Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine are making and sending home video protests to their local governments about a wide variety of issues, boosting the profile of opposition causes.
Video protests from soldiers are increasing because commanders are unwilling to spark more anger in the ranks by confiscating smartphones. The videos are often effective because officials in Russia are less willing to ignore the voices of soldiers than they are of civilians.
One indication of Kremlin concern about this development is a new plan for a census of smartphones and related devices, which would make it easier for commanders to restrict soldiers’ smartphone use.
Moscow has long been worried about veterans of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine causing problems when they return to Russia (see EDM, January 19, 2024, May 29). Russian soldiers in Ukraine,
however, are already creating problems for their local governments. These soldiers are increasingly using their smartphones while fighting in Ukraine, not just to communicate with friends and families but also to send video protests to officials in their hometowns about a wide variety of issues (Novaya Gazeta, June 7; Kedr, June 10).
Video protests are growing in number because commanders are unwilling to confiscate soldiers’ phones and punish those using them. Even though there is currently a ban on soldiers at the front using smartphones, commanders are not enforcing these rules,
lest they spark more anger (Oreanda; Smolnarod, August 24, 2024). Protest videos produced by Russian soldiers in Ukraine are increasingly effective because officials in Russia are less willing to ignore the voices of soldiers than civilians. Civilian activists view military personnel as potential allies because soldiers can speak out more freely and are more likely to be heard by the Kremlin. Unsurprisingly,
the Russian government wants to stop soldiers’ infusion of support for opposition groups and plans to conduct a country-wide census of smartphones and related devices (Rossiiskaya gazeta, June 8). The census could make it easier for Russian commanders to restrict soldiers’ smartphone use, but some say that the plan could exacerbate the issue (Svobodnaya Pressa, June 16).
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