated by a man who smashed his iPhone.
12:41 PM EST, December 5, 2023
Directed by the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin, Russian propaganda significantly influences the country's governance. Employing this tool, the autocratic leader manages to convince citizens that his military forces are unbeatable and that Russia is merely playing a defensive role in response to the aggression of the West and the United States.
The machinery of Propaganda operates so effectively that a majority of Russian citizens ardently support President Vladimir Putin's actions, reflected in his ~80% approval rating a few months ago.
Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, shared a video on social media of a Russian man destroying his American-made phone.
"Vladimir Putin is my president and this is my response to the sanctions!" the Russian citizen declared, smashing his iPhone with a hammer. He chose a personally symbolic location - a site adorned with the letter Z, a war symbol of the Russian Federation.
Propaganda's advice: Choose products made in China
For several months, Russian propaganda has been preaching that anything Western or coming from the United States is undesirable. In a recent instance, Russian propagandists encouraged their audience to refrain from buying European products, promoting a move towards Chinese counterparts.
Margarita Simonyan, director of Kremlin-controlled RT television, promoted imitations on the television program hosted by Vladimir Solovyov.
"I bought three pairs of 'Gucci' shoes for only 2000 rubles (around $24). They're superb and were quite possibly made somewhere in China. As a policy, I now purchase only knock-offs. It's like buying a train ticket from a conductor and then setting off on foot," she elaborated.
