Russia pushes a new narrative about the potential loss of Odesa and Kharkiv
Russian propaganda media are once again spreading claims about the alleged possibility of capturing Odesa and Kharkiv. This time, they are actively citing American professor John Mearsheimer, presenting his words as “proof” of Ukraine’s weakness. These statements are used to convince audiences that Ukraine supposedly cannot hold its territories without Western support.
Russian propaganda has launched a new wave of claims about the potential capture of Ukrainian cities. This time, the focus is on Odesa and Kharkiv. Russian media are highlighting remarks by John Mearsheimer, a professor at the University of Chicago, who spoke about possible developments in the war during an interview on the YouTube channel Judging Freedom. Russian state and pro-Kremlin media immediately picked up his statements.
In his comments, Mearsheimer suggested that if Russia manages to hold the territories it already occupies, it may try to capture other Ukrainian cities in the future:
“If Russia is determined to maintain control over the four regions, the next targets could be Odesa and Kharkiv,” he said.
Russian media quickly presented this statement as a “recognition of reality” by an American expert, omitting the fact that it is only his personal opinion and not an official U.S. or international position.
How propaganda uses expert statements
Russian outlets regularly exploit statements by Western experts that can be interpreted in a way favorable to the Kremlin. They especially focus on claims that suggest Ukraine allegedly cannot win the war on its own.
In this case, propaganda emphasized Mearsheimer’s point that Ukraine depends on its allies:
“Ukraine has already lost militarily and survives only thanks to Western support,” the professor said.
Russian media present this quote as confirmation of their narratives, attempting to convince both domestic and international audiences that supporting Ukraine is pointless and only prolongs the war.
Attempt to influence the West
One main goal of these information campaigns is to influence Western audiences. The Kremlin seeks to create the impression that assistance to Ukraine does not change the situation and that the outcome of the war is supposedly already determined. Such statements aim to sow doubt among politicians and citizens in Western countries. Propaganda also tries to create the illusion that even American experts recognize the “inevitability” of Russian success.
Statements about the “inevitability” of continued war
In his interview, Mearsheimer also suggested that Russia could continue the war until it achieves its objectives:
“Moscow may be compelled to end the conflict on the battlefield.”
Russian media use this phrase to justify the continuation of the war, presenting it as evidence that Russia allegedly has no alternative. Propaganda ignores the fact that Russia started the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Who is John Mearsheimer
John Mearsheimer is a professor at the University of Chicago and a leading proponent of neorealism in international relations. He is known for his criticism of U.S. and NATO policies toward Russia and has argued since 2014 that the West supposedly provoked the conflict.
His stance has drawn significant criticism, as he often downplays Russia’s role as the aggressor and the Kremlin’s responsibility for the war. Many experts argue that such statements effectively echo Russian narratives.
Why these statements benefit the Kremlin
For Russian propaganda, it is important to show that even Western experts support or justify Moscow’s actions. This helps the Kremlin create the impression that its position has international backing. These statements are spread widely within Russia to convince the population of the “rightness” of the war and are also used as information pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
Such claims are part of an information war running parallel to the fighting. Russia actively uses media to influence public opinion, attempting to portray Russian victory as inevitable and Ukraine’s defeat as certain. In reality, the situation on the front is much more complex: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian advances and conduct their own operations.
