The Russian propaganda machine is spreading new fakes about the situation in the Kursk region. Without any photo or video evidence, the so-called volunteers talk about the roadsides allegedly strewn with civilian bodies. They also openly lie about Polish mercenaries who killed children in Suzha with the words “so that your lineage does not continue”. 
The propaganda resource Readovka publishes an audio recording of an alleged volunteer, Vladimir, who saw the town of Sudzha strewn with the bodies of local residents. He says that civilians were generally shot. Even those who were just passing through. Moreover, he refers to the words of unknown “acquaintances” who allegedly saw Polish mercenaries killing children with the words “so that your lineage would not continue”.
The information is apparently intended for Russians who lack critical thinking and will not require proof of these words. However, with each passing day, it is becoming more difficult for propaganda to manipulate the topics of the operation in the Kursk region.
Documentary filmmaker sees crimes of the Russian military in Suja
Documentary filmmaker and military journalist Bogdan Papadin has just returned from Suja. He says he did not see any bodies on the roadsides. However, he did notice civilian cars shot up, but there is a nuance.
“I saw drone footage, which was not published anywhere, of civilian cars being shot at from the side controlled by the Russian side. These are the first days of the offensive, when the Russians were trying to leave towards Kursk. Obviously, the disorganisation of the Russian troops in the first 2-3 days led them to shoot at everything they saw. These were not only military vehicles, but also civilian ones,” says Bohdan Papadin.
How do Russians live under the control of Ukrainian troops?
The documentary filmmaker notes that the Russian military probably thought at some point that the DRGs had moved to civilian cars and were trying to move deeper into Russian territory. However, this is absurd, Papadin says, because no one fights like that anymore.
At the same time, propaganda resources complain about the lives of people who refused to leave. The aforementioned so-called volunteer from Russia is worried about his 96-year-old grandfather who remained in Suzha. Here is footage of Russians communicating with and receiving help from the Ukrainian military.
Yes, there are few locals on the streets, everyone is indoors, but we managed to talk to some residents, says documentary filmmaker Bogdan Papadin.
“I met pensioners who are open to conversation, ready to talk. The dialect of eastern Ukraine is typical. Mentally, these people are not Russians. Yes, over the 20 years of Putin’s regime, people have lost their sense of freedom and are becoming victims of the Russian regime,” says Bohdan Papadin.
At the same time, one should not absolve such “victims of Putinism” of responsibility, Papadin said. He is convinced that even if you did not vote for Putin and against the war, you cannot sit back and distance yourself from the regime.
“I talked to conscripts who were taken prisoner. They are adequate, young people, it’s nice to talk to them. Yes, they did not want to fight. Despite the fact that they did not sign a contract, the totalitarian Russian machine still used them for its own purposes. And here is a question for every Russian. How long will this go on?” says Bohdan Papadin.
Russia is trying to cover up its crimes with the status of a “victim”
Psychologist and expert in non-verbal communication Valentin Kim in an exclusive commentary for
“The fact that they are trying to make their own Bucha out of the capture of Suzha is quite understandable and very logical behaviour. In this context, there is no deep psychological basis. They ascribe to themselves the status of a “victim”, which psychologically gives them the internal right to make rude concessions. There is a clear cause-and-effect relationship here,” said Valentyn Kim.
On the other hand, psychologist Kim notes, Russian propaganda is engaged in denying the most obvious unpleasant things about itself. This applies not only to crimes, but also to the social and psychological characteristics of the Russian mentality.
The author: Anastasia Fedor