this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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They arent Ukrainians, what would make you think that. See the idea behind this picture in the first place was "we show off new gun development" aka "russia strong", added to that where this picture was taken and you have a geopolitical context. That not everyone strait out sees that they are russians....i would say furthers the meme because this makes it "slip thru" and gain some traction, if enough ppl see the picture they will ask themself "huh what is that creazy weapon" and then someone in the comments points out its "russias new mega blaster 9000 russia strong hahaha".
I dont even say that with the caption above it it aint making for a flat laugh...it probably does. But the issu is deeper, people would probably not laugh about a picture showing a American Drone strike with the caption "dropped a big one in the toilet" but concept wise its the same thing.
Or Argentinians or New Zealandians or Norwegians or South Africans or whatever. What would make me think that (if I even thought of ANY nationality) is that I don't know, I know nothing about any military, I wouldn't recognise them unless they have very ostentatious symbols of their nationality somewhere on them or I'm being told "these are [country]ans". That's why I said "for all I know" and then added the most polar opposite option I could think of.
Which I also don't recognise. Might be anywhere in the world. (well, "anywhere" is an exaggeration, it does look rather hot and dry)
That would count as propaganda, of course, from that person in particular.
I don't know, active drone strikes seem different to me from some dude posing with a stupid big gun. The connection to "Americans being posers in Walmart" is a lot stronger.
Anyway, what I can accept is that people might use this picture for their actual propaganda if it is spread around, I get that, and I agree that we need to be cautious. I'd venture though to say that anything that is even remotely related to some kind of national identity can be used that way. That includes stuff like news coverage of Russian aggression ("Woah what is that weapon making the cool fireworks over Kyiv?").