Media as Resistance: Digital Multimedia in Wartime Ukraine

• In Event: Resilience to Information Disorders: Policy Solutions, Media Strategies, Social Practices

Abstract

This research explores how digital multimedia projects resist disinformation and foster solidarity during Russia’s war on Ukraine. Focusing on United24 Media, Svidomi, and Ukraїner, it examines how these platforms leverage social media, crowdfunding, and digital storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices and mobilize global support.

United24 Media, a state-affiliated project, crafts narratives to counter Russian disinformation and strengthen Ukraine’s nation branding with a primary focus on social media platforms. Svidomi, a grassroots social-media outlet, provides real-time reporting and engages younger audiences. Ukraїner, a cultural platform, documents daily life and war realities, reinforcing national identity through long-form multimedia storytelling.

At the intersection of media, strategic communication, and digital advocacy, these platforms reshape public perception, challenge hybrid warfare tactics, and construct a narrative of resilience and unity. This presentation highlights how alternative digital media transcend traditional journalism, redefining media’s role in global discourse and resistance.

Author

• Viktoriia Savchuk Kennet, U of Maryland, College Park