Pro-Kremlin media deflects blame for the coming famine, portraying Russia, Turkey, France, Germany, as do-gooders averting the crisis

Pro-Kremlin and Russian state-affiliated websites, persons, and entities have framed the coming food crisis as the fault of sanctions and Ukraine. The crisis is caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s theft of Ukrainian grain, blocked exportation, and the destruction of stored grain. Russia accuses Ukraine of all of these. Anders Åslund details Russia’s actions thus far:

In some cases, the content frames the coming food shortages as the product of sanctions intended to hurt Russia but that hurt countries in Africa instead. Russian disinformation portrays Russia as an ally of Africa wanting to get grain there rather than the reason for famine. Belarus is offered as evidence of Russia’s claims. Russia casts itself as an anti-colonial actor on the side of Africans but its behavior is some of the most imperialist exploitation in recent memory.

The visceral unpopularity that will be endured by whoever is perceived as responsible for mass starvation appears to be something that Russia is keen to avoid. NATO allies and partner countries should counter these false claims immediately, and not entertain them as serious statements. Evidence of Russian theft and destruction of grain has been a constant thread since the beginning of the invasion. Hoaxlines documented some of this in an earlier record.

One noteworthy element has been the positive coverage of Turkey, France, and Germany, seeming to paint them as reasonable NATO countries, while implying Ukraine is causing Russia’s man-made food shortage. The positive press may aim to incentivize further cooperation with Russian aims by obstructing support for Ukraine or it might be an effort to divide the mostly unified Western front against the invasion of Ukraine.

Original and incorrect spellings have been retained in the headlines and text.