Kremlin "concerned" that failures in war in Ukraine could affect results of the elections in Russian Federation, - ISW
The failures of the Russian army in the war in Ukraine may negatively affect the results of the Russian presidential election in 2024.
This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Censor.NET informs.
It is noted that the Kremlin has begun to take measures to ensure that actual support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the elections does not rely on Russia's successes on the battlefield. In particular, in the presidential campaign, Putin wants to focus attention on the internal affairs of the Russian Federation, criticism of the West, but not on the war in Ukraine.
"Putin and other Russian government officials have already signaled their intention to step up censorship, saying that some citizens who have left Russia and others still in the country have begun efforts to discredit the upcoming presidential election and that Russia will do 'whatever is necessary.' to prevent interference in the elections," the message reads.
Russian authorities have also sought to consolidate control over the Russian information space and stepped up measures to encourage self-censorship. Relatives of the mobilized can also influence the elections. In the Russian Federation, the number of complaints and appeals for help to the mobilized has increased, despite Russia's attempts to censor them.
