Key targets in the history of Ukraine for Moscow’s wartime information warfare efforts
Ескіз недоступний
Дата
2024
Назва журналу
Номер ISSN
Назва тому
Видавець
Konstanz
Анотація
This article examines the key targets in Ukraine’s history, towards which the Russian side has consistently presented its own historical images and narratives having been used for the Russian military forces’ information support operations during the invasion of Ukraine since 2022. The research focuses on understanding the messages and symbolism used to manipulate soldiers, the Russian Federation’s supporters, occupied territories residents, and viewers from other countries. A part of the research is based on a previous article, published in a Ukrainian journal, whose methodology comprises a historical-comparative method with additional content analysis of the Spanishlanguage pro-Russian messages on the internet. The passage of time has shown that the prognosis from the original research has proven correct, and, despite great hopes, Moscow’s anti-imperial message for the Hispanic audiences has appeared to be far from certain other narratives having become successful. The research results show that most of the symbolism and historical context of Moscow’s aggressive active measures are deeply connected to the Muscovites’ old contacts with Ukraine’s territory via imperial control, and their simultaneous attempts to portray themselves as “victors over fascism.” The continuation of war has forced the aggressors to partially change their symbolism, from restoring Soviet symbols that have undergone decommunization, to looting treasures related to the Romanov Empire period in the occupied territories, and, finally, to downplaying historical symbols in favor of the modern, meaningless “Z” cult. Additionally, Moscow’s invasion propaganda takes into account popular Western media trends, such as “the Global South” and “Satanic panic” to turn them into arguments against Ukraine’s legitimacy and historical status. Thus, the paper reveals complex psychological and informational aspect of the Kremlin’s war effort, which includes the historical images and narratives foundations to shape support and legitimacy for aggression from various, often contradictory sources. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the information operations and strategies used in the war context.
Опис
The Current Russian-Ukrainian War: Socio-Historical Realities and Prospects: Proceedings of the International Conference (Vinnytsia, March 15, 2024)
Ключові слова
foreign impact, history, information war, politics of memory, propaganda