The Russian elections have commenced amid a wave of criticism surrounding the fairness of the electoral process and the potential for change in leadership.
While many wonder if Russians could topple Vladimir Putin this weekend, the expenditure of more than £850 million by the Kremlin on propaganda has raised eyebrows, especially given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As voters across Russia and even in annexed regions of Ukraine head to the polls, the election is widely perceived as lacking legitimacy.
Independent media and rights groups have faced severe restrictions, further consolidating Putin’s dominance over the political landscape.
Despite the predictable outcome favouring Putin, the massive spending on propaganda by the Kremlin has raised questions. In a time when the war in Ukraine is draining Russia’s resources, why the need for such exorbitant spending on election propaganda?
Dr. Stepan Stepanenko, director of Forward Strategy, explained: “Why would Putin allocate significant funds towards an election when the outcomes seem preordained? The answer is relatively straightforward. The election, mislabeled as it may be in this context, functions as yet another facet of the state’s propaganda machinery.
“It serves to disseminate nationalistic imagery, militarise the youth, and further erode the moral and intellectual fabric of society.”
He continued, stressing the significance of propaganda for authoritarian regimes: “It’s important to recognise that propaganda serves as a crucial instrument of war, particularly for authoritarian regimes. It represents a vital means through which Putin can justify their tenure and authority to the populace. Propaganda is a compulsory purchase for dictators.”
The questions about the staggering figure have also brought the huge amount the country has spent on the war in Ukraine to light.
He continued, stressing the significance of propaganda for authoritarian regimes: “It’s important to recognise that propaganda serves as a crucial instrument of war, particularly for authoritarian regimes. It represents a vital means through which Putin can justify their tenure and authority to the populace. Propaganda is a compulsory purchase for dictators.”
He added: “The Kremlin’s expenditure on propaganda might have seemed uncontroversial, given the stability of the front lines.
“However, the situation took a dramatic turn with the arrival of a new shipment of APCs from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic’s commitment to supply hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, a Ukrainian offensive that significantly damaged Russia’s oil refining capabilities by 12 percent, and the re-emergence of the Freedom of Russia Legion within Russian borders. These developments have undoubtedly complicated Putin’s strategic landscape.”
Regarding the hefty sum spent on propaganda, Stepanenko also noted it was just a drop in the ocean in regards to the massive amounts of money moving within Russia.
He said: “The expenditure of nearly a billion pounds on propaganda may appear excessive, but it pales in comparison to the sums that are diverted or embezzled as a result of endemic corruption within the regime. This corruption not only enriches Putin’s inner circle but also secures their loyalty — a crucial aspect of maintaining power.
“As such, ensuring the support of the wider populace is as critical as garnering the backing of those in Putin’s immediate orbit, where threats to his power are most likely to emerge.”
