If you are a citizen of Ukraine, you quite often resent checking the news. Eventually you will, because you want to be informed, but you are constantly on the watch against being deliberately misinformed—especially since there is an enemy constantly working to deceive you and the rest of the world.
The Russian army moved from point A to point B. The Russian ship went in a circle. The Russian president said something. The Russian bear galloped along the Kremlin wall. We should immediately react. And while we presume the necessity of this knowledge, it leaves us—Ukranians—feeling cautious and angry. That feeling of cautiousness and anger is part of life as a citizen of a nation that exists on the wish list of its northern neighbor.
“Girls, let’s intensively pray,” writes a young lady in a chat. “Have you heard about the ship?” I have not, so I ask. She sends a link to an article describing how Russian authorities were displeased with the route of the Ukrainian ship Donbas. The article seems to me like a diversion, a distraction from the real news. The news sets off a heated discussion. Eventually, my friends and I agree that Russia is blowing smoke in our eyes, trying to distract us from the Zelensky-Biden negotiations. As it turned out later, we were right; the hubbub about the ship was indeed a false call, and the media hysteria around the event was not justified. But it did its job; for a few hours, the eyes of Ukraine followed the conjurer’s hand and saw not what we ought to have seen but what Russia wanted us to see.
Similarly, six months ago, Russian authorities staged outrage over the Ukrainian footballers kit during the European Football Championship, because the kit had the full map of Ukraine and patriotic slogans on it. The scandal was created out of thin air and made headlines in the country but left the enemy attempt unsuccessful. In 2013-2014 when the Ukrainian ex-president dared to order a mass shooting of peaceful protesters on the streets of Kyiv, the same Russian ‘authorities’ couldn’t rest until they blamed protestors for acting back against the undemocratic actions of Yanukovich. At the least provocation, the Russian propaganda machine creaks rustily on and mutilates any piece of true information given until only the remnants of the truth are left—and are presented as facts.
The Russian intentions towards Ukraine are as clear as a mountain stream: to take back what they wrongly believe belongs to them. Like an abusive uncle who wasn’t invited to the family gathering, Russia blusters its way back in the Ukrainian informational and media space. This abusive uncle has a habit of misrepresenting the most obvious truths in such a creative way that those of us who see through it find it a little amusing… and very disturbing.
Russian disinformation can be summarized in two words: “Crucified boy.” The legend tells how in 2014, when Russia started a war against Ukraine in Donbas and the Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian soldiers crucified a three-year old boy. There was no data to support this atrocious claim; neither the locals nor the experts could demonstrate it to be true, but it spread like wildfire on parched grass. Gullible Russian citizens who devour misinformation like potato chips started liking and spreading this fake news, along with other inventions of Russian propaganda. Eventually, even though many similar stories had been proven to be lies, Putin’s misinformation army repeated the lie so often that, according to the upside-down laws of propaganda’s Neverland, it became unassailable media truth.
Now, it’s NATO.
Most Ukrainians are not gullible concerning the games in the international arena. They are aware of both Western and Eastern interests in Ukraine’s fate, and they know that proper negotiations are key. Despite our growing military and the rapid flowering of patriotism, Ukrainians understand the need for allies. But, stuck as we are between two civilizations, Ukraine is doomed to be disliked by one or the other. With Russia forcing its way into Ukrainian affairs, attacking and annexing its lands, disrespecting its national interests, and working to either erase or add the country to its territory, it does not strike Ukrainians as a promising ally. Since the beginning of the war in 2014, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that the total number of casualties is more than forty-four thousand people. If ‘friendship’ with the abusive uncle costs so many lives, it is worth less than nothing.
Obviously, Russia is staunchly against Ukraine’ efforts to protect itself by turning to Western connections. But contrary to expectations, Russia’s aggression has sparked a new flowering of Ukrainian patriotism and national identity. According to the Rating survey, 60% of Ukrainians are eager to actively protect their land, armed if needed, with many others joining volunteer organizations and such. We’re seeing the same renewed love for our language; according to the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, 78% of citizens consider Ukrainian to be their mother tongue, and the majority of those who speak Ukrainian are young people. The level of tolerance to corruption has also declined as one in three Ukrainians would actively fight against corruption in the country, according to USAID. Many experts consider Russia’s present aggression as a useful impetus for Ukraine to develop new mechanisms and improve old tools in the fight against the Russian propaganda machine, according to Media Sapiens.
While Ukrainian patriotism is on the rise, it is getting harder to trust the current government to represent the nation’ interests. On December 10th, President Zelensky said in an interview for the channel 1+1 that he does not exclude the idea of a referendum, whether about the occupied territories, Crimea, or stopping the war—even though such a referendum is illegal under Ukrainian law. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, Article 73, issues of altering the territory of Ukraine are resolved exclusively by an “All-Ukrainian referendum.” However, this does not include giving away parts of Ukraine, since that goes against Article 2, which says:
The sovereignty of Ukraine extends throughout its entire territory. Ukraine is a unitary state. The territory of Ukraine within its present border is indivisible and inviolable.
Zelensky’s choice to attempt to resolve the current crisis quickly is grounded less in love of Ukraine than in fear of her abusive uncle, Russia. These quick fixes would give temporary fruits of a few peaceful years, only until Russia strikes again. This compromise with an enemy would lead to the gradual destruction of Ukraine’s national sovereignty, as it is happening in puppet-led Belarus and other nations being destroyed by voracious Russian appetites.
The psychological games played by Ukraine’s abusive uncle are ruthless. He distorts the truth, and his lies create deep furrows. But, like all lies, they rest on shaky foundations. Not only do Ukrainians and the Western communities have the tools to see through the lies, but so do the Russian opposition, both open (like Alexei Navalny) and hidden.
It is hard to predict what will happen in the next few months. Some Ukrainians follow the Si vis pacem, para bellum principle, while some would trade their freedom for a piece of bread. The level of anxiety is high. Some people fear; some are fearless. However, what can be said for sure is that Russian propaganda has highlighted more than ever the beauty, necessity, and significance of the truth. These ruthless mind games have caused a generation of Ukrainians to cherish facts, to analyze what they hear or see, to chase what is right. And, even in challenging times, this cannot be a bad thing.
The Abusive Uncle: How Ukrainians Respond to Russian Aggression
If you are a citizen of Ukraine, you quite often resent checking the news. Eventually you will, because you want to be informed, but you are constantly on the watch against being deliberately misinformed—especially since there is an enemy constantly working to deceive you and the rest of the world.
The Russian army moved from point A to point B. The Russian ship went in a circle. The Russian president said something. The Russian bear galloped along the Kremlin wall. We should immediately react. And while we presume the necessity of this knowledge, it leaves us—Ukranians—feeling cautious and angry. That feeling of cautiousness and anger is part of life as a citizen of a nation that exists on the wish list of its northern neighbor.
“Girls, let’s intensively pray,” writes a young lady in a chat. “Have you heard about the ship?” I have not, so I ask. She sends a link to an article describing how Russian authorities were displeased with the route of the Ukrainian ship Donbas. The article seems to me like a diversion, a distraction from the real news. The news sets off a heated discussion. Eventually, my friends and I agree that Russia is blowing smoke in our eyes, trying to distract us from the Zelensky-Biden negotiations. As it turned out later, we were right; the hubbub about the ship was indeed a false call, and the media hysteria around the event was not justified. But it did its job; for a few hours, the eyes of Ukraine followed the conjurer’s hand and saw not what we ought to have seen but what Russia wanted us to see.
Similarly, six months ago, Russian authorities staged outrage over the Ukrainian footballers kit during the European Football Championship, because the kit had the full map of Ukraine and patriotic slogans on it. The scandal was created out of thin air and made headlines in the country but left the enemy attempt unsuccessful. In 2013-2014 when the Ukrainian ex-president dared to order a mass shooting of peaceful protesters on the streets of Kyiv, the same Russian ‘authorities’ couldn’t rest until they blamed protestors for acting back against the undemocratic actions of Yanukovich. At the least provocation, the Russian propaganda machine creaks rustily on and mutilates any piece of true information given until only the remnants of the truth are left—and are presented as facts.
The Russian intentions towards Ukraine are as clear as a mountain stream: to take back what they wrongly believe belongs to them. Like an abusive uncle who wasn’t invited to the family gathering, Russia blusters its way back in the Ukrainian informational and media space. This abusive uncle has a habit of misrepresenting the most obvious truths in such a creative way that those of us who see through it find it a little amusing… and very disturbing.
Russian disinformation can be summarized in two words: “Crucified boy.” The legend tells how in 2014, when Russia started a war against Ukraine in Donbas and the Crimean peninsula, Ukrainian soldiers crucified a three-year old boy. There was no data to support this atrocious claim; neither the locals nor the experts could demonstrate it to be true, but it spread like wildfire on parched grass. Gullible Russian citizens who devour misinformation like potato chips started liking and spreading this fake news, along with other inventions of Russian propaganda. Eventually, even though many similar stories had been proven to be lies, Putin’s misinformation army repeated the lie so often that, according to the upside-down laws of propaganda’s Neverland, it became unassailable media truth.
Now, it’s NATO.
Most Ukrainians are not gullible concerning the games in the international arena. They are aware of both Western and Eastern interests in Ukraine’s fate, and they know that proper negotiations are key. Despite our growing military and the rapid flowering of patriotism, Ukrainians understand the need for allies. But, stuck as we are between two civilizations, Ukraine is doomed to be disliked by one or the other. With Russia forcing its way into Ukrainian affairs, attacking and annexing its lands, disrespecting its national interests, and working to either erase or add the country to its territory, it does not strike Ukrainians as a promising ally. Since the beginning of the war in 2014, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that the total number of casualties is more than forty-four thousand people. If ‘friendship’ with the abusive uncle costs so many lives, it is worth less than nothing.
Obviously, Russia is staunchly against Ukraine’ efforts to protect itself by turning to Western connections. But contrary to expectations, Russia’s aggression has sparked a new flowering of Ukrainian patriotism and national identity. According to the Rating survey, 60% of Ukrainians are eager to actively protect their land, armed if needed, with many others joining volunteer organizations and such. We’re seeing the same renewed love for our language; according to the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, 78% of citizens consider Ukrainian to be their mother tongue, and the majority of those who speak Ukrainian are young people. The level of tolerance to corruption has also declined as one in three Ukrainians would actively fight against corruption in the country, according to USAID. Many experts consider Russia’s present aggression as a useful impetus for Ukraine to develop new mechanisms and improve old tools in the fight against the Russian propaganda machine, according to Media Sapiens.
While Ukrainian patriotism is on the rise, it is getting harder to trust the current government to represent the nation’ interests. On December 10th, President Zelensky said in an interview for the channel 1+1 that he does not exclude the idea of a referendum, whether about the occupied territories, Crimea, or stopping the war—even though such a referendum is illegal under Ukrainian law. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, Article 73, issues of altering the territory of Ukraine are resolved exclusively by an “All-Ukrainian referendum.” However, this does not include giving away parts of Ukraine, since that goes against Article 2, which says:
Zelensky’s choice to attempt to resolve the current crisis quickly is grounded less in love of Ukraine than in fear of her abusive uncle, Russia. These quick fixes would give temporary fruits of a few peaceful years, only until Russia strikes again. This compromise with an enemy would lead to the gradual destruction of Ukraine’s national sovereignty, as it is happening in puppet-led Belarus and other nations being destroyed by voracious Russian appetites.
The psychological games played by Ukraine’s abusive uncle are ruthless. He distorts the truth, and his lies create deep furrows. But, like all lies, they rest on shaky foundations. Not only do Ukrainians and the Western communities have the tools to see through the lies, but so do the Russian opposition, both open (like Alexei Navalny) and hidden.
It is hard to predict what will happen in the next few months. Some Ukrainians follow the Si vis pacem, para bellum principle, while some would trade their freedom for a piece of bread. The level of anxiety is high. Some people fear; some are fearless. However, what can be said for sure is that Russian propaganda has highlighted more than ever the beauty, necessity, and significance of the truth. These ruthless mind games have caused a generation of Ukrainians to cherish facts, to analyze what they hear or see, to chase what is right. And, even in challenging times, this cannot be a bad thing.
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