Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated to a state of war. In October 2022, Putin visited a training center and maintained that the invasion was merely a “special military operation.” However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that the situation had shifted to a war after the West supported Ukraine. This change in language marks a significant departure from Russia’s longstanding narrative and indicates that the government is now more directly acknowledging the nature of the conflict.
Peskov’s recent comments seem to demonstrate an intentional shift in rhetoric, as there have been occasional slips in Russia’s preferred terminology. For example, when Putin referred to the invasion as a “war” in December 2022, it went against the law he established that essentially prohibited such language. While some speculated that Putin’s statement was accidental, Peskov’s admission signifies a more deliberate effort to shift away from using euphemistic language. The insistence on describing the invasion as a “special military operation” was viewed as a strategic move to downplay the severity of the conflict and maintain domestic support.
However, Western intelligence reports have indicated that Russia attempted to conceal the realities of the war from its citizens and suppress any opposition or dissent. By criminalizing references to the conflict as a “war” or “invasion,” Putin’s government sought to control the narrative around the invasion and prevent any negative public opinion from forming. The recent admission by Peskov signifies that Russia is now more open about acknowledging the true nature of their actions.
Overall, while Russia continues to maintain its stance on Ukraine, their recent shift in language suggests that they are becoming increasingly aware of their actions’ impact on both their domestic population and international community.
