The Kremlin has released a list of guidelines for Russian state media on how to cover Ukraine’s imminent counterattack, independent news agency Meduza revealed on Tuesday.
The guidelines, which recommended emphasizing the fact that Ukraine is being armed by NATO while discouraging any suggestion that Kiev is insufficiently prepared, seemed intended to give Moscow the chance to spin any outcome of the expected counterattack positively.
“If Ukraine succeeds, with the help of weapons from the United States and Europe, and occupies some territory, then … [Russian] The loss will be understandable: the entire West has concentrated huge efforts on the front, but its successes – compared to these efforts – are very modest, ”a source close to the Kremlin told Meduza.
However, if the Ukrainian counterattack fails, the Kremlin will be able to boast that the Russian army succeeded in repelling an attack of superior enemy forces, Meduza quotes his sources.
Apparently, the Kremlin has also asked state media to avoid mentioning the size of the national budget allocated to restoring infrastructure in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, fearing that its size could spark popular discontent.
Instead, the Kremlin recommends that state media focus on more related reconstruction projects, such as how to “solve problems” and how to rebuild schools, kindergartens, and hospitals in Russian-occupied Ukraine.
In addition, the Kremlin has asked for “less fuss” over this year’s preparations for May 9, the country’s annual holiday to celebrate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Several Russian regions already have it canceled Victory Day parades this year, under the pretext of security, while the authorities in Moscow took the unprecedented decision to block access To Red Square, where President Vladimir Putin will attend the May 9 parade, two weeks before the Victory Day celebrations.
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