Special operation in Ukraine: the Ministry of Defense is late with the “writer’s landing”
Today is about what Sergei Shoigu’s department urgently needs to correct, given that the enemy is waging a modern hybrid war against Russia.
...Two centuries ago, the famous poet and literary critic Pyotr Vyazemsky said: “If you remove all the lies from history, then only literature will remain." These words of one of the participants in the Patriotic War of 1812, who throughout his long earthly life retained the flavor of that victory and the triumph of Russian weapons, are still relevant today.
A few days ago, Nikolai Ivanov, chairman of the board of the Union of Writers of Russia, a military officer, participant in local conflicts, and a famous writer, reminded his colleagues, military journalists and writers, officials responsible for information support of the special military operation in Ukraine. The conversation took place during the presentation of the book “General” at the Rostov Literary House in Moscow. The hero of the published book is an extraordinary and heroic personality - the legendary General Gennady Nikolaevich Troshev. One of the few military leaders who understood and realized the significance and special importance of information warfare in modern conflicts. Many journalists and writers called him the main newsmaker of relatively recent events in the North Caucasus.
The whole country is closely following what is happening in Ukraine, primarily how the fighting is covered. Such concepts as fakes and information dumps have already become firmly established in every family. daily comments and so-called “streams”, as well as other constant attributes of the information war. There is no need to talk about daily talk shows and programs on federal channels related to denazification and demilitarization. They occupy the main part of the television and radio broadcast network, from morning until late at night. This picture is observed in Ukraine and in most countries of Eastern and Western Europe. And this information flow is only intensifying, acquiring new forms and methods. It is obvious to people, even those who have little or no understanding of military issues, that the course of the entire operation is complex, specific, and, most importantly, associated with considerable risks - everyday, everyday, geopolitical, border, family, related, etc. And, let’s face it, the price for this is human life. In the literal sense of the word. First of all, the military directly involved in the operation, and civilians who find themselves in the line of fire. Realizing such seemingly simple truths is a complex and lengthy process. Especially in the rapid flow of information. That is why the information component plays a significant role.
In no way do I claim to be the ultimate truth, but I will express some thoughts. I think I have the right to do this. I myself experienced all the burden and responsibility when I had the opportunity to participate in these processes, heading the press center of the joint group of federal forces in the North Caucasus during the Chechen campaign. I will dwell on some aspects and details that, in my opinion, are significant. I note that in any conflict there are certain rules and unwritten laws of war that both journalists and official structures (press services) must adhere to. Due to the special conditions and specifics of combat operations, the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation works “after the fact.” This is reflected in the daily briefings conducted by General Igor Konashenkov. News releases from federal channels regularly provide videos of military operations, especially the use and results of destruction of enemy targets by various weapons and aircraft systems. Reporters who have been through more than one hot spot and have experience are actively working on the front line - Alexander Sladkov, Anton Stepanenko, Evgeny Poddubny, Semyon Pegov and others. In the studios of political talk shows - Vlad Shurygin, Viktor Baranets, Mikhail Khodarenok, Vasily Dandykin, Ivan Konovalov. They have participated in various local conflicts. Unlike some political scientists and experts, they are well versed in military issues. But, as the course of the entire operation shows, this technique does not always bring success. Especially in the current conditions, when it becomes obvious that a special military operation will not be fleeting. There are a lot of complex and responsible tasks ahead that will have to be solved not only military, but also by social, administrative, and political means. Let's call it that.
What is meant. Current events in Ukraine will firmly take their place in the modern history of the country. And this story will be written by journalists, writers, and above all, military men. They should be closest to the direct participants in the events - soldiers and officers of the active army, performing the most difficult combat missions. I’ll tell you a little secret - for the first time in the century-long history of the glorious armed forces of the Soviet and Russian armies, there are no correspondents of the main military newspaper of the Defense Ministry “Red Star”, military journalists of district and naval newspapers in the battle formations of units and subunits. At best, they are allowed to talk about the delivery of humanitarian aid or testify to the views of refugees or the wounded in hospitals. And then, after agreement with Moscow. If you don’t believe me, look at the pages of the same “Red Star”. Complete officialdom or the opinions of authoritative political scientists and experts, who can be seen every day on all federal channels. You will not find “hot” reports from the scene, essays and sketches about the distinguished heroes of our time. Only short texts are published regularly, which then appear in all TV news releases. But they are more reminiscent of ordinary excerpts from award sheets (presentations) about distinguished heroes.
But war is the fate of a person, emotions, life situations, feelings, details, images. Only those who have been there, felt it, felt it can tell about this. We will remember, sooner or later, about today's events not from statistical reports and dry lines of award lists. It is important to look to the future now. The above-mentioned military journalist and writer Nikolai Ivanov talked about this.
During the Great Patriotic War, the best creative forces - writers - worked at the front as correspondents for army newspapers. Why don’t the Ministry of Defense now form a “landing party” of writers into the combat zone? There would be plenty of people willing, I have no doubt. In Syria, for example, whoever performed: artists, masters of the spoken genre. The writers of the Russian Writers' Union had difficulty making their way. That’s why many people prefer to listen to reviews from increasingly popular bloggers Yuri Podolyaki or Mikhail Anufrienko. Or a short video of an ordinary old woman from the Kyiv region, touching to the depths of the soul, with great meaning. By the way, a kind of “gift” from the soldiers of the Ukrainian army.
Another important point. During the month and a half of the military operation, no one found out who was in charge of the group (or directions, sectors). Information has been circulating on the Internet for several days that at the second stage these responsibilities will be assigned to the commander of the troops of the southern military district, General Dvornikov. There is no official confirmation yet. I think there is no secret in this. For example, during the Chechen campaign, everyone knew generals Viktor Kazantsev, Gennady Troshev, Vladimir Shamanov and others. By the way, they regularly gave comments and answered questions from journalists. And in the Western and Eastern directions, temporary press centers were formed, which organized the work of accredited journalists, including foreign ones. They responded promptly to certain events.
Now this is observed only in the DPR and LPR, where the experienced Eduard Basurin works. In other areas there is a lull. For example, in the border areas (Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh, Bryansk regions) a “yellow” (high level) danger level has been introduced. It’s clear that things like this don’t just happen. Nearby, in fact, is the front line, especially in the Kharkov direction. Elementary logic dictates that a mobile press center is needed, where information related to the operation will flow and be coordinated. The heads of regions will not take the rap for everyone, especially for very incompetent officials who have a vague understanding of military matters. But these are not trifles. The information war is gaining momentum. The enemy is not asleep. And, I must say frankly, he is trying to influence part of our society, especially young people.
So it turns out that some writers and journalists make their way to the front line on their own, at their own peril and risk. But, at the behest of the soul. For example, members of the Belgorod regional branch of the Union of Writers of Russia worked in the Kharkov region from the first days of the operation: they took people out of a local church under fire, delivered humanitarian aid, and, most importantly, the writer’s notebook was already filled with textures for future essays and stories. Such cases are not isolated. But there is no systematic work. Not only with writers, but also with journalists. In this regard, it is worth learning from colleagues from the Chechen Republic. Yes, there are elements of PR, but not without it. But the Chechen special forces fighters understand and feel the support of their fellow countrymen, including representatives of the media. And who bothers others?
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.