Dmitry Litovkin, Executive Editor of the Independent Military Review:
Recently, it is not uncommon to hear that Ukrainian servicemen do not surrender en masse, because they do not have objective information about the course of a special military operation. They say that Kiev propaganda works in such a way that many AFU fighters are sure that their army is not just holding back the offensive of Russian troops, but is almost crowding them in all directions.
There is probably some truth in such statements - I'm talking about the lack of objective information on the other side. Although, I am sure that the supreme command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the leadership of Ukraine, is well aware of the true state of affairs in the combat zone.
Another thing is that it is certainly necessary to intensify information work with the enemy and the civilian population. To do this, the Russian Army has both specialists and relevant structures. First of all, I mean those who are trained professionally to conduct the so-called special propaganda and counter-propaganda.
It is clear that it is extremely problematic to bring the necessary information to Ukrainians, let's say, live in the current conditions. The TV and radio channels controlled by the Kiev regime are inaccessible to our propagandists. Social networks are clogged with so many fakes and dubious information that only experts can find truthful information in the stream of lies. What remains?
In my opinion, old and proven methods could play a good role here. In particular, the dissemination of information in the form of leaflets-appeals to the Ukrainian military or the same loudspeakers. Leaflets can be scattered from helicopters. High technologies are not required for the organization of broadcasting. Yes, it can be called grandfathered ways. But in other situations, even word of mouth works.
Of course, all this is unlikely to work on fanatical Nazis. And the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, especially recently mobilized and not very motivated to fight to the last drop of blood, you see, they will think about surrendering. In addition, with the help of such leaflets and appeals, it is possible to tell residents of blocked cities where humanitarian corridors are located and how they work to get out of the same Kharkiv, Sumy, and other settlements.
Recently, in my opinion, there was a very revealing report on our television. Negotiations are underway for the Ukrainian Marines blocked in Mariupol to lay down their arms. And one of the questions they ask the Russian negotiators is: what will happen to our wounded, will you finish them off? After watching how nationalists brutally treat our prisoners, the Ukrainian military are almost sure that the same fate awaits them in captivity.
So, it is necessary to constantly show and tell about the conditions of detention of prisoners of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Let them know: we do not fight with the unarmed. We feed, treat, and let you communicate by phone with relatives.
I admit that we, the Russians, may not be taken at our word. But foreign journalists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilian population will believe for sure. I think the Russian Defense Ministry did the right thing by allowing representatives of foreign media to communicate with the captured Ukrainian military, to see what conditions they are being held in. I am sure that such meetings have opened the eyes of some Western reporters to a lot.
In addition, foreign journalists were taken several times to the cities and villages of the DPR and LPR liberated from the nationalists. They were allowed to talk completely freely with their residents, ask them any questions. Such openness, including at briefings at the Russian Defense Ministry, where foreign media are always invited, is very important.
Yuri Gavrilov
