Memories and Memes of War: An Analysis of Collective Memory and National Identity in Ukraine and Russia

Abstract (English)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not only a military conflict but also a struggle over memory, identity, and legitimacy. Both nations are actively reshaping and weaponizing collective memory to serve their respective wartime agendas.

In Russia, the state invokes the mythologized memory of the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945) to cultivate a sense of historical continuity, moral righteousness, and national sacrifice. This narrative frames Russia as a perennial victim of foreign aggression and a heroic liberator, creating fertile ground for Putin’s justification of the war as a necessary “denazification” mission—an echo of the Soviet fight against Nazi Germany. This rhetorical strategy draws on emotionally resonant imagery and secular myths, casting the invasion of Ukraine as part of a sacred national duty rather than imperial aggression. It helps shore up domestic support and suppress dissent by aligning the war effort with a deeply ingrained, almost sacred, historical memory.

On the other side, Ukraine has embraced digital culture and grassroots communication—especially memes—as tools to galvanize national identity and resist Russian disinformation. These memes serve as humorous yet potent symbols of defiance, reclaiming agency in the face of existential threat. They often mock Russian stereotypes, glorify Ukrainian resilience, and solidify a civic identity rooted in freedom and sovereignty. In this sense, Ukraine's use of humor, satire, and virality becomes a form of participatory memory-making, empowering ordinary citizens to shape the national narrative and reaffirm their distinction from Russia.

Ultimately, both countries demonstrate how collective memory functions as a strategic asset in wartime—Russia leaning on a glorified past to legitimize aggression, and Ukraine crafting a living, digital memory to affirm its future as a distinct and democratic nation.