In a surprising psychological operation, Ukraine has reportedly dropped leaflets inside Russia’s Kursk region featuring provocative images, including naked women, in an apparent bid to demoralize Russian troops and encourage them to surrender.
This unusual tactic comes amid a declared state of emergency in the Kursk region following a bold Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory. Social media users were taken aback after images of the “motivational leaflets” began circulating online. The leaflets, scattered over Kursk, depict a soldier and a naked woman alongside messages intended to sow doubt and fear among Russian soldiers.
One of the messages, roughly translated, reads: “The wife of your brigade commander is waiting for you in the banya.” The term “banya” refers to a traditional Russian steam sauna, a familiar cultural reference that could imply that while ordinary soldiers are risking their lives on the front lines, their commanders and their families are indulging in comfort far from danger.
Another leaflet, featuring an image of a dead soldier, bears the message: “Soldier of the 25th brigade. Choose life. Surrender.” The leaflet also includes instructions on how to surrender and provides contact details, suggesting that Ukraine is making strategic efforts to facilitate further advances into the region by weakening enemy morale.
The odd nature of the leaflets has left many social media users, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), puzzled and skeptical. One user remarked, “In the photos, is the left one a dead soldier with the message ‘don’t end up like this’? And the idea with the naked woman that if you live, you still get to enjoy life?”
Another commenter doubted the effectiveness of such tactics, stating, “I doubt Ukraine is promising a beautiful woman to every soldier who surrenders…”
Credit: the-sun.com