Page 7 - UKRRptSept23

2.0 Politics
2.1 Dehumanising Russian soldiers backfired, only given them more
reason to fight
Aleksey Arestovich, a former adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, says that a pivotal mistake made by Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia is the systematic attempt to "dehumanize" Russians. In a conversation with journalist Yulia Latynina, Arestovich criticized the strategy, stating that it has not only backfired but also bolstered the motivation of Russian troops.
Arestovich pinpointed the "dehumanization" of Russians as the main misstep of Ukraine, suggesting that it was embraced by the collective Ukrainian society. He indicated that this attitude gave ordinary mobilized Russians, rather than professional soldiers, a strong incentive to fight.
The former presidential aide did not specify when this shift from a more European approach to "demonizing" Russians occurred. He expressed that Ukrainians went from "behaving like a European nation" to creating an image of Russians as orcs, painting an antagonistic portrayal of their neighboring state's citizens.
Throughout the conflict, Ukrainian propaganda has consistently depicted Russian troops as uncivilized individuals unfamiliar with basic household appliances, sanitation facilities, or even modern roads. This disinformation campaign also included allegations of widespread looting, torture, and rape of Ukrainians by Russian forces. These charges were amplified by high-ranking officials, although many of the rape claims were later exposed as false.
Senior Ukrainian officials, even prior to the escalation of hostilities, have made disparaging statements about Russians. Aleksey Danilov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, declared that Ukrainians possess "humanity" which distinguishes them from Russians, while referring to Russians as "Asians" with a different culture.
Ukraine has faced accusations of fostering Russophobia, leading Moscow to voice its concerns about the situation. Kiev enacted laws limiting the use of the Russian language in education, media, and daily life, further escalating tensions. The conflict between the two nations escalated into military action in February 2022.
The discussion surrounding the impact of dehumanization in the conflict highlights the complexities of psychological warfare and the role of propaganda in shaping perceptions during times of heightened tension.
2.2 Ukraine, Nato secret meeting resets military strategy
The West, together with Ukraine, at a secret meeting of the military, assessed the results of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and now proceeds from the continuation of hostilities in 2024. The goal is the same as this year - to achieve maximum success and enter into negotiations with Russia from a strong position.
7 UKRAINE Country Report September 2023 www.intellinews.com