Russian propagandists are spreading the thesis that Ukraine has allegedly already lost the war, based on the material of The National Interest. They say that Kyiv has lost the war and it makes no difference how many more long-range missiles, tanks, artillery and air defense systems the US provides it with. However, this information is manipulative.

The Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security drew attention to this. Its specialists found out that the publication The National Interest belongs to Dmytro Simes, who actively supports Russian propaganda. After 2022, he will remain in Russia and is accused by the US Department of Justice of violating sanctions, which carries a penalty of up to 60 years in prison. The publication has long been associated with pro-Russian views, and Simes himself moderated events organized by the Kremlin and received funding from Russian government agencies.

The purpose of this message is to undermine faith in Ukraine's ability to win and encourage citizens to doubt their country's ability to continue the fight. Such rhetoric also helps to create the illusion of futility of aid to Ukraine, in order to demotivate Western countries from providing weapons and financial support. Simes thus justifies further Russian crimes, while simultaneously creating the appearance of strength and invincibility of the Russian regime for domestic audiences.