In his ‘declaration of war’ speech just before he sent Russian troops across the border into the Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin set out the objectives of the campaign. These included striving “for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine” and creating “the necessary conditions … despite the presence of state borders, to strengthen us … as a whole”. In other words, blurring the distinction between Russia and Ukraine.

Frank Ledwidge assesses the Russian invasion, including its weaknesses, and why Putin is resorting to laying siege to cities as well as indiscriminate shelling and bombing.

The Kremlin is devoting immense resources and energy to keeping its own citizens united in support of the invasion. Based on her work as a scholar of Russian history as well as her personal encounters with family members, Cynthia Hooper provides insights into how the propaganda war is being waged - by those in power, and by those who oppose the war.

And what of Putin’s popularity in Russia? Noah Buckley points out that, contrary to widespread belief, research has found that his approval ratings aren’t an artefact of massaged polling numbers. They’re real, and routed mainly in Putin using economic recovery and stability after the collapse of the Soviet Union to underpin his popularity. But, can he make it last?

On a different note, March 4 2022 marks the day on which South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba would have been 90. She passed away in 2008. Nomfundo Xaluva argues that it’s time to lose Makeba’s “Mama Africa” nickname and to begin remember her as a powerful young woman in exile who fought from the stage for the freedom of all black people.