The Russian newspaper article that disappeared

(MOSCOW) – A Russian newspaper article suggesting that major geopolitical defeats have historically been more useful to the country than brilliant victories has been deleted from the publication’s website. The removal indicates that the argument did not receive approval from the Russian authorities.

The article, which appeared last week in Moskovskij Komsomolets, contradicted the official state narrative that consistently projects Russia as a nation of victors. It had proposed that accepting a loss in the war against Ukraine, rather than pursuing maximalist demands, could be permissible.

In a separate incident of dissent, the ultra-nationalist newspaper Pravda has attacked academician Robert Nigmatulin. During the Moscow Economic Forum in April, Nigmatulin delivered a fiery speech stating that Russia was in deep water and heavily criticising the country’s economic problems. The speech continues to circulate on social media, prompting the newspaper to publish an article that appears designed to discredit the academician and his family rather than address his substantive points.

The suppression of information extends beyond print. Following the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska last summer, Russian officials frequently referenced the “spirit of anchorage,” implying that an understanding or agreement on Ukraine had been reached between the leaders of America and Russia. However, days ago, Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy aide to the Russian dictator, admitted that he does not know what the term means. Today’s Moskovskij Komsomolets appears to share this confusion, questioning the concept after the US criticised Russia at the United Nations.

The deputy US representative to the UN, Tammy Bruce, labelled recent mass strikes on Kyiv an “inexplicable, dangerous, and barbaric escalation.” She stated that Washington had cautioned Russia against conducting systematic strikes against the Ukrainian capital that risk further civilian casualties and jeopardise peace prospects. The newspaper asked, “The spirit of Anchorage, does that presuppose Russian sovereignty or what?”

Meanwhile, Izvestia’s lead story reports that Russian regions and big businesses are independently arming themselves to defend against attacks by Ukrainian drones. An increasing number of regions are responding to strikes by taking unilateral measures. The occupied Ukrainian territories that Russia claims to have annexed, referred to in the press as the “new regions,” are experiencing local logistical difficulties due to attacks on the Novorossiya highway. Fuel shortages are growing in Crimea.

Some regions are organising their own defence efforts, creating departments for anti-drone warfare and special volunteer detachments of reservists to protect energy facilities. Big business has been promised permission to purchase large-calibre weapons for self-defence. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs is proposing the use of electronic warfare systems and lasers, rather than merely small arms, to protect industrial facilities.

In a lighter segment intended for domestic audiences, Komsomolskaya Pravda offers a distraction by reporting that bananas from Sochi are very tasty and that farmers in Krasnodar are ready to feed the country with homegrown lemons, kiwis, figs, and other exotic fruit. Moskovskij Komsomolets also joked about rising petrol prices, recounting a conversation at a filling station: “I need to warn you, petrol is a little more expensive today.” “Oh, in that case, please give me 30 litres of petrol from yesterday.”