Ever since Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine, many Western observers have wondered: Would Moscow advance further if Kiev fell? A billboard in the town of Tambov gives grim clues.
“We will teach you to love your homeland” it reads in large black letters. The letters, first noticed by journalist Yaroslav Trofimov of the Wall Street Journal, relate to an imaginary map of the world. This shows the new national borders of Russia.
Trofimov shared the image on X (formerly Twitter):
These range from Alaska to Germany. According to the geography of Russian propaganda, the entire Baltic states, the Balkans, large parts of Central Europe, Finland and part of the US must be subjugated. According to the poster, countries such as Sweden, Austria, Italy and Turkey will be spared.
Support for war unbroken
Despite the bloodshed, which also causes untold suffering to Russian families, support for the war remains high in polls. Even if the released data cannot be independently verified.
Sociologists and Western observers attribute this to the way the war is portrayed in the state media. Putin’s propaganda machine has succeeded in creating a distorted picture that leaves no room for objective facts, it has been said time and time again.
Almost every action – whether attacking or retreating – is described as an attempt to protect the Russian people. Military successes are also blown up and exploited. In addition, there are draconian penalties for criticism and public protest.
Vladimir Solovyov as Putin’s mouthpiece
Vladimir Solovyov plays an important role in Putin’s propaganda machine. During prime time, he addresses an audience of millions almost every night. Putin’s mouthpiece screams, etches, lies — and works like no other on his president’s status. Solovyov once devoted nearly a minute of his airtime to Putin’s quick reaction to catching a pencil rolling off the table.
The false stories about Russia’s supposed enemies are one of the reasons why more and more Russians subscribe to the crude worldview of the “fatherland”. According to official figures, 185,000 new professional soldiers joined the army in the first six months of this year.
Is the next mobilization imminent?
In addition, the Russian parliament has paved the way for further mobilization. The maximum age for conscription for military service was raised significantly in July. Men who have completed their service without further obligation may be called up to age 40, 50 or 55, depending on their category. For senior officers, the limit was even raised to 70 years.
It is now more difficult for young men to evade conscription. Against the background of the attack on Ukraine in September, Russia had announced its first mobilization since World War II. More than 300,000 ex-servicemen were called up. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced plans to increase the total number of professional soldiers and conscripts from 1.15 million to 1.5 million.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
