Ukraine challenges Kremlin's narrative amid Kursk region conflict

According to Russian propaganda media, there are reports of robberies and murders committed by "fanatics" in the territories occupied by Russia. However, when the first Western journalists reached the Ukrainian-occupied town of Sudzha, they heard residents say: "Putin should agree with Zelensky."

- The operation in the Kursk region sends a message beneficial to Kyiv, indicating that it is still possible to challenge the red lines drawn by the Kremlin, and that Russia is not an invincible power. We see that the Russians are not able to push back the Ukrainian forces. They were not prepared for this scenario. These are more cracks in the image of a superpower - says Dr. Michał Marek, founder of the Center for Research on Contemporary Security Environment Foundation and an expert in counteracting disinformation, in an interview with Wirtualna Polska.

- However, there is no clear winner in the information sphere regarding the Kursk operation. We do not have the tools to judge who wins the information war or is more effective here. In my opinion, both sides are mainly addressing people who already have established views on the war - cautions Dr. Marek.

In recent days, Ukrainian media have published interviews with Russian prisoners from the Kursk region. Many of these prisoners are conscripts who state they stood no chance against "professionals fighting on the front for two years." According to Russian propaganda media, "Ukrainian Nazis" and even allegedly "mercenaries from Poland" are fighting on the Ukrainian side.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian services have shown recordings documenting their soldiers distributing food to Russian seniors and unchaining dogs abandoned by Russian residents of the Kursk region. "These recordings are staged. It is hard to refuse help if it is offered by a man armed from head to toe," states the official website of the Kursk region administration.

A popular Telegram service "Russia Now" (with 1.7 million readers) posted an interview with a man named Ivan. He recounted that he walked for 37 miles and sneaked between checkpoints to reach his mother. She lived in Sudzha (seized by Ukraine) but did not leave her home, not wanting to abandon her cats.

Dr. Marek assesses that the message about a significant number of surrendering Russian soldiers guarding the border will not reach the average Russian citizen. In his opinion, the Ukrainian side also tries to exaggerate the poor condition of the Russian army. Both sides are continuously fighting in the information field.

- However, it is the Russian side that uses disinformation methods and stimulates extremely negative emotions among their audiences towards certain groups or nations. Russia has limited capabilities to reach the masses of Western citizens with its narrative. According to it, the effects of the Ukrainian operation are minimal and insignificant. The Russian propaganda apparatus promotes messages as a form of pressure on the West to stop Ukrainians from continuing the operation. Is the success of such actions possible? I doubt it - concludes the WP interviewee.

So far, the Ukrainian side has managed to effectively challenge the initial Russian messages about looting and alleged crimes committed in the territories occupied by Ukrainian forces. The Russians themselves are not making such claims. - Let Putin agree with your Zelensky - said 57-year-old Russian woman Marina. She addressed Ukrainian soldiers who were accompanying "The Washington Post" journalists.

- We really want some kind of agreement, guys. "You have come to us," and we thank you for treating us very well, but you must understand, we want to return to our children, to our homes. Do you understand? We want things to be resolved in a good way - added the woman. This statement from a resident of Sudzha occupied by Ukrainian troops was posted by the American newspaper.

Other Russians said they did not know anyone who had died during the operation, but they would like their town to return under Russian control. - I have a request: photograph our Sudzha and send it to Putin - said 65-year-old Tamara. - Show it to our president - she added (without explaining what action Putin should take).

Although Russian civilians did not claim they were mistreated by Ukrainian troops, they were not spared the hardships of war. Since August 6th, they have been sleeping in a basement adapted as a shelter.