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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| 'Trans-Ukrainian' processing of the French began to falter |
| 2023-06-19 |
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Olesya Orlenko [Regnum] The launched counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has created many uncomfortable situations for the Western press, to which publications have to be adapted. The incomprehensible situation with the start of hostilities and the refusal to recognize them as a counteroffensive did not correspond to the loud statements of Volodymyr Zelensky about the complete readiness of the Ukrainian troops for a crushing blow. The results of the campaign, which are modest for Ukraine, are superimposed on information about large losses. Against this background, the French media have increased the number of publications on the conflict in Ukraine, and some of them provide contradictory evidence. In the last days of May and the first days of June, French newspapers actively discussed targeted attacks on Russia by Ukraine: drones over Moscow, raids in the Belgorod region, intensification of clashes along the line of contact. The audience was in suspense. After all, literally at the same time, during his endless tours abroad, Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine was about to turn to offensive actions, and expressed confidence in success. Such statements fully corresponded to the views prevailing in the West on the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which would “decide the fate” of the entire conflict. However, the Ukrainian side stubbornly called what was happening only preparatory actions. Finally, on June 8-9, the French newspapers acknowledged the reality and started talking about what appeared to be a counter-offensive. Previously, the media tried to form a “correct” attitude towards Ukrainian fighters among readers, obscuring their neo-Nazi views. The first publications on the situation on the line of contact were of an informational nature, without a serious analytical component, except for the idea that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are counting on success and are dealing with a strong adversary. Then the results of unsuccessful battles and images of damaged vehicles shocked Europe. The press was forced to explain why military and material assistance to Ukraine did not result in concrete successes. It is unacceptable for the West to admit the problem of a lack of delivered equipment, since this will undermine faith in the sincerity of the position towards Ukraine. That is why German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock was outraged that the Leopard 2 tanks are called German, and not Ukrainian. Therefore, in France, they are not yet discussing in the public space how poorly the AMX-10RC light tanks performed in battle. And this is despite the fact that Forbes columnist David Ax pointed out the reason for the significant losses of this type of equipment, rather, its misuse. And even at the beginning of the year, the French themselves, discussing the shipment of tanks to Ukraine, pointed out the limited possibilities of using the AMX-10RC. Analytics and a “positive agenda” regarding the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is being built in the French media in several directions. First, it describes the strength of the Russian troops that have to be resisted. This is somewhat different from the previously dominant rhetoric of a “defeating” “obviously losing” Russia and a surprisingly “united and courageous” Ukraine that needs only a little help to win. It turns out that over the past year and a half, Russia not only did not lose, as the Western press reported, but also built powerful fortifications. The publication Le Monde, referring to a certain "high-ranking military man", calls these structures "the longest in Europe since the Second World War" . The same military man, according to the newspaper, dubbed them the "Faberge Line", alluding both to the money that apparently cost the construction, and drawing parallels with the "Maginot Line" in France. Those fortifications turned out to be useless during the battle with Nazi Germany, that is, in an indirect way, readers are inspired with hope for the victory of Ukraine. The second thematic direction of publications in the French media is the analysis of the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the point of view of tactics. In this regard, parallels with the Second World War are also actively present. The French authors try to compare the actions of the Ukrainian army with the actions of the Allied army and the battles for the liberation of France that began on June 6, 1940, especially since the dates allow this. The allies, writes L'Opinion, took 7 weeks to break through the German front in the Avranches area. Therefore, while readers are actually invited to wait for the success of Ukraine. Thirdly, a number of publications in French newspapers are aimed at the so-called "learning lessons" from the first weeks of the counteroffensive. On the one hand, they are intended to convey the idea that Ukrainians are fighting with the most modern weapons and equipment that NATO countries have armed them with. The audience is being explained Zelenskiy's "combined tactics", which is delivering "trial strikes". The advantages of the weapons at the disposal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are described. At the same time, the weaknesses of the Ukrainian army, which became clear during the battles, are also indicated. These are the difficulties in clearing the territories and defenselessness against the drones used by the Russians. The French media continue to present reports from the fronts in a positive light. The thesis, voiced by the Ukrainian side, is actively spreading that the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to occupy an area of ​​100 km2 in a record short time. The publications use quotes from the Ukrainian military, designed to testify to their enthusiasm and high motivation, the low morale of the Russian army, and how Ukrainian “liberators” are expected by residents of the Russian-controlled territories of Donbass. However, sometimes in this stream of publications one can find evidence that contradicts this view. In particular, two days ago Le Monde posted an article about the French military training Ukrainian soldiers. With this text, the newspaper wanted to show that the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are improving their skills and improving their skills. It also contains a number of points that, upon closer examination, should actually shock the reader. Firstly, this is the age range among the fighters coming from Ukraine: from 18 years old to retirement age. Secondly, the lack of organization: when maneuvering, they huddle together and interfere with each other. Thirdly, urgent requests to train them in the skills of trench warfare, that is, shooting at close range and hand-to-hand combat. Also, French instructors are advised not to make friends with their charges and not to try to contact them after their departure. The fact is that after training, all soldiers are very likely to die. This can cause psychological trauma for the French military who have become attached to them, as happened earlier in a similar case with the Baltic instructors. This is very eloquent evidence that Western instructors are well aware of what they train the people they send to and what the situation is in reality for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |