Russian propaganda narratives against Ukraine: cognitive structure and strategic functions (2014–2025)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze key Russian propaganda narratives used as instruments of cognitive aggression against Ukraine in 2014–2025. The study focuses on identifying their functional purpose, ideological heritage, and role in legitimizing the Russian Federation's military aggression. The methodological basis of the publication is based on structural-analytical and comparative approaches, as well as the generalization of the results of published studies of Russian information campaigns in political, media, and diplomatic discourse. The scientific novelty of the work lies in its approach to Russian propaganda narratives as an integrated system of cognitive operations that shape the boundaries of perception, emotional reactions, and the logic of political decision-making, and makes it possible to trace their evolution and ideological continuity during 2014–2025. Conclusions. The article shows that basic Russian propaganda narratives (“Nazi regime”, “one people,” “illegitimate government,” “war with NATO,” inversion of guilt) form a stable semantic framework within which the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine is presented as necessary, morally justified, and historically determined. These narratives perform a number of complementary functions. These are the legitimization of violence, the mobilization of Russian society, the neutralization of the aggressor state's responsibility, and the disorientation of external audiences. All of the above narratives are systemic and reproducible. They draw on the ideological legacy of the Soviet and imperial periods and function as elements of the Russian Federation’s targeted cognitive operations. Beyond their immediate propaganda role, these narratives are intended to shape long-term patterns of perception and interpretation. In the context of hybrid warfare, they are used to influence political decision-making, public attitudes, and international responses.