Russia is reportedly preparing to declare victory in its war against Ukraine within days, with President Vladimir Putin expected to frame the announcement as not only a triumph over Ukraine but also a symbolic defeat of NATO and the West.
This declaration is anticipated to coincide with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2025, according to Kyiv’s military intelligence agency, GUR.
Reports suggest that the Kremlin will use this declaration to reinforce its long-standing narrative that the war was not merely a conflict with Ukraine but a broader struggle against Western influence. Russian state propaganda has consistently portrayed the invasion as a direct confrontation with NATO, positioning Moscow as a resilient force standing against Western intervention.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, blaming him for the prolonged war despite Russia being the aggressor. His recent remarks, along with Elon Musk’s support, have contributed to growing global divisions over continued military aid to Ukraine. Trump accused Zelensky of running a “dictatorship without elections”, despite the Ukrainian leader winning a landslide victory in 2019 and postponing elections due to the ongoing war. Musk echoed Trump’s sentiments, alleging that Zelensky’s leadership is corrupt and dependent on foreign aid, going so far as to claim that Ukraine’s government is profiting from the war.
According to the GUR intelligence agency, the Kremlin has intensified efforts to manipulate global perception and destabilize Ukraine from within. Moscow’s strategy includes spreading disinformation to sow distrust in Ukraine’s leadership, undermining Western support for military aid, and positioning Putin as a peacemaker while accusing Ukraine and its allies of prolonging the war. The Kremlin is pushing narratives that claim the West has betrayed Ukraine, that the U.S. and Russia have secretly negotiated over Ukraine’s fate, that Ukraine’s government is illegitimate, that Ukraine’s military is losing on the battlefield, and that U.S. aid to Ukraine is being misused by corrupt officials.
The GUR warns that Russia’s intelligence services are working aggressively to spread fear, confusion, and internal divisions within Ukraine, while also seeking to discredit Ukrainian leadership among its Western allies. These efforts are part of a larger psychological warfare campaign designed to weaken Ukrainian morale and fracture international support.
Russia’s anticipated declaration of victory may also serve as leverage in upcoming diplomatic efforts. A bilateral U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia on February 18, 2025, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of the conflict. Moscow appears eager to rebrand itself as a “reasonable” power willing to negotiate, while blaming Kyiv for prolonging the war.