Amidst escalating tensions in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Russian state media and Kremlin-aligned information platforms have launched a narrative suggesting a dire prognosis for Russia’s air defenses in Crimea and other territories, following the U.S. transfer of precision-guided, long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. This move has set off a flurry of Russian propaganda, which stands in sharp contrast to U.S. assurances on the intended use of the armaments.
Russian propagandist Olga Skabeyeva during a Wednesday, April 24 evening broadcast of “60 Minut,” suggested the ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine encompass “an enormous territory of our country, which the Ukrainians now can reach.” This sentiment echoed across Russian media, despite U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s explicit statement that the missiles are to be used “inside Ukraine’s sovereign territory…we now have a significant number of ATACMS coming off their production line and entering US stocks. And as a result, we can move forward with providing the ATACMS while also sustaining the readiness of the US armed forces.”
Russian bloggers and news platforms, often in sync with state messaging, forecast new rounds of Ukrainian attacks with a focus on Crimea as a primary target. Claims made by the Rybar Z platform, associated with Kremlin information warfare specialist Mikhail Zvinchuk, describe extensive NATO-Ukraine reconnaissance operations intended to undermine Russian air defenses in the peninsula, suggesting an intricate campaign involving NATO aircraft and decoys.
“If we add official statements about additional deliveries of long-range missiles, including ATACMS…the picture is clear: new strike attempts (against Crimea) are just around the corner. And this may happen during the May holidays, and even more likely, before the presidential inauguration (of Vladimir Putin) on May 7…the target once again may be the Crimean Bridge, the attention to which is very high,” Zvinchuk’s platform predicted.
In contrast to these allegations, the White House has confirmed the transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, intended to bolster its defenses. Reports by major media outlets stated that over 100 missiles, each with a 300-kilometer range and a cost of $3 million, were sent. The Institute for the Study of War posited that Ukrainian forces could more efficiently target Russian helicopter bases and ammunition depots with these missiles, perhaps necessitating changes in the location and fortification of Russian supply lines.
The Russian response, as voiced by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, “The United States is directly involved in this conflict. It is on the road to increasing the range of the weapons systems it already supplies. This will not fundamentally change the outcome of the special military operation Russo-Ukrainian War. We will prevail. But it high-tech US weapons transfers to Kyiv will cause more problems for Ukraine itself.”
Relevant articles:
– Russian Propaganda Predicts Big ATACMS Attacks the Kremlin Probably Can’t Stop, kyivpost.com, 04/26/2024
– Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukraine moves US tanks away from frontlines after ‘hunter-killer drone’ attacks, Sky News, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:57:46 GMT
– US to announce $6 billion in weapons purchases for Ukraine, US official says, Yahoo News Canada, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:11:08 GMT
– Polish MFA chief again debunks Russian fake news about alleged Poland’s intention to annex Ukrainian Lviv — online.ua, News.online.ua, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:37:00 GMT
– Some House Republicans need this reminder that Russia is not their friend, Yahoo News Canada, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:35:52 GMT