Dmitry Peskov, press secretary to the Russian dictator, has publicly called on Russians to be proud of the country’s propagandists who are actively spreading disinformation about the war against Ukraine. Speaking at the Kremlin-backed “Knowledge. First” marathon, Peskov praised war correspondents and well-known figures such as Vladimir Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan, encouraging Russians to celebrate them as national heroes.
Peskov admitted that propaganda in Russia is unavoidable, saying it “sounds from every iron,” a common Russian expression implying it is heard everywhere. He described propaganda as both “a terrible weapon” and a necessary tool, arguing that it is something Ukraine also uses in wartime. He insisted that Russia must also make full use of this “approach” in its ongoing information war.
He even drew comparisons to Soviet-era propaganda during the so-called Great Patriotic War, saying films back then inspired soldiers to go into battle. He suggested similar inspiration is being offered by today’s pro Kremlin media personalities, calling them part of a noble tradition.
Peskov’s remarks come amid reports that Russian state propaganda spending has soared. The Kremlin’s flagship propaganda outlet, RT, spent 31.7 billion rubles (approximately £304 million or 384 million US dollars) in 2024. That figure is set to double in 2025. This increased funding comes despite growing economic struggles for ordinary Russians, including inflation, shortages, and international sanctions.
