Russia’s War on Truth
Russia is waging a war on truth, both at home and abroad. The Kremlin’s authoritarian regime is suppressing dissenting voices and minority languages, creating energy problems and security risks, hiding the fate of its top military commander, cutting funding for the occupied regions of Ukraine, and spreading misinformation and propaganda through its state media and online trolls. These actions reveal a deep insecurity and fear of losing power and influence in the face of domestic and international challenges.
One of the most alarming examples of Russia’s repression and censorship is the case of a doctor in Kamchatka who was fined for criticizing the Russian military’s response to a massive oil spill in the region in 2022. The doctor, who had helped treat the local residents affected by the environmental disaster, was accused of spreading false information and undermining the state’s authority. He was one of many activists, journalists, and human rights defenders who have faced harassment, intimidation, and legal persecution for speaking out against the Kremlin’s policies and actions.
Another example of Russia’s crackdown on dissent is the forced abandonment of the Latin alphabet for the Tartar language, spoken by about 5 million people in Russia. The Russian authorities have banned the use of the Latin script for Tartar and other minority languages, claiming that it is a threat to the national unity and security of Russia. The ban violates the linguistic and cultural rights of the ethnic minorities, who have been struggling to preserve their identity and heritage under the increasing pressure of Russification.
Russia’s war on truth also extends to its energy sector, which is plagued by problems and risks. In January 2024, a fire at a natural gas terminal in the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga caused by an “external factor” left thousands of people without electricity and disrupted gas supplies to Europe. The incident was widely seen as a result of Ukraine’s sabotage, as Kyiv had claimed responsibility for two previous attacks on oil depots in Russia, including one in the same Leningrad region where Ust-Luga is located. The Kremlin downplayed the severity and impact of the fire, and accused Ukraine of provoking a war.
The energy crisis also exposed Russia’s vulnerability and dependence on its oil and gas exports, which account for about 40% of its budget revenues and 60% of its foreign exchange earnings. The global demand for fossil fuels has been declining due to the transition to renewable energy sources and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The oil prices have been volatile and unpredictable, and the sanctions imposed by the US and the EU have limited Russia’s access to technology and financing for its energy projects. Russia’s attempt to bypass Ukraine and deliver gas to Europe through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has faced strong opposition and delays.
Another mystery that has raised questions and speculation about Russia’s war on truth is the disappearance of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who has not been seen in public for 20 days. Gerasimov is widely regarded as the architect of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, which combines conventional, cyber, and information operations to achieve political and military objectives. He is also seen as a close ally of President Vladimir Putin and a key figure in the decision-making process on the invasion of Ukraine. His absence has fueled rumors that he may have been replaced by a deputy minister of defense, or that he may have been involved in a coup attempt or a power struggle within the military.
Russia’s war on truth also affects the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, where Russia has been supporting the separatist rebels since 2014. In 2024, Russia announced that it would slash the funding for the four Ukrainian regions it partially occupies, including parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The Kremlin claimed that the regions were expected to become more financially independent, despite the ongoing war and the presence of Russian troops. The funding cuts were seen as a sign of Russia’s economic difficulties and its intention to consolidate its control over the occupied territories;
Russia’s war on truth also involves the use of misinformation and propaganda to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of its adversaries, especially Ukraine and its allies. One of the most notorious examples of this is the use of deepfake technology to create fake videos of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been leading the resistance against Russia’s invasion. The videos, which were posted on social media and state-controlled outlets, showed Zelensky telling Ukrainians to surrender, flee, or join Russia. The videos were poorly made and easily debunked, but they still caused confusion and outrage among the public;
Zelensky, however, has not been intimidated by Russia’s war on truth. He has responded with courage and humor, mocking the deepfake videos and calling them a “childish provocation”. He has also trolled the Kremlin by signing an order to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians within the Russian Federation and to collect evidence of crimes committed against them by the Russian regime.
The Kremlin itself has also engaged in self-trolling, publishing contradictory and absurd news headlines on Kommersant, one of its leading newspapers. For example, on the same day, the paper ran two headlines that read: “Russia is ready to defend itself from NATO aggression” and “Russia is not going to attack anyone”. The headlines reflected the inconsistency and irrationality of Russia’s war on truth, which tries to portray itself as a victim and a peacemaker, while invading and destabilizing its neighbor.
Russia’s war on truth is a dangerous and destructive strategy that threatens the security and stability of the region and the world. It is based on fear and lies, and it cannot withstand the power of facts and reason. The international community must stand with Ukraine and its people, who are fighting for their freedom and dignity. The truth will prevail.
