The Russo-Ukrainian War of Propaganda
MEDIA | WAR
From showcasing warfare footage to controlling state media narratives, the Russo-Ukraine conflict hinges on media influence, crucial for securing foreign aid and maintaining public morale.
By Kassem Haidar
February 5, 2024The Ruso-Ukraine War is a war of propaganda. More than ever the results of this conflict will come from how well Ukraine and Russia can use the media to sway local and international opinion and therefore the international and national contributions to the war.
Media represents a front of extreme importance in this war. Especially for Ukraine, the effect of the media on the war is outsized compared to other past conflicts. Foreign aid from NATO and NATO-aligned countries makes up the bulk of Ukraine's arms with 80 billion euros worth of arms and other forms of military assistance being donated to Ukraine. In addition to the war turning to a war of attrition with constant artillery usage as well as drones as seen in a video “Face to face with the enemy: trench battles of the 3rd SAB for the "road of life" to Bakhmut”. In the video footage showcasing Ukrainian drones' effectiveness against enemy trenches, it can be assumed that Russian drones can have a similar effect. Footage from the Daily Mail also shows the effectiveness of suicide drones which can be made from civilian drones or specifically made for their purpose. The importance of these arms and technology means that foreign aid is the lifeblood of any Ukrainian strategy and therefore extremely important to Ukraine.
One way in which Ukraine uses modern media to gain support and therefore aid is by posting footage of warfare filmed by Ukrainian soldiers directly showing the use of the donated weapons. Constant political actions such as visits by foreign heads of state also help keep focus on the war.
However there are issues that the Ukrainians are facing. First, the war is stabilizing and there haven't been any major changes in the front line. This could result in supporting countries getting impatient as they question if they are willing to support a long-term war. Also, the Israeli-Gaza war is drawing public attention away from the Russian-Ukraine conflict indirectly causing less support for the Ukrainian side.
Russian state media is also an important factor in the war in Ukraine. The ability of the Russian state media to control the narrative of the war internally inside Russia is essential for Putin to keep public support high and secure his power. Even though Putin has almost complete dictatorship over Russia, public opinion is still critical for him to prevent coups like what Wagner tried and to give him the option to start another draft and mobilization if needed. A quick look at the Rossiyskaya Gazeta a government-sponsored media website and searching Ukraine gives you a few examples of the kind of media the Russian state is churning out.
The propaganda and media fight between Russia and Ukraine is a fight for resources. For Ukraine, the support from foreign nations is directly correlating to the weapons that are available. Meanwhile, the Russian side's control of their own national media is what gives the Kremlin the ability to mobilize Russian resources both human and capital. The media has a very real sway over the on-the-ground situation of the war, it could sway the results of the war and the lives of thousands. It represents a new era of warfare where the media presence of warring states and groups is an essential part of their strategy.
Works Cited
Ionita, Craisor-Constantin. “Conventional and Hybrid Actions in the Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine.” Security and Defence Quarterly, War Studies University, Poland, 15 Aug. 2023, securityanddefence.pl/Conventional-and-Hybrid-Actions-in-the-Russia-s-Invasion-of-Ukraine,168870,0,2.html.
“Ukraine Support Tracker - A Database of Military, Financial and Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.” Kiel Institute, www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2024.
“Ukraine Devastate a Russian Armoured Attack on the Town of Kupyansk.” YouTube, YouTube, 4 Jan. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBPtbNTxLL4.
