Written by Matt Wickham
Some Western media outlets have suggested that Russia’s recent sentencing of two soldiers for killing a Ukrainian family of nine in occupied Volnovakha may be a rare attempt at accountability. This is not the case. It is a calculated, performative gesture meant to create the impression that Russia “abides” by international law and norms.
This manipulation, unwittingly amplified by some in the West, comes as Russia’s commitment to these principles faces heightened scrutiny amid calls for negotiations to “end” the war. If cases like this one are reported in ways that suggest genuine accountability, they risk misleading the West into thinking Russia is capable of holding to a binding agreement.
By selectively prosecuting a few soldiers in occupied territories, the Kremlin projects an image of law and order and does so to serve a dual purpose…
Domestically, it reinforces the state-controlled myth of order, creating a perception of safety and stability. Although many Russians may, in the confinement of their own homes, recognise its superficiality, they have been conditioned to accept—and even prefer—this illusion. Psychologically, a portion of the Russian people are unwilling to believe that their state could descend to such depths, a defense mechanism that allows them to maintain their sense of security and trust in their leader. By sentencing just one case out of countless violations in this war, the Kremlin is able to reassure, in this case manipulate, the Russian people that it upholds law and order—willing to punish wrongdoing, even among its own ranks.
Internationally, this case is a tactic to influence Western audiences, portraying Russia as a state capable of respecting norms. The Kremlin likely hopes that gestures like these, especially following Trump’s recent win, will bolster its image as a legitimate state ready for dialogue with the West. With growing calls for negotiation, we can expect similar cases to emerge in the coming months.
