Fifteen years in prison for spreading “false information” about the actions of the Russian armed forces. This is what now threatens anyone in Russia who does not follow the state propaganda on the war in Ukraine, launched by Vladimir Putin and officially presented as a “special operation” to defend the populations of the separatist regions in the east of the country. . This new amendment was passed unanimously on Friday March 4 by the Duma.
One more step in the authorities’ attempt to muzzle any dissenting voices in the country, while rumors suggest the imminent adoption of martial law, which would subject the country to military censorship. Until then, Russian citizens multiplied courageous initiatives to express their opposition to the war. Petitions, open letters to the president, collages of posters or tags on the walls, publications on social networks, resignations in the cultural milieu, cancellations of shows…
And, every day, a few hundred people continued to “protest” in the city centers, despite the risks. In eight days, more than 7,600 people were arrested throughout the country, according to the count of the specialized NGO OVD-Info. Carrying a bag with the inscription “No to war” was enough to be embarked. A video posted on social media even showed children in a police station with their anti-war drawings.
“War was never our choice”
Although the magnitude of the anti-war movement is difficult to estimate, it is not negligible. And the population turns out to be split between those who get their news from the Internet and independent media, mostly opposed to the war, and those who follow Russian TV channels totally controlled by the regime – they generally support the offensive or are in it. indifferent.
“War has never been our choice, sighs Polina, 22, a student in Moscow and member of the first camp. It’s the choice of a mad man who clings to power.” Concierge in a building in the capital, Svetlana, 56, is one of the fans of the head of the Kremlin. “I am very proud of our president, I love him and I trust him, he is very strong. I am not at all worried about the future, I know that with him everything will be fine,” says she asks with conviction.
Marina Litvinovitch, a human rights activist in Russia, is fighting to raise awareness of the situation in Ukraine. “Russian propaganda is very active, that’s why it is very important to spread information about what is really happening, how many people are dying in this war, how many Russian soldiers have been killed and captured…” She said. , “it will be very difficult to change the minds of pro-Putin on the situation, because they believe in the official discourse”.
A dozen blocked media
Alongside the raging state propaganda, the authorities continue to lock down the few media outlets that are still critical of power. The last independent webcast Dojd and Moscow’s iconic Echo radio were blocked and ceased operations. For a week, a dozen media that did not comply with the requirements of the State which prohibits the use of the words “war”, “invasion” and “aggression” to talk about the conflict in Ukraine saw access to their site restricted.
“The propaganda works: we find a significant correlation between trust in the official media and approval of military actions,” said Alexei Minyaylo, who carried out an independent sociological survey. Despite the risks, this 37-year-old political opponent wants to continue campaigning against the invasion of Ukraine. “Everything is just beginning: we are building teams,” he says.
With the intensification of the fighting and its global resonance, will the Russian authorities be able to hide the reality for long? Will the population loyal to Putin continue to support him? “When the coffins of the soldiers begin to return to Russia, attitudes will begin to change, estimates Alexeï Minyaylo. But the account of the authorities will adapt and will always find new explanations and justifications. And the repression against opponents will only increase.