Russia’s typical frames of civilian harm cases in the fullscale Russo-Ukrainian war: exploratory frame analysis (2022–2024 data)
Russia’s typical frames of civilian harm cases in the fullscale Russo-Ukrainian war: exploratory frame analysis (2022–2024 data)

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory study is to preliminarily highlight the key frames that Russia uses within its strategic communication to explain the cases of civilian harm done by its forces in the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war. The main research method applied in the research is the qualitative frame analysis of the messages by Russia’s communicators (primarily, state officials) that were spread in 2022 – 2024. The sample of civilian harm cases is identified based on the randomized selection from the Bellingcat dataset. Entman’s (1993) analytical framework of the 4 frame functions is used in interpretation of the results. The results show that Russian communicators apply the set of at least three frame types (ignoration, hit military targets, and anti-Russian insinuation) to interpret Russia’s war crimes in a favorable light. On the other hand, two more less typical, but important frame types are identified (depersonalized accident and vengeance). The results indicate Russia’s attempts to legitimize or reinterpret its war crimes and serve as a theoretical base for further studies of Russia’s framing within its strategic communication.

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