(MOSCOW) – Russian newspapers have acknowledged Ukrainian drone strikes and fuel shortages while urging the public not to panic, as the Kremlin’s propaganda machine seeks to manage growing domestic concern over the war’s impact on Russian territory.
The 22 June editions of Russian newspapers marked the 85th anniversary of Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, drawing parallels between Nazi Germany and the West. Izvestia claimed Europe was preparing for a new war with Russia, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who stated that NATO and EU military preparations increasingly resembled the German Barbarossa plan. Moskovski Komsomolets argued that Victory Day and 22 June resonated with Russians because the West intended to crush Russia with the same arrogance as Hitler.
The historical framing came as Russian media reported extensively on Ukrainian drone strikes. Kommersant reported that Crimea had been attacked, with strikes on the Kerch ferry crossing, an oil terminal and other energy infrastructure. Authorities said four people were killed and 28 injured. Vzglyad reported that fuel sales to the public and release by ration coupons had been suspended in Crimea, with fuel reserved exclusively for state services ensuring the security of the republic.
The key message across Russian papers was that problems existed but should not cause panic. Moskovski Komsomolets wrote that Ukrainian drone strikes aimed to create a sense of crisis and “learned helplessness” among Russians, but insisted there were no grounds for such defeat. The paper argued that Russia remained one of the two main nuclear powers and was still stronger than Ukraine in all ways.
Komsomolskaya Pravda wrote that Kyiv had convinced itself it could negotiate from a position of strength by making life unbearable in Crimea and Sevastopol. The paper stated that no one would talk with terrorists and blackmailers, adding that derailing the holiday season in Crimea would not derail the Russian offensive, claiming that Russia would always have enough fuel for its military operations.
The fuel crisis has extended beyond Crimea. Kommersant reported that light aviation operators had proposed state regulation of aviation fuel prices to combat rising costs due to forecast shortages. Other market participants said petrol reserves would last another month, and light aircraft had begun flight tests using lower quality car petrol. Experts warned that regulating prices was likely to result in a shortage.
A separate report in the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, headlined “Molotov cocktails for drones,” noted that a factory of the French company Delair, which produced drones for Ukraine, was attacked with petrol bombs earlier this month. The report cited Russia’s defence ministry, which had published addresses of European companies manufacturing components for Ukrainian drones.
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