“In mid-October 2023, Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science reportedly instructed universities to avoid open discussion of any ‘negative political, economic and social trends’ in Russia during academic activities. This constitutes a further restriction of the information space in wartime Russia, making it more difficult to openly discuss policy issues. In the longer term, this will likely further the trend of Russian policy-making taking place in an echo-chamber of politically acceptable, pro-Kremlin perspectives. It is highly likely that the Kremlin wishes to further suppress negative perspectives on the ‘special military operation’ in the run up to President Vladimir Putin’s anticipated bid for re-election in March 2024,” says a UK Ministry of Defence intel update on the war in Ukraine.
In related news, Politico reports Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will host Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday as part of a bid to pressure House Speaker Mike Johnson not to fuck around with defending Kyiv, all the more urgent after Johnson on Sunday said he would move forward on an Israel-only foreign military aid bill while the White House and Senate work to combine help for both allies together in one bipartisan package.