Analysis of Russian Narratives Denying the Genocide of the Ukrainian Nation During the War, 2014-2024

Abstract

Russia's information campaign against Ukraine is multifaceted and open to different interpretations. As a rule, the Russian information campaign is flexible and contextualized, and each narrative has its own style that takes into account all its peculiarities. There is no agreed-upon model that can be used to explain the current narrative of Russia's information war against Ukraine. Instead of hiding information, the Russian Federation often "floods" the media, providing a large amount of information about this or that event, skillfully combining it with disinformation. These media campaigns evoke strong emotions, promote a culture of fear and create panic. Each publication has a certain style of journalism. Some publications maintain a balanced point of view and avoid emotionalism. Others incite hatred against Ukrainians and manipulate public opinion, portraying Ukrainians as puppets of the West, traitors, criminals, fascists, extremists, separatists and other "true patriots". This article analyzes the methods of Russian propaganda in Ukraine. In particular, the main narratives of Russian propaganda are the following: Ukraine is a country that never existed; Ukraine needs regime change; there is a "third Maidan"; Ukraine revives fascist and Nazi practices and is Russophobic; the Ukrainian army is a den of criminals, and NATO soldiers fight on the side of the Ukrainian state; The Russian Federation has nothing to do with the "Ukrainian conflict"; Western countries are trying to destroy Ukraine. Russian mass media disseminate propaganda messages prepared by the Kremlin and present them in a mutually agreed upon form. Today, these practices have become particularly acute. The tactics of Russian propaganda consist in focusing on emotions, creating enemies, biased presentation of information and creating theories without empirical basis to "explain" events.