“Russian influence” on part of Ukrainian public opinion, sensitive to a “old Stalinist propaganda”, notably in Sievierodonetsk, in the Luhansk oblast, has “fascinated” Emmanuel Grynszpan, reporter at World and specialist in post-Soviet Europe.
During a report in this city “completely destroyed by the Russian army”, our journalist met a large number of civilians who were completely won over to the cause of Moscow. Some were convinced that they were the target of Ukrainian artillery, even though “the Russians did not hide that they were trying to take the city”.
Faustine Vincent, also a reporter for World and connoisseur of the former USSR, was marked by the period preceding the Russian invasion. While stationed in Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, she remembers being stopped by ” the contrast ” Between “apparent calm” locals and the international community which was preparing for a full-scale war.