Use of the ideology of “racism” in the information war of the Russian federation against Ukraine

Abstract

The article analyzes the key features of “racism” as a key Russian ideology, which is actively used in the information and psychological operations of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

 The study used a system of general scientific research methods, namely theoretical ones: analysis, generalization, systematization and interpretation of scientific sources. Historical and philosophical comparison and comparative approach were applied.

It is emphasized that the ideology of “racism” is based on narratives about the “special civilizational mission” of Russians, the “seniority of the fraternal Russian people”, intolerance to cultural manifestations of other nations. This ideology is built on the basis of a combination of key principles of fascism and Stalinism, which consolidate Russia’s aggressive international policy, contributing to the seizure of territories of other countries. Attention is focused on the fact that racism as a national and misanthropic ideology uses various methods and means, including military ones about those who disagree or deny this ideology. It is noted that racism is based on the concept of the “Russian world”, which seeks to protect the Russian-speaking population and is aimed at “returning the primordially Russian lands”. It is emphasized that Russia’s domestic policy is characterized by imitation of democratic processes, the cult of the leader’s personality, corporatism in state administration, neglect of the socio-economic needs of the population, repressive activities of security forces and total control over the information space. It is indicated that the combination of these features indicates the authoritarian and repressive nature of the modern Russian regime. It is emphasized that in order to counteract Russian IPRs, it is necessary to actively promote the development of the national information space, which will ensure the conduct of an active counter-propaganda campaign and will contribute to the strengthening of information security through the support of independent mass media, the formation of an effective information policy and the policy of historical memory.

Overcoming racism is possible only if the efforts of democratic states of the world are consolidated. Support for Ukraine should include military assistance, systemic sanctions pressure on Russia, active counteraction to disinformation, and development of media literacy. In the context of ongoing aggression, it is extremely important to form an effective state information policy capable of neutralizing Russian information and psychological operations and promoting the establishment of a Ukrainian-centric national identity