For years, Russian propaganda has been pushing the idea that the Ukrainians in the eastern and southern regions were pro-Russian and it was the “neo-Nazi” government of Ukraine that promoted hostility to Russia and encroached on the rights of “Russian speakers”. That was a major part of the justification of the Russian war: liberating these mythical “supporters of Russia” from Ukrainian authorities’ persecution.
In fact, despite a stronger pro-Russian sentiment in the east and south of Ukraine due to intense russification during Soviet occupation, nobody called for Russia to invade the Ukrainian land. Moreover, many of those who would have supported integration with the aggressor before the full-scale war, have already witnessed the true face of the “Russian world” and changed their mind.
In spite of the full-scale war with Russia, there is still a small percentage of Ukrainian citizens who support Russia, mostly older people who failed to adapt to the conditions of a market economy and democracy but are still nostalgic for the USSR and hopeful that Russia will bring that back. These are also people who had been strongly exposed to Russian propaganda. However, their share is declining as the Russian genocidal war against Ukrainians continues.
Guests:
- Volodymyr Yermolenko, chief editor at Ukraine World
- Tetiana Troshchynska, chief editor at Hromadske Radio
- Halyna Zelenko, corresponding member of The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, professor, PhD in political sciences
UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.
NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
👉🏻 Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
👉🏻 CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);
👉🏻 UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
👉🏻 Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
👉🏻 Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);
👉🏻 Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).
