The Aesthetics of “Credibility”
Russia’s Visual Disinformation in the War Against Ukraine
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Since 2014, Russia has relied not only on military force, but also on propaganda and disinformation in its war against Ukraine. Photographs and videos play a central role in this. The techniques of disinformation have clearly evolved since 2014. Deepfakes have taken the place of manipulating authentic images. Instead of a polished look, the raw aesthetic of combat footage is now used to suggest authenticity. At the same time, Russia is pursuing a strategy of undermining trust in images altogether. Artistic documentation can counter this process of delegitimization most effectively.
(Osteuropa 3-4/2026, pp. 97–106)