The article discusses the shifting narrative of Kremlin propaganda regarding Ukraine over the past four years of war. Initially, President Putin envisioned a swift subjugation of Ukraine through a 'special military operation' beginning on February 24, 2022, expecting to replace the Ukrainian leadership with pro-Moscow figures and dismantle its military capabilities. This strategy, framed as 'denazification and demilitarization,' was supposed to culminate in Ukraine's submission to Russian rule. However, the Russian offensive, which failed to achieve its goals in 2022, has compelled the Kremlin to reconsider its narrative.

Despite the setbacks in the war, Putin continued to believe that the key to success lay in changing Ukraine's government. Consequently, the propaganda emanating from Moscow has aimed to depict Ukraine as a failed state on the brink of collapse. Yet, as the war drags on without resolution, this narrative has started to shift, with Kremlin propaganda showing signs of acknowledging the reality that Ukraine is an independent nation with a resilient society and military.

This acknowledgment, while begrudgingly made, does not diminish the Kremlin's hostility towards Ukraine. The article suggests that as the conflict persists, the Kremlin's storyline must adapt to account for Ukraine's ongoing resistance, highlighting a complex dynamic in how Russia perceives its neighbor. The implications of this evolving narrative may influence future actions by the Kremlin and the wider public perception of the war.