The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is getting closer and closer to the boiling point. 100,000 Russian forces have been mobilized at the border with Ukraine, and the threat of a Russian innovation seems more real than in a long time.
At the same time as the Russian army is ready at the border and the country’s authorities are meeting NATO for negotiations in Geneva, the Russian propaganda machinery is also in full swing.
One of the pictures that has gone like a plague on Russian websites and in social media, shows a Norwegian soldier. The photo was shared by the pro-Russian separatist group Donetsk People’s Republic, in an attempt to recruit mercenaries.
Russian passport and 30 days holiday
– Men between the ages of 18 and 45 are applied for military service on contract. Does not include trench service and service in the front line, it says together with the picture.
– PROPAGANDA: This is what the picture of the Norwegian soldier looks like in the Russian advertisement. The soldier is anonymized in this case. Photo: Twitter / Screenshot
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Former Ukrainian journalist Alex Kokcharov says the picture has been actively shared among Russian sympathizers in the eastern part of Ukraine, where the level of conflict is sky high.
The People’s Republic of Donetsk highlights several benefits by enlisting, including 30 days holiday, free training, assistance in obtaining a Russian passport and a stable salary of 24,000 rubles, equivalent to 2,800 kroner.
Hard to prevent
Lieutenant Colonel Per Gunnar Grosberghaugen is head of communications in the Home Guard. He confirms to TV 2 that it is their image that is used in the pro-Russian propaganda, but emphasizes that the soldier depicted is no longer associated with the Home Guard.
– It is not acceptable for the Armed Forces’ photo material to be misused, but at the same time it is difficult to prevent someone from taking action in this way. Openness is important for the Armed Forces and the population must have good insight into our activities, says Grosberghaugen.
– REACTES STRONGLY: Lieutenant Colonel Per Gunnar Grosberghaugen is communications manager in the Home Guard. Photo: The Armed Forces
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As part of this openness, the Armed Forces has an extensive and open photo archive, which is available to both Norwegians and pro-Russian separatists. Grosberghaugen emphasizes that it is the Armed Forces that holds the rights to the photos.
– It is of course not allowed to manipulate photos and use them for personal gain, the lieutenant colonel concludes.
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