Published on February 25, 2024 07:06
Video length: 3 min
Former arms dealer Viktor Bout, VRP of Russian Propaganda. A documentary looks at the propaganda distilled by the Kremlin to dissuade NATO countries from supplying arms to Ukraine. – (First lines)
The documentary “Ukraine, the cost of weapons,” broadcast on France 5 on Sunday, focuses on the issue surrounding arms supplies.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the Kremlin's credo has been to undermine support for Ukraine at all costs. Techniques to manipulate public opinion are increasingly being used to discredit the European Union and the United States, the main allies of the country led by Volodymyr Zelensky. One of them is aimed in particular at the weapons supplied to Ukraine by NATO countries and the alleged abuse of their large-scale use.
The documentary “Ukraine, the Cost of Weapons,” directed by Hugo Van Offel and Martin Boudot, details how Western countries provide Ukrainians with military equipment, describes Europe's rearmament, and how the exponential, increasingly sophisticated arms market creates desire and profits. The film also highlights Russia's violent disinformation campaigns to limit military aid to Ukrainians.
A disinformation strategy
Starting in September 2022, six months after the start of the conflict, Moscow is launching its propaganda war machine regarding the supply of weapons to Ukraine. At the United Nations, Russia is trying to terrify Europe by creating the idea that this military equipment could end up in the hands of terrorists or dangerous criminals scattered around the world due to corrupt Ukrainians. A very clear way of playing with fear.
“It’s about worsening Ukraine’s image in general and, in particular, showing that these weapons we provide will be found everywhere and against us in particular.”
Michel Goya, military expert
in the documentary “Ukraine, the cost of weapons”
To make its message clear and embody it, the Kremlin is putting Viktor Bout at the forefront. Ironically, this explosive character is a former arms dealer. He was arrested in Thailand in 2008, then extradited to the United States and served a 25-year sentence there before being released in December 2022 in exchange for an American basketball player. Since his return to Russia, he has been involved in politics in the service of the Kremlin.
A speech of intimidation
After almost a year of negotiations, Viktor Bout agreed to testify in the documentary. With his first words, the man who partly inspired the film “Lord of War” denounces the aid that France has given to Ukraine. “I don’t know what General de Gaulle would have said if he had still been alive,” asserts the former arms dealer. But he would certainly have had very harsh words about France's current position and its support.” Viktor Bout then gives the speech aimed at intimidating Ukraine's allies, even going so far as to exploit the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The weapons provided by the US and NATO countries end up in the hands of Hamas in their operations against Israel. But also in the drug cartels in Mexico. And sooner or later, you know, these weapons will appear again in Europe.”
Viktor Bout, former arms dealer
in the documentary “Ukraine, the cost of weapons”
A strategy that appears to be bearing fruit in this power-unbalanced conflict, which is entering its third year. NATO countries, and particularly the United States, appear increasingly reluctant to respond to the needs of Ukraine, whose demand for weapons is growing. The USA has already spent $45 billion in military aid and the European Union has spent 17 billion euros.
The documentary Ukraine, the price of arms, directed by Hugo Van Offel and Martin Boudot, will be broadcast on Sunday February 25th at 9:05 p.m. on France 5 and on France.tv.