Russia's 2024 elections: Propaganda targets Ukrainian soldiers

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It's important to acknowledge that many reports from Russian media and government officials are propaganda tactics. These narratives are components of the information warfare led by the Russian Federation.

In this peculiar advertisement, an actor portraying a Ukrainian soldier instructs his colleagues to fall back, advising them to "Take only the most necessary things."

One of the soldiers grabs a German Shepherd, hoping to bring it along. However, when attempting to board a vehicle with the dog, he's admonished that he was "supposed to take only the most necessary things," leading to a confrontation.

Returning to the trenches, where Russian soldiers make their entrance, they inquire of a soldier who stayed behind with his dog, "Why didn't you flee?" He responds, "I had no choice," while they aim their rifles at him.

The Russian soldier then kneels, pets the dog, and states, "Now you will have a choice," before inserting an election leaflet detailing the presidential elections in Russia directly into the trench.

From March 15 to 17, Russians will head to the polls, marking the first instance in Russian history where the elections will span three days. Notably, voting has already commenced for those participating in the "special military operation" on the front lines in Donbas.

As The Associated Press points out, "The presidential elections in Russia in 2024 are not expected to usher in any changes at the Kremlin."

Given that the majority of opposition activists are either imprisoned or living abroad, and numerous independent media outlets have been shut down, the Kremlin "exercises strict control over the nation's political framework."

It is widely believed that the "71-year-old President Vladimir Putin will solidify his hold on power at least until 2030" come the March elections, according to analyses.

Russian officials first implemented multi-day voting during the 2020 referendum, which allowed Putin to push through constitutional reforms enabling him to aim for an additional two terms. "This, however, signifies the maiden application of multi-day voting in a presidential election," AP emphasizes.

This election will also mark the debut of online voting for presidential elections, with electronic voting arrangements in place across 29 regions.

The election will proceed in Crimea, annexed by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014, and in four southeastern regions recently annexed following a full-scale invasion in 2022—despite incomplete control by Russian forces over these areas. Kyiv and Western countries have decried the decision to hold the vote under these circumstances.

"Putin views these elections as a referendum on his leadership and the war," stated Alexei Navalny shortly before his death. "Let's disrupt his agenda, ensuring that on March 17, the focus isn't on a fabricated outcome but on a clear demonstration that the majority wishes for Putin's departure," he implored.

Observers of the presidential elections in Russia in 2024 harbor little optimism for a transparent and fair electoral process.