For ten years, Ukrainian blogger and journalist Denys Kazanskyi has been closely monitoring and analysing Russian propaganda on a daily basis, tirelessly exposing its fabrications.
“I’m probably their most loyal viewer, their most disciplined fan,” Kazanskyi jokes. “Honestly, no one watches as much of this content as I do. I’ve seen every single interview with Strelkov. No other ‘admirer’ of Girkin would do that, I’m absolutely certain of that, and I’d like to emphasise that.” [Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov) is a former Russian intelligence officer and one of the key figures in the early stages of Russia’s war against Ukraine, known for his role in the occupation of Donbas – ed.]
Born and raised in Donetsk, Denys has an intimate understanding of the region, which he has explored in detail in his books, Black Fever and How Ukraine Lost Donbas.
Advertisement:
When Russia’s aggression began in 2014, Kazanskyi was forced to relocate to Kyiv. Despite this, he continues to closely monitor life in the Russian-occupied territories and in his hometown.
How has the Russian occupation reshaped the elites in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and impacted the region’s development? What are the narratives that Russian propaganda feeds to its audience? And how can anyone study Russian media in depth without going crazy – or even starting to believe it?
Ukrainska Pravda discussed all these issues with Denys Kazanskyi. This is an abridged version of our conversation – the full interview is available on Ukrainska Pravda’s YouTube channel.
“I study delusional Russians”
You are one of the few people who meticulously track and analyse Russian propaganda. How many hours a day do you spend watching this content?
Probably more than eight hours a day. It’s a significant part of my life.
Fortunately I’ve found some people to help me now. For instance, there’s a young woman who reviews the content I ask her to and cuts it down into clips.
If it weren’t for Russia’s constant aggression, I’d probably focus on something entirely different: perhaps I’d be a science populariser or a literary critic, run a history blog or write about intriguing facts. But instead, I’m compelled to study delusional individuals. That’s just the reality we live in.
Advertisement:
How do you manage to watch Russian propaganda without losing your mind or starting…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Ukrainska Pravda…