Propaganda War Over Mariupol’s Destruction Is Only Just Starting
- Russia pushing its narrative with control of key locations
- Far right Azov battalion cited by Russia in war justification
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Russia’s decision to seal off the steel factory where Mariupol’s remaining defenders have made their last stand may mark the end of the battle for control over the port city. The propaganda war over its capture, however, has only begun.
There’s already been a ferocious contest over Twitter hashtags (including the name Mariupol) to own the narrative of the 52-plus-day siege, one initially dominated by pro-Ukrainian channels and voices, but increasingly -- as Russian troops began to take over the city -- challenged by Moscow’s supporters.