Narratives and counter-narratives in the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation: approaches to classification
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28925/2311-259x.2025.4.8Keywords:
narrative, counter-narrative, information warfare, rhetoric, propaganda, ideology, hybrid warAbstract
The subject of this study is the narratives and counter-narratives within the informational dimension of the Russian-Ukrainian war, particularly their classification, dissemination mechanisms, and impact on different audiences. The research aims to identify and substantiate a comprehensive approach to the classification of narratives and counter-narratives from 2014 to the period following the full-scale invasion of 2022, taking into account their evolution and functions.
The research methods include structural, functional, and thematic analysis combined with the application of the concepts of strategic and connective narratives, as well as the media theories of agenda-setting and the firehose of falsehood. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the proposed approach that integrates the analysis of the content, functions, and dissemination principles of narratives, enabling a systematic description of both Russian propaganda narratives and Ukrainian counter-narratives emerging within the digital environment.
The results of the study confirm the effectiveness of the proposed comprehensive approach (combining systemic, functional and thematic aspects): key Russian narratives (denial of Ukrainian statehood, “denazification,” the myth of “genocide in Donbas,” and the “Russian world” concept) and corresponding Ukrainian counter-narratives (national identity, documentation of war crimes, heroism, appeals to democratic values, humor, and satire) have been typologized. Furthermore, the research reveals a connection between the principles of narrative dissemination and their overall effectiveness.
The article also highlights the role of modern technology, social platforms, and digital media in spreading narratives and counter-narratives, including algorithmic mechanisms for promoting content, creating information bubbles, and influencing different population groups. The results of the study not only allow us to identify the most relevant approaches to classifying narratives but also form the basis for developing effective strategies for information protection and countering disinformation, which is important in the context of modern hybrid conflict.
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