Presentation of Research on the Impact of Propaganda on Combat Motivation: A Joint Event with the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine

On April 2, 2025, NGO LingvaLexa, in cooperation with the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, held a presentation of the research “Words That Kill: How Russian Propaganda Shapes Mobilization and Combat Motivation.” The event formed part of ongoing efforts to bridge empirical research with the practical needs of institutions operating in the context of armed conflict.

During the event, the findings of the research were presented, based on an analysis of how propaganda narratives influence the formation of attitudes and behavioral patterns among military personnel. Particular attention was given to the role of perceived legitimacy of the war in shaping combat motivation, offering a re-evaluation of conventional approaches that primarily focus on ideological or identity-based factors.

The speaker was Jais Adam-Troian, Associate Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University. In his presentation, the speaker outlined the key findings of the research and their relevance for legal practice, particularly in the context of working with prisoners of war.

NGO LingvaLexa expresses its sincere gratitude to the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, in particular to Mr. Andrii Halai, for the invitation to participate in the event, as well as for the high level of organization and for facilitating an interdisciplinary professional dialogue.

The event brought together representatives of the academic community, as well as practitioners directly engaged in work with prisoners of war, including staff of social and educational units. This composition of participants enabled a meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue between researchers and professionals involved in the implementation of policies in the penitentiary sector.

The discussion addressed the impact of propaganda on the formation of behavioral patterns among prisoners of war, as well as opportunities to improve practices in line with the requirements of the Geneva Conventions. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to implement evidence-based approaches and to integrate interdisciplinary methods into the work of penitentiary institutions.

NGO LingvaLexa is committed to ensuring that the results of its research have practical application and are integrated into the work of state institutions, particularly in the context of armed conflict. Events of this kind contribute to strengthening institutional capacity in the field of international humanitarian law and to the development of practices grounded in verified data.

The event is produced by NGO LingvaLexa in a partnership with the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine - a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden.