Kremlin Pushes Governors to Promote "Victory Image" in Ukraine War, — Kommersant

The Kremlin has reportedly directed governors to shape a narrative of "victory" in the war with Ukraine, according to sources cited by Kommersant. This guidance was a key focus at a seminar for vice-governors held at the Senezh Management Workshop in the Moscow Region.

The Presidential Administration aims to portray the war’s outcomes—such as the "denazification" and "demilitarization" of Ukraine and the annexation of four regions—as a victory. However, they anticipate dissatisfaction from both "angry patriots" and "liberals." Instead, the Kremlin plans to rely on the "calm majority" who may view these results positively, urging officials to maintain and grow this support base.

Governors were also instructed to address challenges faced by returning combatants, many of whom might struggle to find comparable salaries in civilian life. Concerns were raised that these individuals could gravitate toward protest movements or criminal activities.