Russian military bloggers have been found to deliberately amplify old footage to support the Kremlin’s narrative in Ukraine, according to a study conducted by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). These influential military commentators, many of whom have large followings on messaging app Telegram, shared footage claiming to show Ukrainian troops being defeated by a single Russian tank. However, the ISW discovered that the footage was captured on June 7 and actually shows Russian artillery units striking a Ukrainian column. This trend of sharing old footage as if it were new highlights the intentional efforts to support the Kremlin’s narrative.
The study reveals that Russian military bloggers, also known as milbloggers, often present themselves as being on the front lines or having contacts providing them with intelligence from the fighting. They frequently update their followers on Russian and Ukrainian operations, with many promoting pro-Kremlin views. However, there are some milbloggers who have criticized Russia’s conduct during the invasion of Ukraine.
One particular channel, Rybar, which has almost 1.2 million subscribers, shared the old footage on Saturday, describing it as an amazing video from the ongoing fighting in southern Ukraine. The footage falsely claims that a single Russian tank destroyed two Ukrainian tanks and six armored vehicles. The ISW determined that the footage was not recent and was being shared to support the Kremlin’s narrative.
The ISW’s assessment also highlights that Russian sources have previously shared old footage to substantiate reports of Ukrainian losses. The study further notes that some milbloggers are exaggerating Ukrainian losses while writing less about Russia’s own losses and challenges.
Interestingly, the ISW suggests that some of these prominent military bloggers may be adjusting their framing of Ukraine’s counteroffensive to align more with the Kremlin due to the fear of punishment. The recent arrest of Igor Girkin, a former commander of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine and a pro-war milblogger who criticized Russia’s handling of the invasion, may have influenced this change. Girkin, a former Kremlin security service employee, was arrested earlier this month in Moscow on charges of inciting extremism, which he denies.
Despite the deliberate spreading of old footage by Russian military bloggers, Ukraine continues its counteroffensive, carrying out operations across the front lines. The ISW reports that Ukrainian fighters have made advances in multiple areas, including the southwest of the highly contested city of Bakhmut.
In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that its troops had repelled seven attacks by Ukrainian forces, destroying several Ukrainian ammunition depots. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces also disclosed that Russia had struck targets with four Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Both Russia and Ukraine have reported varying numbers of casualties, with Russia claiming to have killed 660 Ukrainian troops in the past 24 hours, while Ukraine states that Russia has lost 480 people during the same period. These claims have not been independently verified.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a complex and multifaceted issue, influenced by various actors and narratives. The ISW’s study sheds light on the deliberate actions of Russian military bloggers to amplify old footage in support of the Kremlin’s narrative, while also suggesting a potential shift in some milbloggers’ perspectives due to recent arrests. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to approach the available information from multiple angles to gain a comprehensive understanding of the conflict.
