Protests in Los Angeles have caught the attention of Kremlin-backed outlets, with some proclaiming that the United States is on the brink of a new ‘civil war.’ These media personalities have expressed glee at the unrest, highlighting their hope for chaos in America. On Rossia-1, prominent host Vladimir Solovyov stated, “I’m enjoying what I see,” reflecting a sentiment echoed by others like Sergei Mardan, who said, “Congratulations on the beginning of a civil war in the United States of America.” Mardan later added that while he was joking, his comments illustrate the seriousness with which the Kremlin is observing the situation.
Andrey Cherkasov of RFE/RL’s Current Time noted that while the demonstrations in Los Angeles were limited to a small area, Kremlin-friendly media outlets have amplified the narrative, framing it as a nationwide catastrophe. These protests were ignited by recent high-profile arrests conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, focusing on suspected undocumented immigrants. Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has been vocal on the subject, advocating for an end to ICE raids, emphasizing the city’s immigrant-friendly stance.
“This is a city of immigrants,” she stated. “This is a city that wants to help you get your legal status. This is a city that embraces everybody that is here, regardless of when you got here or where you came from.”
In stark contrast, Kremlin-aligned journalists are reveling in the chaotic scenes from Los Angeles, with some going so far as to say they can’t help but gloat over the situation. Mardan’s comments on Rossia-1 reveal how the Kremlin views turmoil in the United States, as he admitted, “The worse it is for the United States, the better it is for us.”
According to Cherkasov, it is not unusual for Kremlin media to celebrate unrest in the U.S., as this has been a standard approach for many years. The focus on America as a main adversary has been a consistent narrative promoted by these outlets. In the recent coverage, the portrayal of unrest in Los Angeles has taken on apocalyptic undertones, amplifying the perception of chaos in America.
While some U.S. broadcasters, including CBS’s Face the Nation, covered the protests with language that suggests significant unrest, the Kremlin-backed outlets have taken this a step further, indulging in more sensationalist portrayals. Cherkasov pointed out that Russian presenters are focusing on the most dramatic aspects, such as “flying rocks, smoke, and rubber bullets.”
The imagery used by these outlets is striking, with headlines like “Chaos in Los Angeles,” “Fighting, violence, and provocations,” and “The tension is rising” being common.
Another common theme in the Kremlin’s media strategy is the comparison of events in Los Angeles to Ukraine’s 2014 Euromaidan protests, which were catalyzed by a pro-Russian president’s decision to halt EU accession. Commentators have drawn parallels, with one stating, “Just remember the Kyiv Maidan in 2014: It was a war zone.”
The Kremlin has also suggested foreign involvement in the Los Angeles protests, a familiar tactic seen in its coverage of other global uprisings. Cherkasov highlighted how the Kremlin has often insinuated that civil protests result from foreign interference, an idea that fuels its narrative against the West. Pro-Kremlin outlets have drawn attention to supposed ‘color revolutions’ as orchestrated by U.S. agents, using the concept to frame the Los Angeles protests in a similar light.
A presenter on Russia’s Channel 5 summed up the situation, stating, “All the elements of a color revolution are there,” while a guest on Solovyov’s program asserted, “This did not happen spontaneously.”
Since June 6, nearly 400 arrests have occurred in Los Angeles, including around 330 alleged undocumented migrants and over 150 individuals charged with various offenses, including assault. Law enforcement’s response to the protests highlights the complexity of the issue amidst the broader narrative being promoted by Kremlin-aligned media.
image source from：https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-media-los-angeles-protests/33441285.html
