Russian propaganda shifts tactics: exploring how hidden narratives operate.

Russian propaganda is shifting its focus, concentrating on political aspects in an attempt to undermine Ukrainians' belief in their ability to succeed in the war and to sow doubts about Western support. Experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise warn of the threat of public opinion manipulation through hidden narratives aimed at demoralizing society and the army, as reported by UNN.

Currently, we see a situation where, especially against the backdrop of the global political climate, supporters of Moscow's narratives are re-emerging in the information arena. According to KNIIS experts, the activation of pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians and propagandists occurred when discussions about future Ukrainian-Russian peace negotiations intensified in the Ukrainian media space.

"During this period, they began actively spreading information aimed at discrediting the current government and establishing in the public consciousness the idea that the personal interests of the country's political leadership and their reluctance to lose power are hindering their duties, particularly preventing agreements between the parties to the armed conflict, making negotiations impossible, and therefore obstructing peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation," the Institute reported.

In this context, they noted that narratives actively cultivated by Russian propaganda are being promoted, suggesting that the Ukrainian political leadership is deliberately refusing to negotiate with the Russian leadership out of fear of losing power, that Ukraine's Western partners disapprove of the actions of the Ukrainian authorities and are ready to change them to force Ukrainians to make concessions to Russia, and that Ukraine and its leadership no longer have the support from Western countries that was promised at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, etc.

The Berezhnaya Case as an Example Justifying Russian Aggression

Previously, according to KNIIS experts, Russian narratives primarily justified the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. A vivid example in this context is the case of Elena Berezhnaya, the mother of former MP from the "Party of Regions," Irina Berezhnaya.

According to the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, the woman was found guilty of treason by a court ruling, specifically for providing assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization, and their representatives in conducting subversive activities against Ukraine. She was sentenced to 14 years in prison with property confiscation (Part 1, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

It is noted that prosecutors proved in court that the accused, a Ukrainian citizen and head of a Ukrainian human rights NGO, after the onset of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation into Ukraine, assisted the aggressor country in conducting subversive activities against Ukraine. Specifically, after receiving an assignment from Russian curators, in February 2022, Elena Berezhnaya, as the head of the Ukrainian human rights organization, prepared a letter addressed to the permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, in which she employed manipulative techniques to describe events that allegedly were happening in Kyiv and Ukraine, thereby justifying the military aggression of the Russians.

Elena Berezhnaya wrote that "the people of Ukraine support the so-called 'special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine'," claiming that looting, murders, and robberies had begun in Ukraine, and that politicians were officially calling to "kill Russians." Russian curators advised her in correspondence to "stay home until complete cleansing."

Later, on February 28, 2022, during the eleventh emergency special session of the UN General Assembly, Nebenzya referenced this letter in his official speech as evidence of Ukraine's unlawful actions.

"According to the conclusion of experts following a comprehensive forensic psychological-linguistic examination, the text written by the accused for Nebenzya's speech at the eleventh emergency special session of the UN General Assembly is aimed at inciting national, interethnic, and social enmity and hatred, undermining the morale of the population and the army of Ukraine, creating discord, and causing socio-political destabilization in the state," the prosecutor's office noted in response to a request from UNN.

Changing Russian Narratives

KNIIS experts note that Russian narratives are now more focused on political aspects. "Instead of justifying aggression, the idea is now being promoted that there is no point in fighting, that Ukraine is gradually weakening and will eventually have to negotiate, even under unfavorable conditions. This undermines societal belief in the possibility of success, which is undoubtedly advantageous for Russia. Additionally, the situation is shifting to a military plane, as such narratives erode trust in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, diminish military confidence in their own capabilities to resist the enemy, and undermine morale among soldiers, which is currently also a significant area of focus for linguistic experts," they stated.

Russian propaganda deliberately exploits the most sensitive issues for Ukrainian society, attempting to leverage them to the fullest extent. It's important to consider that the third year of war increases society's vulnerability to manipulations, as we feel the impact of military events on emotional, psychological, and physical levels. Weakening, destabilizing, despair, and provoking conflicts within the country are all aspects that Russia uses to achieve its propaganda goals.

The Role of KNIIS Research in Combating Russian Propaganda

"Linguistic and comprehensive linguistic-psychological studies are extremely complex, as information threatening state security does not always lie on the surface. Often, it is presented in a veiled manner, utilizing powerful manipulative technologies and propagandistic linguistic and psychological techniques, with the primary goal being the manipulation of public opinion and the formation of views and beliefs favorable to the manipulator. Linguistic studies require deep analysis, as hidden meanings are often so deeply embedded in the subtext that even experienced experts are frequently surprised by the extent and sophistication of the methods and techniques used after thorough examination of the linguistic material," KNIIS experts noted.

According to the Institute's specialists, this demonstrates how dangerous information can be and the serious threat it poses due to its manipulative nature. In the modern information space, people tend to better perceive obvious messages without delving into the content and hidden meanings that manipulators employ. This is why special knowledge from forensic experts is necessary to expose such influences.