Authors

Discussion

Since the start of full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities began to broadcast propaganda of war aiming to convince the society that the invasion was a ”forced response to an imminent threat from Ukraine” and actions of Russian armed forces are in full compliance with international law. The authorities also spread propaganda among children to build a Russian society that is more agreeable with the current regime. 

Russian authorities blocked almost all independent sources of information about the war, including websites of independent media, human rights projects and social media of activists. Overall, nore than 12200 sources were blocked due to “military censorship”.

In addition, new repressive laws were introduced aimed at silencing dissent about the war, including provisions banning “spreading fakes” and “discrediting” the use of Russian armed forces. People are prosecuted for anti-war rallies and demonstrations, anti-war comments on social media, anti-war drawings and sermons, wearing anti-war symbols and blue and yellow clothes. 

Having analyzed the law and practice of anti-war prosecutions, censorship and propaganda of war, we will examine the multitude of mechanisms to suppress antiwar dissent. We will discuss whether it is nowpossible  to exercise freedom of expression and influence the decision making process in Russia.