The War of the Information Domain: Ukraine versus Russia
It seems impossible that Ukraine could hold off a Russian invasion as long as they have. However, in modern-day conflicts, there are two war fronts: military and information. One must consider the effects of social media, digital information, and the degree of freedom for both press and protest. Although Russia has the objectively stronger military might, Ukraine has gained a distinct advantage in the information aspect of the war, thanks to their free use of digital media platforms, free expression of the press, and freedom to protest. Bill Burns, the current CIA Director and former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said, “In all my years I spent as a career diplomat, I saw too many instances where we lost information wars with the Russians…[however] this is one information war that I think Putin is losing.” In a comparison of Zelenskyy and Putin and their respective nations, there is a clear contrast in the strength and inspiration, or lack thereof, of their leadership and unity. This juxtaposition can be attributed to social media and the internet, a critical medium which has allowed Ukraine to win on a very important front of the war: in the realm of information.
The ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine is merely a new chapter in the neighbors’ troublesome history. Since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, there has been great tension due to the Russian belief that Ukrainians and Russians are one people. On February 24th, Putin sent military forces into sovereign Ukrainian territory, which was hardly a shock, considering Western intelligence has reported increasing Russian troops at the border since the fall of 2021. Additionally, Putin has invaded Ukraine before. In 2013, Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, who was loyal to Russia, refused to sign a trade agreement to bring Ukraine closer to Europe. In protest, Ukrainians removed Yanukovych from office and elected a more europhilic government. In response to this drift, Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 and has held the annexed territory ever since. However, in Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine, the goal is clearly to control not only Crimea, but the entire country.
Ukraine and Russia’s dramatic contrast in leadership can be accredited to both Zelenskyy’s positive use and Putin’s cynical manipulation of digital media and information. The constant circulation of inspiring videos, sound bites, and speeches has provided the world with inspiring updates on President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy and the Ukrainian resistance. For instance, on February 25th, the United States offered to move the president to a more secure location away from the capital Kyiv, to which he responded, “I need ammunition, not a ride.” He has also posted a video from his office in the capital in which he stood his ground and said, “I am not hiding.” ABC News, among many other news sources, has even called Zelenskyy “a modern Churchill.” There has also been an overwhelming amount of videos and images displaying the various civilian locations in Ukraine demolished by Russian forces. The combination of media displaying both Zelesnkyy’s bold leadership and the abhorrent destruction caused by Russian troops has generated enormous support for Ukraine and increased public criticism towards Russia. This momentous support for Ukraine has done more than boost morale. The West has explicitly demonstrated its support for Ukraine, allowing Ukraine to receive over a billion dollars from Western governments and their citizens. Global disapproval of Russia has only grown stronger due to the fact that Putin’s shameful acts influence not only Ukraine, but also his own people. The government censures countless sources of media, forbids its own press to use terms such as “invasion” and “war,” and obstructs the right to protest by detaining thousands of peaceful anti-war protestors. Although Russia has an extensive history of repressing rights, this oppressive conduct, combined with Putin’s aggressive behavior towards Ukraine, has profoundly worsened the Russian president’s image globally.
The digital media born out of these dark times has generated more unity in the West than ever seen in recent years, which has further strengthened Ukraine and its supporters. One of this crisis’ most inspiring instances of unity was the various nations of NATO swiftly implementing brutal sanctions against the Russian economy. Another stirring case of unity occurred domestically in the United States, as Democrats and Republicans became more united than they have ever been in recent years to battle Putin. Nearly all of Congress pressured Biden to ban Russian oil imports. Although the unity didn’t last very long afterwards, congressional bipartisanship forced the hesitant president to implement this embargo. Such a case of American bipartisanship nowadays is quite rare, and it is one of many instances of Western solidarity which have displayed just how impressive Ukraine’s media-based power has been.
Ukraine’s success in the information and morale battle has created a very inspiring narrative as Ukraine has successfully prevented Russian forces from seizing many cities including Kyiv. However, doubts naturally remain as the war is still very much ongoing. Still, winning the information battle has led to a very critical and tangible reward—Ukraine has received enormous monetary and military assistance from supporting countries, humanitarian efforts, and other organizations which have kept the Ukrainian resistance alive. Digital media’s positive contributions to the Ukrainian resistance have certainly been awe-inspiring. However, it remains to be seen if Ukraine’s success in the media and morale fronts of the war will prove to be enough in the long term.