Assoc. Prof. Suzdalieva from Mariupol State University Visited VMU

“We have many friends, many relatives in Russia, as we all Ukrainians have. Of course, they support us but I think it’s not enough. It was a great disappointment of my life. There are 140 million people just doing nothing. When the war started, we became intolerant of Russians, and I don’t know how many generations [it will take until] this intolerance will end. From one point of view, it’s very scary because it’s hate, but it’s understandable, after what they did in my country”, says Assoc. Prof. Olena Suzdalieva from Mariupol State University, who visited Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) and held lectures for students.

According to the lecturer, currently Russia is trying to encourage mobilisation, it is urging young people to join the army, but these attempts are unsuccessful: due to many years of propaganda, which has convinced people that there is no point in concerning oneself with the country’s public life and participating in it.

“For 20 years, Russian propaganda told ordinary people that they don’t need to be involved in these governmental procedures, in the public life of Russia, because there are special people responsible for decision-making and people shouldn’t bother with what’s happening in the country. “Everything is fine, just go to work, go from work to home, watch TV, do whatever.” And nowadays they had many campaigns trying to agitate [for] young men to join army forces, private army forces. But they’re unsuccessful. It’s very difficult to change the society’s point of view in a couple of months [after] what they did for 20 years”, Suzdalieva claims.

In her view, there are many Russians who do not support the war but they are afraid to stand up against it and do not know how. “It’s a normal psychological reaction, and it’s another difference between Ukrainians and Russians. We’re always fighting for our freedom, it’s in our DNA, and Russians are kind of [like] slaves”, the Mariupol State University’s associated professor says.

Russia meets the principles of fascism

Russian propaganda calls Ukrainians fascists and Nazis, but, in Suzdalieva’s words, it is actually Russia that meets the principles of fascism that have been identified by the Italian philosopher, scientist Umberto Eco: the cult of tradition, rejection of modernism (the West), disagreement is equated to treason, fear of difference, obsession with a plot (conspiracy), cult of weaponry etc.

“The media is under strict control, there is only one “right” religion, TV shows are connected to propaganda, they are hysterical, overly emotional, in order to affect people. [Ukrainians laugh about it], we [also] had many memes about another Russian propaganda narrative which was about supposed biological weapon”, the researcher says, referring to the time when Russia had accused Ukraine and the U.S. of the conspiracy to spread diseases using migratory birds and bats.

Yet another popular Russian propaganda narrative claimed that Russian speakers are discriminated against in Ukraine – while simultaneously claiming that Russian-speaking Ukrainians is the same as Russians. “In the phrase “Russian-speaking Ukrainians”, the main word is “Ukrainians”, it doesn’t matter what language they speak. This is one of their narratives. My aunt who lives in Russia also talked with me about how I’m [supposedly] discriminated [due to] Russian language”, the lecturer says.

Lack of education leads to successful propaganda

Assoc. Prof. Olena Suzdalieva explains that propaganda is one of the main instruments of informational warfare and it works in an integrated manner, by utilising multiple tools simultaneously. Some of the key factors which determine its success are low levels of the society’s education and social life.

“If there is a low level of education, if there is low level of involvement in social and political life, it will be successful. It’s [not even necessary] to go to protests and be active; [it would be enough] to just understand who is who, and have your own opinion. However, Russian people in general don’t want to, they’re satisfied with their situation. From one side, I can understand that. If you have a normal life, you don’t want to be bothered. But the thing is, they listen to only one side. A critically thinking person will always read, even if they don’t agree with it, at least read the other [position], just to compare who’s telling more truth. It’s also very important to step into the shoes of your enemy, to look at the situation from their side”, Suzdalieva notes.

Unfortunately, the Law on “Foreign Agents” which is in enforced in Russia severely restricts the possibilities to spread information that is unfavourable to the Kremlin and to access independent media. Everyone who disagrees with the Kremlin’s regime is labelled “a foreign agent” and their activities must be stopped, or they have to go abroad and work from there. “We all understand why they do it. Everything they do now, doesn’t matter what, will be successful because there is no other option. And the ordinary people will believe. The [majority of supporters] are grannies who remember how life under USSR was “great”, ice-cream for three kopeks and so on. My granny is the same”.

Ukraine is more united than ever

In the beginning of the war, Ukraine was highly successful in spreading its culture around the world, while Russia’s propaganda was more based on copying the Ukrainians’ methods. However, today the Russians have improved in the information warfare: the researcher notes that Russia is doing private informational campaigns that are more effective than a year or six months ago, whereas Ukraine has relaxed a bit because, until now, it was doing very well in this sphere.

Assoc. Prof. Olena Suzdalieva remembers that, before February 2022, Ukrainians were less united, there was a divide between the country’s East and West, between North and South; for instance, Odessa and Kyiv were like two different states. However, once the full-scale war began, it united Ukraine and people started to identify themselves more as Ukrainians. Now Ukrainians are actively engaging in public diplomacy and telling the entire world about Ukraine.

“Before the war, we were trying to be polite when people ask “Where are you from?”, you tell them your city, and they ask “Is it Russia?”. We tried to say very politely, “No, it’s Ukraine”. [Now] we strictly defend the fact that we are from Ukraine. It’s also part of public diplomacy, when people promote their culture. [On the other hand], people all over the world have become experts in Ukrainian geography, so these questions are no longer asked”, the Mariupol State University’s associated professor explains.

Mariupol State University (MSU) is an associated member of the Transform4Europe Alliance of European universities. The alliance unites ten universities, including Vytautas Magnus University, which represents Lithuania. All MSU buildings were severely damaged or completely destroyed by Russia’s military actions in 2022. Today the university is operating from Kyiv, it has resumed the implementation of its study programs.