ISW explains why Russian officials install air defence systems on buildings in Moscow
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said that the Kremlin had likely deployed air defence systems on tops of several Moscow buildings in order to create and circulate provocative imagery designed to ramp up anti-Ukrainian sentiment among the Russians.
Source: ISW report from 20 January 2023
Details: On 19 and 20 January, images circulated on social media showing Russian officials installing air defence systems on the roof of the Russian Ministry of Defense building in Moscow and elsewhere near the city.
The ISW believes that the Kremlin is likely mobilising its efforts to portray the Russian invasion in Ukraine as an existential threat so as to prepare the Russian domestic information space for a protracted war.
Quote from the ISW: "The Kremlin likely deployed the air defense systems in Moscow to generate inflammatory images that portray the war as more threatening to the Russian public. It is unlikely, however, that the Kremlin believes that Ukraine would target Moscow and it likely engaged in this ostentatious play to support intensifying information operations to prepare the Russian domestic information space for a protracted war in Ukraine and further sacrifices.
This demonstration is also likely a part of the emerging information operation to contextualize the war in Ukraine in the Russian mythos of the Great Patriotic War, which is likely meant to increase Russian support for the war effort and further mobilization by absurdly portraying Ukraine as threatening Moscow and the rest of the Russian heartland in a way to the way Nazi Germany did during its invasion of the Soviet Union."
Background:
- On 19 January, photos and videos of Russian officials installing air defence systems on Moscow roofs and at other sites throughout the city began to circulate on social media. At least five air defence systems are known to have been installed.
- One photograph shows a Pantsir-S1 system on the roof of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
- One video suggests that an air defence system has been installed 10 kilometres away from the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
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