Propaganda networks, media imperialism, and the war in Ukraine

Abstract This article examines modern propaganda from historical and theoretical perspectives, considering it in the context of the crisis of the international order, which is most evident in new imperialist military conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine. The analysis traces the history and theoretical frameworks of propaganda, drawing on Marxist theories of imperialism, critiques of mass communication and Nazi propaganda by the Frankfurt School, and the concept of media imperialism. As a case study, the article examines contemporary Russian propaganda, considering it symptomatic of the crisis in the global information and media spheres. The article presents the history of the Russian post-Soviet media landscape under Putin, emphasizing its transformation from privatized broadcasting to state-controlled media alongside the broadband revolution of the late 2000s. The article analyzes the integration of Russian media into global information networks, as well as current propaganda, in the context of recent geopolitical challenges, information security doctrines, militarist ideology, and the ongoing imperialist war in Ukraine.