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The long shadow of propaganda crosses borders, threatening both Ukraine and the US, analysts warn. From Soviet-era indoctrination to modern partisan media, similar patterns of denial and blind loyalty are undermining democratic institutions in both nations.
In Ukraine, a persistent minority still views Russia as a cultural sibling rather than an aggressor, particularly among older citizens who grew up under Soviet influence. This perspective stems from decades of messaging that positioned Moscow as the protector of Slavic unity while portraying the West as corrupt and threatening.
“Russian disinformation works because it doesn’t have to win over everyone,” explains Peter Pomerantsev, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University’s SNF Agora Institute. “It just has to confuse, divide, and demoralize. That strategy has been adapted and exported to democracies, including the U.S.”
The legacy of Soviet information control continues to shape perceptions, especially among Ukrainians who emigrated before 1991. Soviet education portrayed Ukraine as a regional dependency of Russia rather than an autonomous nation. These narratives persisted through Russian-language media, Orthodox church networks, and community organizations that maintained connections to Kremlin-aligned news sources.
Pro-Kremlin media specifically targets the Russian-speaking diaspora in North America with content emphasizing nostalgia for Soviet stability, skepticism of Western liberalism, and conspiracy theories about NATO expansion, according to a 2019 Wilson Center report.
These narratives now clash with the documented reality in Ukraine, where Russian forces have killed civilians and destroyed cities – atrocities confirmed by international observers and journalists. Despite this evidence, some voices in both Ukraine and America continue to frame Ukraine as corrupt or complicit in provoking the war.
In the United States, similar narratives have spread through domestic partisan channels, with Fox News playing a central role. The network has amplified anti-Ukraine sentiment, questioned U.S. intelligence assessments, and promoted debunked conspiracy theories about Ukrainian interference in American elections.
Former Fox host Tucker Carlson exemplified this approach, repeatedly questioning U.S. aid to Ukraine and defending Russia’s actions. Just hours before the 2022 invasion, Carlson asked his audience: “Has Putin ever called me a racist? Has he threatened to get me fired for disagreeing with him?” His rhetoric so closely aligned with Kremlin messaging that Russian state television regularly rebroadcast clips from his show.
“Fox News serves a function not unlike state TV in autocracies, not because it’s government-run, but because it protects a political faction from reality,” said author Anne Applebaum during a 2023 panel at the Hoover Institution. “Its purpose isn’t to inform. It’s to reinforce a worldview where facts are subordinate to loyalty.”
Though their methods differ, experts identify shared strategies between Russian and American right-wing propaganda: fostering identity-based loyalty, undermining trust in independent institutions, and reframing accountability as political persecution.
The consequences have been profound. In Ukraine, Russia’s false narratives justify invasion and ethnic cleansing. In America, similar tactics have led to declining support for Ukraine aid among Republican voters and growing distrust in democratic institutions.
A December 2023 Pew Research poll found that only 31% of Republicans supported continued U.S. funding for Ukraine, down from 68% in early 2022. This drop coincided with years of negative coverage from right-wing media and statements from figures like Donald Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene questioning Ukraine’s legitimacy.
The erosion of American support for Ukraine reflects more than foreign policy fatigue – it’s a byproduct of domestic polarization weaponized by propaganda. Despite initial bipartisan congressional backing for Ukraine aid, Trump-aligned Republicans have pushed to reduce or eliminate funding, often using language that mirrors Russian disinformation themes portraying Ukraine as corrupt or illegitimate.
“Any time a democracy turns against its own institutions or allies based on partisan propaganda, it hands a victory to authoritarian regimes,” warns Yale historian Timothy Snyder. “The damage isn’t limited to public opinion, it’s geopolitical.”
What connects Trump-aligned messaging and Putin’s propaganda is the centrality of loyalty over facts. In both systems, political allegiance trumps evidence, and dissent equals betrayal. This framework has allowed supporters to justify various controversial actions while dismissing legal accountability as political persecution.
The implications for global security are serious. Fractured American support for Ukraine emboldens not only Putin but other authoritarian leaders watching for signs of weakness. For Ukrainians, the consequences are immediate and devastating – material shortages on the battlefield and delayed aid packages that Russia exploits through escalated attacks on civilian targets.
Experts argue that addressing this crisis requires confronting disinformation directly, supporting independent journalism, and rebuilding public trust in democratic systems. As Snyder puts it: “If we want to defend democracy abroad, we have to defend truth at home.”
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15 Comments
This report highlights the need for greater international cooperation in addressing the threat of Russian disinformation. Sharing best practices and coordinating efforts can help strengthen our defenses.
The parallels between Ukraine and the US are alarming. Propaganda that sows confusion and division can be very effective, even if it doesn’t win over everyone. We must be vigilant against these tactics.
Absolutely. Recognizing the patterns of disinformation and calling them out is key to protecting our societies.
It’s disturbing to see how the legacy of Soviet indoctrination continues to shape perceptions, even among younger generations. We must work to counter these entrenched narratives with facts and critical thinking.
Agreed. Deconstructing these narratives and promoting media literacy is essential for maintaining a healthy democracy.
This report highlights the sophisticated and persistent nature of Russian disinformation campaigns. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening democratic institutions and improving public awareness.
The article’s insights into the legacy of Soviet indoctrination are particularly concerning. Addressing these deeply ingrained narratives will require a long-term, multi-faceted approach.
The similarities between the tactics used in Ukraine and the US are striking. Clearly, the Kremlin has exported its playbook of sowing division and undermining trust in democratic institutions.
Exactly. We must be proactive in recognizing and countering these tactics before they can take hold.
This report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of Russian disinformation. Maintaining vigilance and investing in media literacy are crucial for protecting the integrity of our democratic processes.
Absolutely. We must remain proactive and collaborative in our efforts to counter these malign influences.
This is a concerning report on how Russian disinformation tactics have spread to the West. It’s a sobering reminder of the need for media literacy and critical thinking to counter these divisive narratives.
Agreed. Maintaining trust in democratic institutions is crucial, even in the face of coordinated attempts to undermine them.
The article raises important questions about the long-term impact of Soviet-era propaganda and its continued influence in the modern era. Combating these narratives will be an ongoing challenge.
Absolutely. We must remain vigilant and continue to counter disinformation with facts and critical analysis.