The Mythology of “Unity” as a Tool of Domination: Analysis of Russian Discourse and Methods of Overcoming It

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the genesis, structure and modern functioning of the Russian propaganda myth about “fraternal peoples” and “common history”. The aim of the study is an analysis of the origins and evolution of the Russian myth of "fraternal peoples" and "common history", the identification of its propaganda components, the clarification of the mechanisms of reproduction and methods of demythologizing. The methodological basis of the work is the principles of interdisciplinary analysis, combining historical-comparative, cultural-communicative, discourse-analysis and psychopolitical approaches. Historical, philosophical, cultural and media studies of Ukrainian and foreign scholars (M. Hrushevsky, S. Plokhiy, O. Zabuzhko, T. Gundorova, M. Nazarov) are used, which allows us to trace the evolution of the myth in the context of imperial, Soviet and post-Soviet discourses. As a result, three key information mechanisms of its reproduction are identified: information replication, historical manipulation and emotional-symbolic programming, which form a system of ideological influence that ensures the preservation of colonial models of thinking and asymmetrical relations between Ukraine and Russia. It is proven that the myth of “unity” performs a legitimizing function, supporting the image of “natural brotherhood” and the moral duty of subordination. The article argues that effective demythologizing of this construct is possible through three interconnected levels: historical (refutation of falsified theses about “common origin”), cultural-communicative (affirmation of Ukrainian identity and independent cultural narrative) and psychopolitical (destruction of the “younger brother” complex and construction of a narrative of dignity). It is concluded that the deconstruction of the imperial myth is not only an intellectual task, but also a component of the strategy for strengthening Ukrainian statehood, cultural self-sufficiency and information security.