Kremlin Propaganda Uses Psychological Projection to Justify Aggression

The Kremlin’s propaganda machine continues to spread lies, accusing the West of planning to attack Russia in order to justify its own aggressive policy. According to analysis by the Robert Lansing Institute, this is classic psychological projection – Russia attributes to others what it plans to do itself.

Propagandists like Yevgeny Popov claim that Western elites are forced to consolidate because military investments are growing – in Germany, they have allegedly doubled since 2022. These claims are used to create the impression that the West is preparing for a big war, although in reality Russia itself is strengthening its military power.

One of the clearest examples is the differing coverage of events in Russian media. After the attack on the Wildberries logistics center in Russia, official television showed almost nothing – no video from the scene, no interviews with witnesses or employees. In contrast, retaliatory strikes on Ukraine were covered in detail to show "revenge." Such selective information serves to maintain an abstract image of "Ukrainian terrorism."

Russian propagandists also exploit internal divisions in Ukraine, such as protests over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, to portray Zelenskyy as a usurper. They also try to stir up historical tensions between Poles and Ukrainians by spreading false reports of lynchings against refugees.

The goal of these lies is to create anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Russian society and justify possible escalation, including the use of tactical nuclear weapons, under the pretext of "existential threats."