The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

New York Times: Russian propaganda entrenched in eastern Ukraine

by The Kyiv Independent news desk April 20, 2023 5:23 AM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Many residents in Ukrainian towns on the frontline still believe Russian propaganda about the war, according to a New York Times article.

One resident believed that the Ukrainian Army was responsible for shellings in her town, even though Russian forces have been attacking several cities in the region for over eight months.

The New York Times reported that many residents perpetrate popular Russian lies, such as the conspiracy that the West caused the war or that the Ukrainian Army is responsible for forcing people to leave.

According to Dmytro Kirdiapkin, a local police chief in Kostyantynivka, residents of eastern Ukraine are exposed to Russian social media channels, television, and radio programs at all hours of the day. “We lost the information war in 2014,” he said.

The Ukrainian intelligence community is unable to keep up with the spread of propaganda. In addition to an abundance of pro-Russian material, some residents act as informants to Russian intelligence.

“In my opinion, [propaganda] is the most brutal weapon the Russian Federation uses on our people,” Kirdiapkin said to the New York Times.

Despite the past success of Russian propaganda campaigns, Kirdiapkin believes that people will become less susceptible to lies as they begin to see for themselves the events of the war.

See also our video on how Russian propaganda fuels genocide against Ukrainians
Ukraine war latest: Defense Ministry says ‘complex measures’ of counteroffensive ‘underway’ in the east
Key developments on April 19: * “Complex measures” of Ukraine’s planned counteroffensive are “already underway” in the east, Defense Ministry says * Patriot air defense systems arrive in Ukraine * NYT: ‘Surge’ in electronic components sent to Russia via Armenia, Kazakhstan * Commander: Embattle…

News Feed

7:21 PM  (Updated: )

Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.

"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
8:06 AM  (Updated: )

Zelensky visits South Africa but cuts trip short after mass Russian strike.

"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
5:30 AM

Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president's first term.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.