The war in Ukraine. Military meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin – photos. ISW Comments

In the latest issue, the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analyzed information provided by the Kremlin on its latest public activities Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Saturday, the Kremlin said Putin spent the day at the military headquarters, where he met commanders and listened to reports of a “special military operation”, such as an invasion of Russia. Ukraine. According to the published frames, the meeting was attended by, among others, Mr. defense minister Sergey Shoigu The invasion is currently being led by General Sergey Surovikin.

“Maybe the Kremlin publicized the meeting to portray Putin as deeply involved in the planning and leadership The war in UkraineAnalysts rated. They added that this came after a wave of clear criticism of Putin’s role in leading the hostilities by hard-line supporters of the war. The meeting at the headquarters was also to “rehabilitate the image of the Ministry of Defense.” Russia And presenting the ministry as “organised, unified and effective,” the think tank noted.

The Institute of Internal Affairs also cited reports from the “Moscow Times” portal about the Kremlin’s recommendations to publicize Putin’s public activity. According to these reports, the authorities have directed the heads of Russian regions and large state-owned companies to prepare a “positive agenda” for events in which the Kremlin host can participate. Russian prosperity is waning and war fatigue is on the rise, Kremlin officials said, according to The Moscow Times, so Putin should be seen as bringing “good news.” So, for example, his participation in the opening of a poultry farm is presented.

The center assessed that “these treatises aim to remind Russians that Putin is not only a wartime military leader, but also a civilian leader with close ties to the nation.” However, he said that in a situation where the public does not have the possibility of close interaction with Putin regarding the situation in the country and at the front, his image will not improve significantly.