Propaganda as a weapon of war: Research reveals the influence of Kremlin narratives on Russian soldiers

New research has raised serious concerns about the role of Russian propaganda as an active instrument in the war against Ukraine, arguing that disinformation is not simply part of the informational background of the conflict, but a mechanism that directly influences the mobilization and combat behavior of Russian soldiers.

The study, conducted by the non-governmental organization LingvaLexa, with the support of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine and the involvement of an international expert in social psychology, is based on interviewing 1,060 Russian prisoners of war, using standardized questionnaires and psychometric instruments, to analyze the link between belief in Kremlin narratives and behavior on the battlefield.

According to the findings, 76.95 percent of the soldiers surveyed believed at least one Kremlin propaganda narrative, while 68.29 percent considered the so-called "Special Military Operation" legitimate and justified.

The researchers found that soldiers who believed more strongly in Russian propaganda were six times more likely to consider the invasion justified, were almost twice as willing to fight again after captivity, showed a greater tendency to dehumanize Ukrainians, and were less likely to surrender voluntarily.

According to the report, these results show that propaganda not only serves to justify war, but functions as one of the engines that fuels it.

Anti-Western narratives at the center of mobilization

A central part of the research relates to the anti-Western narratives used by the Kremlin, which present the war not only as a conflict against Ukraine, but as a confrontation with NATO, Europe, and the Western order.

Among the most prevalent narratives tested were claims that Ukraine is a “puppet of the West,” that NATO is waging war against Russia through Ukraine, and that the Russian invasion is a defensive move to prevent a Western attack.

According to the study, up to 80 percent of soldiers surveyed expressed belief, to varying degrees, in these claims.

The study's authors point out that anti-Western narratives make up nearly 45 percent of the Kremlin's entire propaganda package justifying the war, indicating that ideological messages about "defending Russian values" against "Western decadence" are an integral part of the war motivation.

One of the most significant findings, according to the report, is that these narratives are as powerful as any other form of propaganda in inciting dehumanization, continued fighting, and a willingness to reenlist.

Propaganda as a weapon of aggression

The study argues that state propaganda should be seen as a weapon of war and not just as political communication.

According to the authors, the results create a basis for treating propaganda as an element that can be linked to the crime of aggression, demanding accountability not only for the direct perpetrators of war, but also for those who plan, produce, and disseminate narratives that incite aggression.

The report highlights that propagandists who act as spokespeople for aggressive state policy can be considered accomplices in the crime of aggression, due to the direct impact their messages have on military mobilization and motivation.

The authors warn that the Kremlin's information warfare does not stop at Ukraine's borders, but also aims to undermine the unity and values ​​of European societies.

In conclusion, the study concludes that propaganda is not simply a tool of manipulation, but a functional component of aggression, requiring that it be treated as part of the mechanisms that enable war.

The Geopost