The Formation of a “New” Identity among Residents of the Occupied Donbas through Visual Propaganda (2014—2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/uhj2026.01.024Abstract
Abstract. The purpose of this article is to examine the role and technologies of visual propaganda as a key instrument of cultural occupation, ideological control, and the construction of a “new” identity among the local population in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donbas between 2014 and 2024. The methodology is based on interdisciplinary approaches that combine research tools from military history, visual anthropolog y, social psycholog y, propaganda studies, memory studies, and critical urbanism. The theoretical framework of the analysis incorporates the concepts of “visual control”, symbolic topography, and approaches to decoding the ideological content of images in public space. The study employs visual and discourse analysis of propaganda materials (posters, murals, installations), reports produced by occupation-controlled news agencies (specifically DAN and LIC), as well as spatial analysis of symbolic objects within the urban landscape. Contemporary specialized terminolog y is used throughout the text. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its systematic examination of visual propaganda as a cohesive, networked ecosystem that is centrally funded and managed by the Russian Federation. The article identifies strategies of recoding Soviet symbols and integrating them with newly created militarized “ZOV” imagery to legitimize contemporary aggression and militarize younger generations. The research findings demonstrate that the occupation regime deliberately employs visual culture to simulate historical continuity through the cult of the “Great Patriotic War Victory” and to cultivate an identity antagonistic to the Ukrainian one. It is shown that the propaganda system permeates all spheres of social life, pursuing the primary goal of creating a loyal mobilization reserve. The article concludes that visual practices constitute a crucial component of the Russian Federation’s institutionalized policy of ideological influence.
References
Fuko, M. (2020). Nahliadaty y karaty. Narodzhennia viaznytsi. Kyiv. [in Ukrainian].
Mirzoeff, N. (2023). An Introduction to Visual Culture. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429280238
Halbwachs, M. (1992). On Collective Memory. (L.A. Coser, Ed. & Trans.). University of Chicago Press. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226774497.001.0001
McGlynn, J. (2023). Russia’s War. Cambridge, Hoboken: Polity Press.
McGlynn, J. (2020). Reliving the Past. How the Russian Government and Media Use History to Frame the Present (PhD thesis). University of Oxford.
Pomerantsev, P. (2020). Tse ne prohahanda. Podorozh na viinu proty realnosti. Kyiv. [in Ukrainian].
Nikitina, E.N. (2024). Vopreki. DNR . Khroniki Russkoy Vesny. Moscow. [in Russian].
(2023). Prigozhin priznal, chto sozdal fabriku trolley. Deutsche Welle. 7.03.2023. URL: https://www.dw.com/ru/prigozin-priznal-cto-sozdal-fabriku-trollej/a-64700589 [in Russian].
(2023). Molodye hudozhniki DNR sozdadut obyedineniye dlya realizaciyi patrioticheskih art-proektov. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/molodye-xudozhniki-dnr-sozdadut-obedinenie-dlya-realizacii-patrioticheskih-art-proektov [in Russian].
(2014). V DNR vypustyat otkrytki s risunkami detey o voyne i poshlyut ih ukrainskim deputatam. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/v-dnr-vypustyat-otkrytki-s-risunkami-detej-o-vojne-i-poshlyut-ix-ukrainskim-deputatam [in Russian].
(2015). V stolitse DNR otkrylas vystavka “Letopis Pobedy”, posvyashhennaya frontovomu tvorchestvu zhiteley Donbassa. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/science/v-stolice-dnr-otkrylas-vystavka-letopis-pobedy-posvyashhennaya-frontovomu-tvorchestvu-zhitelej-donbassa/ [in Russian].
(2023). Boleye sotni risunkov srazhayushhihsya i pavshih zashhitnikov DNR predstavleno na vystavke v Donetske. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/science/bolee-sotni-risunkov-srazhayushhixsya-i-pavshix-zashhitnikov-dnr-predstavleno-na-vystavke-v-donecke [in Russian].
(2023). V Donetske otkrylas vystavka, posvyashhennaya 145-letney istorii goroda. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/science/v-donecke-otkrylas-vystavka-posvyashhennaya-145-letnej-istorii-goroda [in Russian].
Yasenov, E. (2014). Ulybka Novogodnego chuda. Avtorskyy sayt “Donetskiy”. 26.12.2014. URL: https://donjetsk.com/news_n/2706-ulybka-novogodnego-chuda.html [in Russian].
(2023). Donetskiy muzey VOV mozhet voyti v sostav mezhdunarodnoy associaciyi muzeynyh uchrezhdeniy. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/russia/doneckij-muzej-vov-mozhet-vojti-v-sostav-mezhdunarodnoj-associacii-muzejnyx-uchrezhdenij [in Russian].
(2016). Vystavka “Sovetskiy Nyurnberg” v Donetske vklyuchila 75 stendov s dokumentami o prestupleniyah natsistov. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 30.10.2016. URL: https://dan-news.ru/ukraine/vystavka-sovetskij-nyurnberg-v-donecke-vklyuchila-75-stendov-s-dokumentami-o-prestupleniyax-nacistov [in Russian].
(2024). Vystavka “Antifashistskaya grafika vremyon voyny” otkrylas v muzeye istorii Rovenkov. Lug-info.ru. URL: https://lug-info.ru/news/vystavka-antifashistskaya-grafika-vremen-voiny-otkrylas-v-muzee-istorii-rovenkov-foto-28174 [in Russian].
(2023). V Donecke ko Dnyu Shahtyora otkrylas unikalnaya vystavka lichnyh veshhey vydayushchihsya gornyakov Donbassa. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/v-donecke-ko-dnyu-shaxtera-otkrylas-unikalnaya-vystavka-lichnyx-veshhej-vydayushhixsya-gornyakov-donbassa [in Russian].
(2023). V Donetske otkrylas vystavka, posvyashchennaya borbe protiv natsizma byvshih soyuznyh respublik. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/science/v-donecke-otkrylas-vystavka-posvyashhennaya-borbe-protiv-nacizma-byvshix-soyuznyx-respublik [in Russian].
(2017). “Ubey fashista-izuvera. Otomsti” i drugie legendarnye plakaty privezeny na vystavku v Donetsk. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 05.09.2017. URL: https://dan-news.ru/russia/ubej-fashista-izuvera-otomsti-i-drugie-legendarnye-plakaty-privezeny-na-vystavku-v-doneck [in Russian].
(2017). Portret Doktora Lizy raboty donetskoy hudozhnitsy ukrasit vystavku ko Dnyu Respubliki v “Art-Donbasse”. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 21.04.2017. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/portret-doktora-lizy-raboty-doneckoj-xudozhnicy-ukrasit-vystavku-ko-dnyu-respubliki-v-artdonbasse/ [in Russian].
(2019). Igrovaya ploshhadka ot fonda Doktora Lizy oborudovana vo dvore Glavnoy detskoy bolnitsy DNR. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 30.05.2019. URL: https://dan-news.ru/russia/igrovaya-ploshhadka-ot-fonda-doktora-lizi-oborudovana-vo-dvore-glavnoj-detskoj-bolnicy-dnr [in Russian].
(2021). Kopiya pamyatnika Elizavete Glinke peredana iz Rossii v Donetsk. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 17.03.2021. URL: https://dan-news.ru/russia/kopija-pamyatnika-elizavete-glinke-peredana-iz-rossii-v-doneck [in Russian].
(2021). Imya Doktora Lizy prisvoyeno Respublikanskoy detskoy bolnitse v Donetske. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 27.05.2021. URL: https://dan-news.ru/russia/imja-doktora-lizi-prisvoeno-respublikanskoj-detskoj-bolnice-v-donecke [in Russian].
(2022). Lider “Spravedlivoy Rossii” prinyal uchastiye v zakladke skvera imeni Elizavety Glinki. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 03.06.2022. URL: https://dan-news.ru/foto/lider-spravedlivoj-rossii-prinjal-uchastie-v-zakladke-skvera-imeni-elizavety [in Russian].
(2017). Doneckiy krayevedcheskiy muzey v Den pamyati i skorbi otkryl dve vystavki, posvyashchennye VOV. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 22.06.2017. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/doneckij-kraevedcheskij-muzey-v-den-pamyati-i-skorbi-otkryl-dve-vystavki-posvyashhennye-vov/ [in Russian].
(2020). Doneckiy krayevedcheskiy muzey obyavil konkurs plakatov po sluchayu 75-y godovshchiny Velikoy Pobedy. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 13.03.2020. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/doneckij-kraevedcheskij-muzey-obyavil-o-konkurse-plakatov-po-sluchayu-75-j-godovshhiny-velikoj-pobedy [in Russian].
(2020). V DNR startoval konkurs plakatov, posvyashchyonnyh 75-y godovshhine Velikoy Pobedy. KP Donetsk. 14.03.2020. URL: https://www.donetsk.kp.ru/online/news/3795610/ [in Russian].
(2023). Boleye polusotni kartin i plakatov predstavleny v hudmuzeye Donetska na vystavke k 80-letiyu s nachala VOV. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 17.06.2023. URL: https://dan-news.ru/science/bolee-polusotni-kartin-i-plakatov-predstavleny-v-hudmuzee-donecka-na-vystavke-k-80-letiju-s-nachala-vov [in Russian].
(2023). Nyurnbergskiy process, sovetskaya grafika: chto interesnogo pokazhut? Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/culture/petr-stolypin-njurnbergskij-process-sovetskaja-grafika-chto-interesnogo-pokazhut/ [in Russian].
(2023). V Donetske predstavili multimediynuyu vystavku plakatov vremen VOV iz fondov moskovskogo Muzeya Pobedy. Donetskoye Agentstvo Novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/culture/v-donecke-predstavili-multimedijnuju-vystavku-plakatov-vremen-vov-iz-fondov/ [in Russian].
(2023). Okolo 35 tys. donchan primut uchastiye v aktsii protesta “Den zavisimosti Ukrayiny”. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/okolo-35-tys-donchan-primut-uchastie-v-akcii-protesta-den-zavisimosti-ukrainy/ [in Russian].
(2015). Zubchenko, O. Gaulyayteru Ukrainy Petru Poroshenko. Topwar.ru. 25.08.2015. URL: https://topwar.ru/81144-gaulyayteru-ukrainy-petru-poroshenko.htm [in Russian].
(2023). Bolee 60 tys. zhiteley DNR prinyali uchastiye v shestvii protiv vvedeniya vooruzhennoy missii OBSE v Donbass. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/bolee-60-tys-zhitelej-dnr-prinyali-uchastie-v-shestvii-protiv-vvedeniya-vooruzhennoj-missii-obse-v-donbass/ [in Russian].
(2023). Zhiteli DNR na mitinge osudili propagandu voyny i pomoshch donetskih greko-katolikov VSU. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/zhiteli-dnr-na-mitinge-osudili-propagandu-vojny-i-pomoshh-doneckix-greko-katolikov-vsu [in Russian].
(2015). Donetskie studenty pozdravili veteranov s 70-letiyem podnyatiya znameni pobedy nad Reyhstagom. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/doneckie-studenty-pozdravili-veteranov-s-70-letiem-podnyatiya-znameni-pobedy-nad-rejxstagom [in Russian].
(2019). “Nash vybor — Rossiya”: miting na glavnoy ploshchadi Donetska v Den Rossiyi sobral okolo 40 tysyach chelovek. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 12.06.2019. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/nash-vybor-rossiya-miting-na-glavnoj-ploshhadi-donecka-v-den-rossii-sobral-okolo-40-tysyach-chelovek/ [in Russian].
(2023). Na odnoy iz ploshchadey Donetska ustanovili installyatsiyu “MyDoma”. Doneckoye agentstvo novostey (DAN). URL: https://dan-news.ru/exclusive/na-odnoj-iz-ploschadej-donecka-ustanovili-installjaciju-mydoma [in Russian].
(2023). Na yuge DNR vysadili geoglif “MYVMESTE” iz 15 000 sazhencev redkogo duba. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 30.09.2023. URL: https://dan-news.ru/exclusive/na-juge-dnr-vysadili-geoglif-myvmeste-iz-15000-sazhencev-redkogo-duba [in Russian].
(2023). Kontseptsiya sosnovogo geoglifa “DNR” na vostoke Respubliki uzhe vidna s vysoty. DNR-News. 12.04.2023. URL: https://dnr-news.ru/society/2023/04/12/297862.html [in Russian].
(2021). Pokrovskiy sobor, samovar i matreshki: V Donetske otkrylas vystavka tsvetov “God russkoy kultury”. Doneckoye agentstvo novostey (DAN). 29.08.2021. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/pokrovskij-sobor-samovar-i-matreshki-v-donecke-otkrylas-vystavka-cvetov-god-russkoj-kultury/ [in Russian].
(2024). Aydentika DNR . Studiya Smysl. 15.10.2024. URL: https://smysl.studio/aidentika-dnr [in Russian].
(2016). V den rozhdeniya Olesya Buziny yego portret poyavilsya na zdanii v tsentre stolicy DNR. Donetskoe agentstvo novostey (DAN). 13.07.2016. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/v-den-rozhdeniya-olesya-buziny-ego-portret-poyavilsya-na-zdanii-v-centre-stolicy-dnr/ [in Russian].
(2023). V Kirovskom poyavilsya mural s izobrazheniyem Pervogo Glavy DNR. Doneckoye agentstvo novostey (DAN). 12.11.2023. URL: https://dan-news.ru/obschestvo/foto-v-kirovskom-pojavilsja-mural-s-izobrazheniem-pervogo-glavy-dnr/ [in Russian].
(2023). Mural v chest Geroya Rossii i LNR Denisa Ivanova otkrylsya v Alchevske. Luganskiy informatsionnyy tsentr. 23.08.2023. URL: https://lug-info.ru/news/mural-v-chest-geroja-rossii-i-lnr-denisa-ivanova-otkrylsja-v-alchevske/ [in Russian].
(2021). Khudozhniki zavershili mural pamyati Arsena Pavlova na odnoy iz vysotok v tsentre Donetska (FOTO). Donetskoye agentstvo novostey (DAN). 1.10.2021. URL: https:// dan-news.ru/defence/xudozhniki-zavershili-mural-pamyati-arsena-pavlova-na-odnoj-iz-vysotok-v-centre-donecka-foto/ [in Russian].
(2023). V tsentre Donetska poyavilos novoye graffiti. Bloknot Donetsk. 7.05.2023. URL: https://bloknot-donetsk.ru/news/v-tsentre-donetska-poyavilos-novoe-graffiti-1600300 [in Russian].
(2023). Ne prosto risunki: graffiti v Donetske — krik dushi i poslanie vsemu miru. Rossiyskaya gazeta. 30.08.2023. URL: https://rg.ru/2023/08/30/ne-prosto-risunki-graffiti-v-donecke-krik-dushi-i-poslanie-vsemu-miru.html [in Russian].
