T-Shirts Featuring Putin and Biden with Missile on Sale in Russia

In the aftermath of Russia's test of the "Oreshnik" missile, the event has been quickly leveraged for propaganda with merchandise including T-shirts, appearing on sale across Russia. The missile test came in response to Ukraine's use of US- and UK-supplied weapons to strike Russian targets, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Among the merchandise is a striking design showcasing an image of Vladimir Putin alongside the "Oreshnik" missile mid-launch.

The artwork also features images of US President Joe Biden, drawing a direct connection to the narrative of the missile as a response to Western support for Ukraine.

The designs appear intended to stir nationalist sentiment and reinforce the Kremlin’s portrayal of resilience against Western opposition.

President Putin publicly confirmed that the new intermediate-range missile was tested during a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. He framed the launch as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil, which Moscow claims were carried out using advanced Western weaponry.

The use of such rhetoric aligns with Russia's broader narrative of being under siege from NATO-aligned forces.

"The test demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding Russia's sovereignty and responding decisively to aggression," Putin stated during a broadcast. He added that the "Oreshnik" missile represents a new capability in Russia's military arsenal.

The swift rollout of merchandise like the T-shirts underscores how the Kremlin seeks to capitalise on military actions to bolster public support.

By blending images of Putin with symbols of military strength and contrasting them with Western leaders, the products echo the broader themes of Russian propaganda; defiance and nationalism.
Source: Sky news