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Media Space in the Context of the Integration of Ukrainian Society during the Russian-Ukrainian War

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The authors of the publication:
Borysenko Valentyna
p.:
55–63
UDC:
316.77:323.1]:355.01(477:470)“20”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/nte2026.02.055
Bibliographic description:
Borysenko, V. (2026) Media Space in the Context of the Integration of Ukrainian Society during the Russian-Ukrainian War. Folk Art and Ethnology, 2 (410), 55–63.
Received:
02.03.2026
Recommended for publishing:
18.05.2026
Рublished
26.05.2026

Author

Borysenko Valentyna

a Doctor of History, a professor, a leading research fellow at the Ukrainian Ethnological Centre Department of M. Rylskyi Institute of Art Studies, Folkloristics and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine).

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1342-2363

 

Media Space in the Context of the Integration of Ukrainian Society during the Russian-Ukrainian War

 

Abstract

The essence and factors of the formation and transformation of national identity in the period of the Russian-Ukrainian war are revealed in the article. Extremely difficult conditions of survival create a certain instability and then many members of society think about changes in their inner world. The sense of national identity acquires special features of stability, steadfastness, which is the predominant feature. However, certain fears and disappointments, human grief from the loss of loved ones leads temporarily to a blurred identity. However this phenomenon is fleeting and the main features of heredity and integrity remain. An important role in preserving national identity belongs to the processes and activities of the information front, the media space. Media professionals often abuse superficial judgments about life of the society, distort or overly emphasize events taking place in pro-government structures, thereby introducing some confusion into behavioral norms. But giving credit to Ukrainian society, the fact of its stability and steadfastness in the ideals of patriotism, heroism, and courage is obvious. These are the predominant features in the integration of society in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war. It is important to promote the best Ukrainian traditions of mutual assistance, volunteering, mutual understanding between local communities and internally displaced persons in the society. The necessity to convince young people with positive examples is emphasized in the article as well as to provide knowledge about family values, loyalty, and the unity of people in difficult situations in the media space widely and deeply. Special respect belongs to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is worth focusing on the heroization of daily feats, assistance to the wounded, orphans and widows. The special significance of media workers in the case of the integration of society is emphasized.

 

Keywords

Russian aggression, community cohesion, Ukrainians, integration, media space, society, identity, resilience, patriotism, unity, internally displaced persons.

 

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