Girlfriends Z: Russia’s Propaganda Attempt to Infect Women with Patriotism

Since in Russia a large percentage of younger people and especially women do not show much interest in the war in Ukraine, propaganda decided to change this fact – especially since the end of the war is not in sight, writes the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. In order to reach the fairer sex and “infect” it with patriotism, the strategists have invented a new format – similar to the already existing show “Girlfriends” (“Girlfriends”), which enjoys enormous popularity with the discussed topics related to sex and gender relations.

Who are the three “girlfriends”

The new show “Girlfriends Z”, which appeared at the end of May on YouTube, features prominent ladies such as the Kremlin-loyal military reporter Anastasia Kashevarova, a former adviser to Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin; Ekaterina Agranovich – producer of the propaganda series “Mobilization”, who says that supporting strong, young and beautiful women is very important, and Ulyana Strizh, who defines herself as a volunteer and helps the Russian military in the territory of the annexed Donbass.

As Agranovich points out, they were inspired for the show by their “mutual friend” Vladlen Tatarsky, a “war correspondent” who was killed in St. Petersburg. He said: “We are short of women opinion leaders, young and beautiful, for the military to go after. Nothing else could motivate men more strongly.’

Beautification in the name of troop morale

The three heavily made-up women, who strive to look casual and fun, complain that the “special operation” in Ukraine does not have its own sex symbol – there is no Russian Marilyn Monroe to appear at the front in front of the soldiers and motivate them. The 30-year-old, chicly dressed Ulyana Strizh, who is originally from Ukraine, assures that the soldiers would be happy to explain to a woman with a manicure what their military equipment is – and so they would feel like real men. Kashevarova, on the other hand, tells about a young Dagestani woman, married to a combatant, who was also at the front – as a nurse, but despite everything she was always well made up and thus stimulated all the soldiers.

Another angle from the show noted by FAC: Agranovych explains that there are “real women and real men” in the annexed eastern Ukrainian regions – a clear anti-LGBT propaganda hint. In accordance with their assigned task, the three graces swear by the primordial Russian values. Kashevarova says with a laugh that she loves President Putin, and Agranovich identifies women supporters of the war as the core of “patriotic” civil society.

What is the effect?

Not a word is said about the blows that Russia inflicts on Ukraine. But Kashevarova indignantly points out that Ukraine is waging a large-scale war against Russia and is even killing civilians in the rear, such as in Kursk. However, the women are unanimous that the “uncles” in the Kremlin failed to make the goals of the “operation” understandable to the youth, FAC also writes.

But what is the effect of all the propaganda action? It hardly satisfied the creators of the new format – the viewers define the show as cynical and do not show enough interest in it at all: the first edition was watched by 15,000 people, and only 1,000 subscribed to the YouTube channel.

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2023-07-25 17:08:00
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