The informational and religious dimension of the russian federation's hybrid aggression against Ukraine
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as one of the instruments of the Russian Federation's hybrid aggression against Ukraine. The ROC is considered not onl y as a religious institution, but also as an element of political and ideological influence integrated into the Kremlin's state strategy. The key directions and forms of the information influence of the ROC on the Ukrainian media space are investigated, in particular through the formation of alternative interpretations of events, the legitimization of the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation, and the undermining of Ukrainian state identity. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the mechanisms of manipulating public opinion through religious rhetoric, the sacralization of political narratives, and the appeal to a «common spiritual space». The use of church structures associated with the Russian Orthodox Church as channels for broadcasting pro-Russian messages is highlighted. The main tools of information influence are analyzed, including: control over religious media resources, involvement of the clergy in the public promotion of Kremlin concepts, as well as the systematic dissemination of disinformation regarding the religious situation in Ukraine with the aim of forming a negative international image of the state. It is substantiated that the destructive consequences of hybrid warfare are manifested in the exacerbation of interfaith contradictions, which cause social polarization, local religious conflicts, and deepening social divisions. It is emphasized that targeted informational influence through the religious sphere contributes to the erosion of Ukrainian national identity and the manipulation of mass consciousness through the systematic spread of disinformation. Such practices undermine citizens' trust in state institutions, weaken social stability, and create favorable conditions for destabilizing the domestic political situation. A comprehensive strategy for countering information aggression is proposed, which involves strengthening state regulation of media resources within democratic standards, ensuring information sovereignty, and improving the regulatory framework in the field of information security. Special attention is paid to the need for institutional support for autocephalous churches as a factor of national consolidation, the development of critical thinking and media literacy of the population, as well as the creation of high-quality, competitive alternative religious content capable of neutralizing destructive informational influences.
Source: Society and Security
Author: Oksana Lytvynchuk
Institution: Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7140214360