Experts The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russian authorities are seeking to limit the dissemination of information about events in the Kursk region. In their opinion, this is due to possible future peace talks, in which the Kremlin does not want to discuss the exchange of territories.
This was reported by URA-Inform, citing the ISW report.
Several Russian bloggers who regularly cover the war and criticize the actions of the Russian military said on February 10 and 11 that the authorities were threatening them with prosecution for publishing data on the advance of Ukrainian troops. In particular, this concerns events in the area of Cherkasskaya Konopelka and Fanaseyevka, where, according to them, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have achieved success.
Bloggers claim that the Kremlin is wary of such reports, as they cast doubt on the ability of Russian troops to control the situation. One blogger noted that “recent attacks by Ukrainian troops have forced the Russian command to postpone plans to conduct an offensive operation in the area.” According to ISW, Russia could be preparing an offensive on Sudzha, but the situation on the front has changed these plans. The institute's experts note that Moscow probably wants to consolidate its presence in the region ahead of potential peace talks. “The Kremlin may seek to oust Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region or take full control of Sudzha in order to avoid the need to exchange territories,” ISW analysts say. The Kremlin's attempts to limit information may be linked to concerns that recognizing Ukrainian successes in this area will weaken Russia's negotiating position. Thus, the fight against independent sources of information and pressure on military bloggers are becoming part of the Kremlin's strategy to control the information field.
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