Study Reveals 43% of Russian POWs Dehumanize Ukrainians, 70% Support War

Russian POWs Show High Levels of Dehumanization Toward Ukrainians, Study Reveals

A disturbing new study reveals that nearly half of captured Russian soldiers view Ukrainians as less than fully human, highlighting the powerful role of propaganda in fueling Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

According to research conducted by the non-profit organization Lingva Lexa and published by Ukrainska Pravda, 42.94% of Russian prisoners of war (POWs) believe that the average Ukrainian is “not a fully-fledged human being.” This finding points to a systematic dehumanization campaign that experts say helps justify military aggression.

The study, which examined attitudes among Russian soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces, found that nearly 70% of POWs describe Russia’s full-scale invasion as “justified and necessary,” at least partially. When asked to rate the legitimacy of the war, respondents gave an average score of 35.81%, suggesting that while there are varying degrees of support, a significant number of Russian soldiers have internalized the Kremlin’s war narrative.

Researchers identified a direct correlation between belief in Russian propaganda and support for the war. Among POWs who accept pro-Kremlin narratives, an overwhelming 88% consider the invasion justified to some extent. Even among those who claim to reject propaganda, more than half (51%) still view the war as at least partially justified, indicating how deeply ingrained these perspectives have become.

Perhaps most concerning for Ukrainian authorities is the finding that nearly one-third (32.71%) of captured Russian soldiers express willingness to rejoin combat operations against Ukraine if they were to be exchanged and returned to Russia. Another 28.92% indicated they would return to the Russian Armed Forces in non-combat roles, while 22.29% reported some level of readiness to resume fighting.

The study’s examination of propaganda’s effectiveness revealed that 47.61% of Russian POWs broadly accept Russian state messaging, while 76.95% believe in at least one Kremlin propaganda narrative. The difference in extreme views is notable: 13% of prisoners who trust Russian propaganda described the war as “absolutely justified,” compared to just 2% among those who claim to be skeptical of state media.

One of the most troubling metrics from the research shows that, on average, Russian POWs believe Ukrainians are only “88% developed compared to other people”—a clear indicator of dehumanization that social psychologists have long identified as a precursor to violence and a common feature in conflicts worldwide.

This dehumanization mechanism creates psychological distance that makes it easier for soldiers to engage in military action against the perceived “other,” according to conflict researchers not involved in the study. By portraying Ukrainians as somehow less than fully human, Russian state messaging appears to have successfully reduced moral barriers to aggression.

The findings come as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, with neither side showing signs of backing down. International observers suggest these attitudes among Russian forces may complicate eventual peace negotiations and reconciliation efforts, as deep-seated dehumanizing beliefs can persist long after conflicts formally end.

Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the findings, noting that dehumanization often correlates with increased civilian casualties and war crimes. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, multiple international bodies have documented alleged war crimes in occupied Ukrainian territories.

The Lingva Lexa research provides a rare window into the mindset of Russian military personnel, as access to genuine public opinion within Russia has become increasingly restricted amid tightened government control over media and speech.