By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Initially, Russia denied Ukrainian involvement in the sinking of its flagship, the Moskva, claiming a fire caused munitions to explode. However, a Russian military court inadvertently admitted the ship was hit by Ukrainian missiles, contradicting the official narrative. The court’s statement, later deleted, detailed the missile strike and casualties, yet Russia has not publicly acknowledged this change. This revelation underscores Russia’s tight control over the war’s narrative and its continued efforts to suppress information contrary to its official claims, which is a common practice in their news reporting.
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After years of Russian denials, court accidentally admits Black Sea battleship was sunk by Ukraine | CNN. This whole situation is just… well, it’s a bit much, isn’t it? After years of insisting that a flagship of the Russian Black Sea fleet wasn’t sunk by Ukrainian forces, a Russian court has, essentially, fessed up. And the way it happened? Accidentally. That’s the part that really sticks in the craw, doesn’t it? It wasn’t a strategic revelation or a shift in policy, just a slip-up in a legal proceeding. A court, dealing with compensation for the families of the deceased sailors, inadvertently confirmed what everyone already suspected, and what Ukraine had been saying all along. Why did they even bother to try and hide it for so long?
The whole charade just paints a picture of a regime that’s deeply invested in maintaining a facade, regardless of the consequences. And honestly, it makes Russia look even more pathetic. The context here is a lawsuit filed by the families of the sailors who tragically lost their lives. The Russian government, in their infinite wisdom, is attempting to avoid paying compensation to these families. Now, I understand governments wanting to save money, but in this instance, it also seems like a demonstration of the regime’s willingness to go to any length to obfuscate the truth and protect its image. It’s a sad testament to their values.
Considering the massive hits the Russian Black Sea fleet has taken throughout this conflict, and the depletion of their other weapons systems, along with the obvious strain on the Russian budget, a naval building spree doesn’t seem to be on the cards any time soon. This is a significant point to consider when assessing their current naval capabilities and future ambitions. The loss of a vessel like this, and the subsequent cover-up, are indicative of a deeper problem within the Russian leadership.
This whole event also serves as a potent reminder that Russia’s true objectives in this war extend far beyond simply securing a port for their Black Sea Fleet. The strategic value of Crimea, for Russia, lies in its potential to be a staging ground for a much larger offensive. It’s about controlling all of Ukraine, and potentially extending their reach even further, if NATO were to dissolve. This is all part of their grand strategy, and the lies and deception are simply tools to achieve those goals.
The question of how the ship was actually sunk is almost comical at this point. As the input mentions, the hole was captured on video four years ago, demonstrating the impact of a Ukrainian strike. Yet the denial persisted. The ship was sunk by gravity and water pouring in through the hole. Simple as that. It’s also worth noting the ongoing hypocrisy of certain entities. The EU, for example, is still importing billions of dollars worth of Russian gas, even while condemning Russia’s actions. It’s a complex situation with a lot of contradictions.
So, what do Russians actually believe happened? Do they buy the propaganda? The answer is likely multifaceted. For some, the unwavering repetition of the state’s narrative creates a reality of its own. For others, it’s a matter of practicality, of not rocking the boat. And let’s not forget the power of fear. A regime that controls the flow of information and punishes dissent can effectively shape the beliefs of its populace. It’s a very different version of reality.
The Russian approach to communication is, sadly, fairly straightforward. All communication is focused on immediate, short-term benefits to the regime. Truth quite literally is no consideration at all. At a certain point in the war, they could still pretend their equipment wasn’t being destroyed and lost. Putin may have even blamed his generals for the invasion’s failures, as the ships sinking was simply an error, a mistake. A bit too late for that now, of course.
The propaganda campaign is predominantly targeted at the home audience. It’s an integral part of their strategy of lies, their denial. They know they lie, and their people know that they lie, but the real power play here is the unspoken agreement to act as if these lies are true. It’s a sort of mass delusion, a dangerous game of pretend where the rules are constantly changing.
This mirrors, in a way, other instances of attempts at covering up wrongdoing. It is not about the US or any other single entity. It’s about the underlying mechanics of misinformation, power, and control. It’s about the lengths to which those in power will go to protect themselves, even at the cost of truth and human lives.
This goes back to the idea of rejecting the evidence of your eyes and ears. It is an act of submission, a desperate act of preservation, and a sad reflection on the state of affairs. This is not about the US. The constant reminders of Russia’s lies make them look even more pathetic than they already do. It is a comparison to illustrate the gravity of the situation. It’s a way to distill information to make it understandable to a different audience, not to deflect from Russia.