Arming DNR and LNR forces with WW2 kit is the usual propaganda method which is not easily understood by western society. Putin is trying to push a concept that this war is only a continuation of the fight against fascism which never ended. "Denazification" of Ukraine is a battle cry. If you would understand more about Russian public opinion you would know that they are extremely proud how they succeeded to defeat Hitler and anything which opposes Russian imperial ambitions is automatically labeled as "fascist". This is a universal enemy. Even crushing Czechoslovakia in 1968 is explained till today in Russian state TV as a necessary step which prevented a "fascist coup" organised by western intelligence agencies. This is the very core of their propaganda.
The pictures of Maxim machine gun, traditional Red Army helmets and Mosin-Nagant is a well prepared publicity stunt. "Fathers who fought Wehrmacht gave their well preserved guns to their grandsons to carry the torch." This is a battle to win hearts of Russian Mr. Public and has a very little to do with real fight with Ukrainian armed forces. I personally doubt that they wouldn't have enough AK-47s somewhere in their arsenals.
Last edited by Pali; 2nd Apr 2022 at 14:05.
Reason: Typo