In the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Russians use all types of media to conduct propaganda. Popular are printed, for example, newspapers. The so-called "authorities" do not spare funds for "handouts." Moreover, it initiates the creation of a new one. Almost every settlement, in particular the newly occupied one, has its own press. Its profitability is clear - accessibility for everyone and everywhere. After all, not all the so-called "LPR "/" DPR" has a connection and the Internet.
TRIBUNE journalist found out what newspapers are distributed in the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, what the occupation media write about and why they should be considered propaganda.
"Messengers" of the newly occupied territories
After the occupation of settlements, Russians first of all take control of the information space. This happened during a full-scale invasion. In the newly occupied territories in 2022, "messengers" newspapers appeared: "Stanichno-Luhansk Vestnik," "Starobelskyi," "Svatovskyi Vestnik," "Vestnik of Severodonetsk," etc.
The founder of this series is the "state unitary enterprise (PMU)" LNR "" Luhanmedia. "" According to the Federal Service for Surveillance in Communications, Information Technology and Mass Communications, all these publications were registered on June 1, 2023. Currently, the release and distribution of newspapers continues, in addition to the Kremenskyi Bulletin and Vestnik of Rubizhne. Their activities were suspended on January 1, 2024. But there is no information about the Popasnyanskyi Vestnik. It is only known that it was printed in 2022. Probably there were no new issues.
What do the "vestniks" write about?
The topics raised in the newspapers are the same. For example, providing services to residents of the occupied territories, plans for the future together with Russia, regional and local news, achievements of the so-called "LPR." But the most important messages are the greatness and support of the Russian Federation, the results of the necessary "liberation" from the Ukrainian regime.
On August 5, 2022, during a report on the release of a new newspaper in the Starobelskyi district - the Starobelskyi Bulletin - noted that "readers will be able to learn in time about the events occurring in the city, district and in the Republic as a whole. It's time for the truth. "
The so-called administration of the Novopskov district "LPR" on July 29, 2022 also joyfully informed residents about the publication of the newspaper "Novopskov Bulletin."
But the story of the occupation "Popasnyanskyi Vestnik" is no less interesting. Its chief editor was a former journalist of the Popasnyanskyi Vestnik editorial board, propagandist and collaborator Vladimir Zaruba. This was announced by 3 departments of the Main Directorate of the SBU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions - Sievierodonetsk.
In the newspaper, "the editor disseminated false information about the alleged shelling of the city by units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He promoted an illegal referendum in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk oblast and campaigned for the transition of the education system to the standards of the Russian Federation. "
Nowadays the "messengers" used to campaign residents in the presidential elections in Russia. The issues print appeals and Russian symbols.
Serhii Krivonos, editor of the newspaper "Svatovskyi vestnik" told a propaganda clip, "We are on the eve of elections. Elections of the future - a victorious future, I have no doubt. We survived in 1941. We defended the right to Russian in 2014. We returned to a big country in 2022. It only depends on us what poems the poets will write in the coming".
Invaders are actively engaged in the distribution of newspapers. Districts receive about 10,000 copies every week.
"Republic" - the first and most read newspaper in the "LPR"
It was established on February 12, 2015. Recently, the editors celebrated the 9th anniversary of the release of the first issue. In the Register of the Federal Service for Supervision in the Field of Communications, Information Technologies and Mass Communications, the registration date is June 13, 2023, like most publications of the so-called. "LPR."
"Respublika" informs residents of the so-called "LPR" about current news, provides reports from the scene. Covers various spheres of life such as culture, sports, medicine, poetry, fighting. The key topics are the events of the front-line and peaceful life, the so-called "SVO."
For example, in issue No. 5 of February 15, 2024, most articles are devoted to supporting Russia, covering news related to the war, establishing life in the so-called. "LPR." Not without texts accusing the Ukrainian army of killing civilians in the occupied territories.
Propaganda can be traced in headlines, slogans, colors, symbolism and, of course, in "correctly" written materials.
The circulation of the newspaper is 75,000 copies. It is issued weekly and distributed free of charge in all areas of the "republic," including the newly occupied territories.
"Battle Banner of Donbass": what they read in the so-called. "DPR"
The newspaper is a vivid example of Russian propaganda. It was founded in 2014. The information portal "Officers of Russia" notes that "was the publication of the first army corps of the people's militia of the DPR. With the beginning of the IED, the newspaper received the status of an all-Russian printed publication.... "
For the Motherland! For the Russians! For Donbass! " - the slogan is placed on the front page of the newspaper. It can be considered a description of everything that is discussed in the publication. However, there are also headings: "The situation on the front," "Officially," "Donbass," "SVO," "Roshvardia," "Defenders of the Fatherland," "Combat training," "Technique and armament," "Fate of man," "History," "On the prival."
In issue No. 6 of February 13, 2024, in addition to covering events at the front, the stories of SVO veterans, attention is paid to the presidential elections in Russia and is written about Ukrainian prisoners of war.
"Battle Banner of Donbass" has a circulation of 75,000 copies and is released weekly in occupied Donetsk.
So, although newspapers are no longer in great demand, they are not interesting for young people, but in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts they are almost the only source of information.
Since not all settlements under Russian control have a connection or the Internet, it is the print media that are delivered to residents.
For the occupation authorities, the distribution of newspapers is beneficial. Thus, local people receive information only from one source, have no opportunity to check it or learn from other resources. These conditions are ideal for the influence of Russian propaganda and people's orientation towards life in the "republics" and the Russian Federation.
Author: Yuliia Kanzeba
