Propaganda at play

On August 18, Russian state media outlet RT released a provocative video showing Russian forces in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region operating a captured U.S.-supplied M113 armoured personnel carrier adorned with both Russian and American flags. The footage, depicting an assault on Mala Tokmachka, has been widely interpreted as a Kremlin propaganda move, likely intended to provoke Ukraine, mock Western aid, and possibly humiliate Trump by implying U.S. complicity or weakness after his summit with Putin.

Timing and Context

The video surfaced days after Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin, which was criticised as a publicity win for the Kremlin. Trump’s push for Ukraine to “make a deal” with Russia, including suggestions of ceding territory and rejecting NATO membership, was perceived by some as capitulation to Putin’s demands. The video’s release aligns with this perception, with Russian forces seemingly mocking Trump by pairing the U.S. flag with their own, implying an alliance or American acquiescence.

Ukrainian Reaction

The video’s display of the U.S. flag alongside Russia’s tricolor has drawn sharp criticism. Ukrainian officials condemned it as a deliberate act of propaganda. Andriy Yermak, a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called it “maximum audacity,” accusing Russia of misusing U.S. symbols in its “terrorist, aggressive war.” Petr Andryushchenko, head of the Centre for the Study of the Occupation, explicitly linked the video to Trump’s summit, stating, “The Russians have already declared the United States an ally and are storming Mala Tokmachka… with Russian and American flags.” This suggests the video was meant to exploit perceptions of U.S. weakness under Trump. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation described it as a possible ironic signal of Russia’s “peace intentions” while continuing military aggression.

Critical Perspective

While the humiliation angle is compelling, it’s worth noting that Russian propaganda often plays multiple angles simultaneously. The video likely serves to provoke Ukraine, mock Western aid, and bolster Russia’s image domestically, with Trump’s perceived alignment with Putin being a convenient hook.

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