Loyal Critics: How Pro-Russian Bloggers Combined Embedded Journalism and Propaganda on Telegram During Russia’s War in Ukraine

Abstract

This study conducts a visual and textual analysis of over 700 posts to examine how three popular pro-Russian war bloggers used Telegram to share propagandistic and journalistic messages while embedded with Russian troops during Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Findings reveal that the bloggers parroted and supported the narratives of Russian President Vladimir Putin by sharing examples of them allegedly happening on the frontlines. Similar to embedded journalists’ support of the American war effort in Iraq during the early 2000s, the bloggers aided in and participated in the Russian war effort. However, they challenged the roles of state propagandists by delivering surprisingly candid independent criticism of Russian army leadership while simultaneously supporting Putin’s war. This study answers scholarly calls for increased academic scholarship on the connections between journalism and propaganda. It also contributes an understanding of a newer Russian propaganda strategy that mixes criticism with continued loyalty to the war.