Core Claim and Purpose
The assertion of systemic discrimination against Russian speakers and forced "Ukrainization" is a propaganda myth used by the Kremlin to justify aggression, demoralize the population, and sow internal division. Before the Russian aggression (2014–2021), no cases of systemic oppression of Russian-speaking citizens were recorded, and the language was freely used in all spheres of life.
Propaganda Mechanisms
- Repetition of slogans about "persecution of the Russian language" and "banning Russian";
- Emotional substitution: promotion of the state language is presented as infringement of Russian speakers' rights;
- Creating a false dilemma: either Russian dominates, or it is "destroyed";
- Stigmatization of Ukrainian policy: any measures supporting the Ukrainian language are framed as discrimination.
Actual Language Policy
Ukraine's Law No. 2704-VIII (2019) "On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language":
- Regulates the use of Ukrainian in the public sphere: government service, media, education;
- Does not restrict Russian in private life, private schools, religious, or cultural activities;
- Complies with recommendations of the Venice Commission (2019) on language laws and minority rights (Venice Commission, 2019).
Reports from the OSCE, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International confirm that Russian is freely used in daily life, education, and media (OSCE Ukraine Reports).
Actual Situation of Russian Speakers
- Russian is widely represented in media, publishing, and online, especially in southeastern regions;
- Russian speakers actively participate in government bodies and the Ukrainian armed forces;
- No recorded cases of criminal prosecution for using Russian;
- Cultural and educational projects in Russian continue in private and public spheres.
Legal Context
Ukraine observes international standards:
- Article 26 of the Ukrainian Constitution guarantees minority language rights (text);
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 27, protects minority cultural rights (text);
- Legislation does not restrict Russian in private life, religious, or cultural activities;
- The propaganda claim masks actual violations in Russian-occupied territories, where real bans and repression occur.
Internal Contradictions of the Myth
- If Russian is "banned," why do millions of Russian-speaking Ukrainians actively participate in elections, work in state and municipal bodies, serve in the military and law enforcement? (OSCE Ukraine Reports).
- Why do they continue using Russian in media, culture, and education without facing criminal or administrative persecution?
- Why do restrictions only occur in temporarily Russian-occupied territories, where real bans, violence, and forced imposition of Russian are recorded, including threats and repression (HRW 2024)?
- Why does the propaganda narrative ignore official data from Ukrainian and international organizations confirming linguistic diversity and free use of Russian in private and public spheres?
Purpose of the Propaganda
- Justifying Russian aggression through the myth of "protecting Russian speakers," creating an illusion of "need for intervention";
- Sowing internal division, demoralizing the population, and generating cognitive resistance to facts;
- Creating a "legitimate" agenda for occupying territories and increasing control over the population in captured regions;
- Using the myth as a tool of information pressure on the international community to justify Russia's actions and conceal real violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in wartime (ICRC, Geneva Conventions).
Conclusion
Ukraine preserves linguistic and cultural diversity. Support for the Ukrainian language as the state language is standard practice in many countries and does not violate the rights of Russian-speaking citizens. All actual oppression occurred exclusively in temporarily Russian-occupied territories, where restrictions, violence, and repression are recorded, completely disproving the myth of "systemic persecution" before 2022. The propaganda claim is used to justify aggression, demoralize the population, and manipulate international opinion.
Main Sources and Materials
- Ukraine Law No. 2704-VIII (2019) and Venice Commission opinion (Venice Commission, 2019)
- OSCE Reports: OSCE Ukraine Reports
- Human Rights Watch: HRW 2024
- Amnesty International: AI 2019–2025
- Sociological studies by KIIS, Razumkov Center
- Monitoring by EUvsDisinfo, Atlantic Council DFRLab
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 27 (text)
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
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Last modified date: 25/11/2025