Concerts by the Russian army choir in Turkey, a NATO member state, should be viewed not as ordinary cultural events but as part of Russia’s information campaigns.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey, Nariman Dzhelialov, expressed this opinion in a comment to the Turkish publication Ocak Medya, Ukrinform reports.
Dzhelialov said that under the current circumstances, cultural events for Russia were not merely about art but also served as an instrument of public diplomacy and perception management. He explained that the goal was not only to perform music but also to create an image of public support for Russia in Turkey.
According to Dzhelialov, Russian state media used such events as part of their information campaigns.
He added that it was easy to predict that after the concerts, Russian media and official rhetoric would feature headlines claiming that thousands of people in Turkey had listened to the Russian Army Choir or that the Turkish people were showing interest in Russia. He explained that this was an attempt by an actor that was becoming increasingly isolated internationally to create legitimacy for itself and undermine the perception of its own isolation.
He pointed out that the Russian “Red Army Choir” is not simply a musical ensemble but “a structure that directly represents the Russian Armed Forces, performs in official military uniform, and promotes narratives about war and so-called military heroism through its repertoire.”
The “Red Army Choir” performed in Turkey from June 28 to July 4, including concerts in Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, and Ankara.
“The fact that such concerts are taking place in a NATO country that supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity is not accidental. It helps Russia promote the message that it is capable of demonstrating its presence even in Alliance member states,” the Ukrainian ambassador to Turkey stressed.
As Ukrinform reported, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said that increasing pressure on Russia also means isolating it internationally. In particular, she stressed that Russian propaganda should not be allowed to exploit sports and culture for its own purposes.
Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in Turkey