Framing Frontlines: Modeling Russian Media's Ukraine Crisis Narratives

• In Event: Propaganda, Media Bias, and Public Opinion in China and Russia

Abstract

Public diplomacy is an important strategy for states seeking to win the hearts and minds of people abroad, and this is especially crucial during international crises. Media channels play a significant role in shaping these perceptions and often serve as platforms for competing narratives. This project narrows its focus to Russian state media's portrayal of the Ukraine conflict, concentrating on channels accessible in Russia's 'near-abroad.' As the conflict approaches the end of its second year, this study is among the first to systematically analyze Russian media narratives covering the period from January 2022 to December 2023. Importantly, the analysis will be conducted in Russian, as the study is primarily concerned with understanding the influence of these narratives within the Eurasian space. Utilizing text analysis techniques—including LDA, STM, and KeyATM—the research seeks to identify recurring topics and shifts in narrative focus over this timeframe. The results are expected to offer valuable insights into the tactics and effectiveness of Russian public diplomacy during this pivotal geopolitical era.

Author

• Raushan Zhandayeva, George Washington University