Erotica as a weapon in the spectrum of information and psychological operations conducted by the Russian Federation in Crimea (1991–2014)

Abstract

The article shows that sexuality - eroticism, pornography, and, above all, homophobic rhetoric - functions as a systemic tool of the Russian Federation's information and psychological operations against Ukraine in Crimea. Based on the content analysis of 594 TV stories (ORT, NTV, Russia Today, 2004-2014), print and online media, materials from anti-NATO rallies and protests against Sea Breeze in Feodosia in 2006, as well as narratives about Artek and Gayropa/Gayromaidan, the author traces how “sexualized” propaganda constructs the opposition “moral Russia - depraved West/Ukraine”. The appeal to “traditional values,” reinforced by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's cult of hypermasculinity, served three key functions: demonizing Ukraine's pro-European choice, mobilizing pro-Russian groups on the peninsula, and legitimizing Russian aggression under the slogan of “protecting traditional values.”

The main accelerator was homophobia: about 80% of “pre-war” Ukrainians had a negative attitude toward LGBT people, which created the perfect ground for tropes like ‘gayropa’ and “tolerance.” Focusing on the “sexual threat to children” (the case of Artek is illustrative) provoked an immediate moral panic and long-term dehumanization of the opponent. The image of “macho Putin” was contrasted with “feminine/deviant” Ukrainian leaders, reinforcing the hierarchy of “male” power in Russia. In Crimea, this rhetoric was superimposed on a post-Soviet mix of media censorship and conservative sentiment, which greatly simplified the path to annexation in 2014.

The author concludes that sexuality in the hands of propagandists has become a convenient lever for polarizing and legitimizing aggression, and effective resistance is only possible with high media literacy and fast fact-checking mechanisms.