Directions of activity of Ukrainian volunteers in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war: the Ukrainian media discourse (2014–2022)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of domestic media discourse on the main directions, content and significance of the Ukrainian volunteer movement during the years of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, scientificity, authorial objectivity, systematicity, socio-cultural approach, as well as general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special historical (historical-genetic, historical-comparative, historical-systemic, source criticism) methods. The study found that the greatest attention of the media was attracted by material assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other law enforcement agencies that participated in the Anti-terrorist operation / Joint Forces Operation. Journalists focused on the supply of uniforms, bulletproof vests, helmets, shoes, first-aid kits, food, and vehicles by volunteers for Ukrainian armed units. The media focused on the issue of volunteers’ participation in the training of military specialists, assistance to wounded soldiers who were treated in Ukraine and abroad, and the organization of psychological assistance to soldiers and demobilized people. Local volunteer initiatives attracted considerable attention, which clearly demonstrated the geographical scale of the Ukrainian volunteer movement. At the same time, attention was focused not only on volunteer organizations operating within cities and regions, but also on small groups of volunteers representing certain institutions (in particular, higher education institutions). Ukrainian journalists also paid attention to the volunteer initiatives of Ukrainian scientists who, on a non-profit basis, carried out innovative developments for the needs of the army. Attention was focused on social initiatives of volunteers, methods of raising funds for the needs of the army, veterans, and internally displaced persons. A number of volunteer organizations carried out the mission of searching for and exhuming the bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers.