Despite strict censorship laws, one group continues to enjoy relative freedom in the Russia- military bloggers. Rising to prominence after Moscow's sudden invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Vladimir Putin "increasingly relies" on them to maintain support for the war, according to military experts. The Russian president is also "increasingly aware" that pro-war social media figures are his "key constituency" for maintaining support among the Russian public. This comes as deadly Russian missile strikes hit southern and eastern Ukraine on Wednesday while Kyiv claimed fresh advances in its long-awaited counteroffensive. Russian missile strikes also killed three people in Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka and destroyed dozens of private houses, regional authorities said as per news agency Reuters.

Source: Hindustan Times June 15, 2023 03:04 UTC