For Russia's defence ministry, its troops repelled a "major offensive" in Donetsk, killing 250 members of the Ukrainian forces and destroying a number of tanks and armoured vehicles at five points across the region's frontline. Moscow was bullish, as it always is - but Russia's community of military bloggers was more circumspect.
Igor Girkin, one of the better known such personalities, said the official statements were "not quite true" and that "the enemy managed to cut into our position" and make some territorial gains. He was not the only one, with the various reports undercutting the sanitised Kremlin narrative.
Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, along with his defence officials and military chiefs, was always going to try to wring what propaganda he could out of Ukraine's military movements. After 15 months and a winter offensive of Russia's own that swiftly became a war of attrition as Ukrainian troops (mostly) held their lines, Putin needs a way to boost morale, and his claims about putting down "major" attacks play into that goal.
This story is from the June 06, 2023 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the June 06, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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