Russian authorities’ explanation that Ukraine’s deadly attack on Makijivka was due to the use of mobile phones by its own soldiers is met with strong opposition.
Propaganda celebrity Semjon Pegov, alias WarGonzo, was personally awarded the ‘Order of Courage’ by Vladimir Putin, for his ‘courage and selfless professional practice’, just over two weeks ago.
The otherwise Putin-loyal blogger and correspondent strongly opposes the Kremlin’s explanation.
– It looks like a normal attempt to designate soldiers as scapegoats, he writes in a Telegram post according to Reuters.
He claims that the Ukrainians had several ways of finding out the location of the barracks.
– Can use them as a back cover
Lieutenant Colonel and war school principal Palle Ydstebø points out that there is a difference between complaining about war and the war itself.
– Aggressive military bloggers can criticize everything except Putin. The reason they are allowed to continue may be that they are relatively controllable and act as a harmless valve for any frustration that exists, she says.
– The cost will be high
Military bloggers have complained, among other things, that the mobilized receive little training before being sent to the front, as well as the fact that they are relatively poorly equipped.
– Some of them may want to cooperate and conform to the official narrative, while others are critical because the war is going badly and the Russians are not caring enough and exploiting what they have.
When asked what Putin can do to silence them, Ydstebø replies that the simplest thing would be to get Russia forward in the war.
– It will attract them and create enthusiasm. If that doesn’t work, they need to take over the internet and social media.
– But I think Putin lives well with bloggers. They can be the argument he can use to gain better control within his own ranks and have him as a back cover to make bigger demands on the military, he adds.
I didn’t want a break
Even after Russian authorities announced a ceasefire this week, military bloggers have hit back with fierce criticism, according to the ISW think tank.
Several military bloggers point out that Russian soldiers do not want a ceasefire at all and write that it is an unnecessary and defeatist step that is unlikely to succeed.
Biden: – Putin is out of breath
“A milblogger who was formerly with Russian units in Bakhmut used genocidal and dehumanizing rhetoric in response to the ceasefire, and believes Russian soldiers are unwilling to compromise: they want to ‘kill all people in uniform.’” Such statements of bloggers who usually align with Putin on the war is substantial and undermines Putin’s ability to present Russia as the side willing to negotiate,” they write in their Jan. 5 assessment.
– Problems understanding
Nupi senior researcher and Russia expert Jakub M. Godzimirski point out that Putin has been in this game for a long time and is good at removing those who are too much trouble.
– Russian authorities have not invested in full control of the media landscape, especially the Internet and Telegram. It can be done deliberately, because you cannot close all communication channels. You have to have a safety valve, he points out.
Zelensky: – He will try to turn the war around
Godzimirski believes bloggers probably have a hard time understanding that a state that was until recently a superpower is unable to defeat the opposition.
– But they have no power, apart from making critical statements. They become like a kind of whip that Putin can use to motivate those closest to him.
He points out that military bloggers, like Putin, aim to win the war.
– They have the same goal and are basically loyal to the regime. They also want to win the war as fast as possible without losing too many people and too much equipment.
Furthermore, Godzimirski explains that bloggers want to do more war work. They support war itself, but not war.
– They believe that more resources should be used and that Russia should act harder. In other words, they motivate the regime to win the war.
