The main themes of Russian propaganda in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region before the pseudo-referendum

Abstract

As of the end of February 2022, the Zaporizhzhia region is 70 per cent occupied. In an attempt to hold on to the occupied territory, the Russians have begun preparations for a referendum on the annexation of the Zaporizhzhia region to the Russian Federation. The article presents the main propaganda themes disseminated before the pseudo-referendum in the official telegram channel of the Russian propaganda newspaper „Zaporozhskyi Viestnik”. Furthermore, the article describes the ideological basis of Russian propaganda and the process of disseminating propaganda content and creating an alternative picture of reality in the occupied territories.