Russia has finally acknowledged its invasion of Ukraine as a “war” after previously referring to it as a “special military operation” for over two years.
In a conversation with the Russian publication Arguments and Facts, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, made it evident on Friday that there has been a noticeable shift.
According to Peskov, we are currently in a state of war. He emphasizes that although it initially began as a special military operation, it has now escalated into a full-fledged war. Peskov further highlights that this transformation occurred when the collective West joined forces with Ukraine, making this conflict a war for them.
In a statement to Reuters, he emphasized the importance of everyone comprehending this concept as it serves as a driving force from within.
Russian officials have consistently referred to Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, as a “special military operation.”
However, there have been a few instances where mistakes have been made.
In December 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to it as a “war,” which led to a lawmaker’s call for action against him. This came after Putin implemented a law that made it effectively illegal to describe it as a “war” or “invasion.”
According to a US official, they believe that Putin’s remark was simply a mistake or slip of the tongue.
Peskov seems to have carefully chosen his words.
According to experts, Russia’s insistence on labeling it as a “special military operation” is a deliberate attempt to persuade its citizens that they are not engaged in a war.
Western intelligence reports suggest that Russia has attempted to hide the true nature of the conflict from its own citizens.
Russia has also been actively suppressing any internal opposition to the war by taking punitive measures against individuals who voice their protest or criticism.
