The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma*

As Ukraine’s military operation in Kursk unfolds, it is clear that this battle is not only being fought on the ground but also in the realm of information. This new phase in the war has revealed significant shifts in the information front, where narratives are being contested reel by reel across the globe.

Russia’s Propaganda Machine Stumbles

The rapid advance of Ukrainian forces in Kursk left Russia’s propaganda apparatus in disarray. Initially, Russian state media struggled to maintain a consistent narrative. Some outlets downplayed the Ukrainian incursion as a minor skirmish, while others contradicted this by claiming that “thousands” of Ukrainian troops had been killed, despite earlier reports suggesting only 1,000 soldiers had crossed the border. The confusion was palpable on Russian television, where hosts appeared puzzled and at a loss for words, a rare sight in a tightly controlled media environment.

The international press was slow to react, with the first reports coming in days after Ukrainian forces crossed the border. A team of Italian RAI journalists was among the first to enter Kursk, where they found no evidence of the massacres or looting that characterized the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their reports showed Ukrainian doctors treating elderly civilians and soldiers distributing humanitarian aid, images that starkly contrasted with Russia’s narrative of widespread Ukrainian atrocities.

Russia’s Outrage and Response

Moscow’s reaction to the presence of foreign journalists in Kursk was swift and severe. Criminal cases were opened against the two Italian journalists for illegally crossing the border, prompting RAI to recall them to Italy over safety concerns. This followed earlier threats from a Russian military blogger who advocated for the murder of foreign journalists entering Russian territory. The Kremlin’s anger extended to the American media as well, with CNN reporters in Kursk facing criminal investigations and the U.S. envoy in Moscow being summoned.

Despite these threats, CNN defended its actions, stating that their team had been invited by the Ukrainian government and was operating under the protection of international law. The presence of foreign journalists, escorted by Ukrainian troops, raised ethical concerns within the Ukrainian media community. Some journalists questioned whether following their army into Russian territory was appropriate, fearing it might echo the Kremlin’s tactics in Crimea and Donbas since 2014.

Ethical Dilemmas and Information Warfare

The ethical challenges facing journalists in Kursk are significant. Reporting under the escort of Ukrainian troops complicates efforts to obtain unvarnished accounts from local civilians, who may feel pressured to present a certain narrative. The Institute for Mass Information (IMI), a Ukrainian media NGO, issued guidelines emphasizing the importance of documenting events to counter Russian propaganda while acknowledging the potential perception of media presence as propaganda itself.

Moreover, there are concerns about the safety of civilians who speak out, as they could face reprisals from Russian forces if their identities are revealed. The IMI recommended measures like blurring faces and using voiceovers to protect identities, but there has been little evidence of these precautions being implemented in the field.

Winning Hearts and Minds

The Kursk operation represents a critical opportunity for Ukraine to sway both Russian and international opinion. By contrasting Ukrainian conduct in Kursk with the documented abuses committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, Kyiv aims to strengthen its moral standing in the eyes of the world. Ukrainian officials have been vocal in emphasizing their adherence to international law, avoiding the war crimes that have marred Russia’s campaign.

The presence of foreign and Ukrainian media in Kursk complicates the efforts of Russian propagandists, who now face greater scrutiny and competition in shaping the narrative. However, the deep-rooted nature of state-controlled media in Russia poses a significant challenge. As Samantha de Bendern of Chatham House observed, many Russians continue to accept the narratives fed to them by state television, despite the cracks appearing in these stories.

A Potential Turning Point?

The information war in Kursk could signal a shift in the broader conflict, where the battle for hearts and minds becomes as crucial as the physical confrontations on the ground. While some Russian media have begun to suggest that territories captured by Ukraine might need to be sacrificed, it remains to be seen whether this marks a genuine change in public sentiment.

Historically, even the most severe setbacks, from the Kursk submarine disaster to the Beslan school siege, have failed to significantly undermine Putin’s regime. Whether the events in Kursk will have a different impact is uncertain, but the Ukrainian operation has undoubtedly opened a new chapter in the information front of this conflict. As the war continues to evolve, the struggle to control the narrative will remain a critical aspect of the broader battle for Ukraine’s future.