Russian official claims 'flood' of visa requests amid propaganda push

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, claims that the Russian embassies and consulates are inundated with requests for visas, residence permits, or assistance with relocation.

Much of the information provided by Russian state media or Kremlin officials is likely not true. Such reports may be part of an information war by the Russian Federation.

Maria Zakharova is known for her uncompromising political attacks on all opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his policies. Following the Kremlin's propaganda message, Zakharova targets the European Union, NATO, and the United States.

This time, Zakharova did not focus on criticising other countries but on... appreciating her own. According to her, people are "killing" to live in Russia.

Russian embassies and consulates are overwhelmed with requests from foreigners seeking help to move to the Russian Federation. They carry traditional values and do not want to be under the yoke of liberal democracy - said Maria Zakharova during the International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg.

Zakharova's words resonated widely on social media. They were commented on, among others, by Ukrainian politician Anton Herashchenko.

Dear followers, have you noticed any floods of people wishing to move to Russia from the "oppression of liberal democracies?"" - he wrote on platform X.

Many times, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the war in Ukraine. In Zakharova's opinion, the West "drowns the criminal regime in Kyiv with weapons, trains Ukrainian troops, and sends mercenaries and intelligence to Ukraine."

Later, she called the Ukrainian counteroffensive a "failure." She also criticised Volodymyr Zelensky's proposed ten-point peace plan. "Russia will not accept this," wrote the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson with full conviction.