Mechanisms and Strategies for the Infiltration of Russian Narratives into Western Public Discourse

This study examines the complex process of Russian narratives’ infiltration into Western public discourse, highlighting specific mechanisms and strategies, as well as the structures that employ them. The relevance of the study stems from the key role of information space and soft power technologies in the contemporary geopolitical landscape, as well as from the intensifying confrontation between Russia and the West. This analysis develops a conceptual framework for soft power technologies, identifying their functional interrelations and synergistic potential. The empirical base includes materials for the study from Russian media (RT, Sputnik, TASS), Western media (Bloomberg, The Guardian, New York Times), official documents, and online resources. The study’s methodological framework utilizes comparative and contrastive methods, content analysis, and discourse analysis, enabling a multifaceted study of the mechanisms of narrative dissemination. The study identified key Russian narratives, their negative perception in Western discourse, and their influence on public opinion. Events that contributed to the increased dissemination of Russian narratives in Western public opinion were also analyzed. Particular attention was paid to identifying the “hidden” network of narrative dissemination and analyzing its key players. The study found that the effectiveness of Russian narratives is achieved through targeted promotion across various platforms, integrated use of various tools and active use of “covert” communication channels. The final section emphasizes the importance of investing in soft power technologies as a strategic tool for achieving Russia’s foreign policy goals in contemporary geopolitical competition.

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