Presentation of the research “New Weapon in the Shadows: How the Kremlin Uses Video Games for War Propaganda” at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

On October 9, LingvaLexa presented its research “A New Weapon of Influence: How the Kremlin Uses Video Games for War Propaganda” at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

The event gathered a large audience of students and professors eager to understand how digital entertainment is turning into a tool of propagandist influence.

During the presentation, the authors of the research explained how the Russian gaming industry has gradually become part of the state’s propaganda strategy. They analyzed examples of games in which Russian messages are integrated into gameplay, storylines, and online communities.

The discussion that followed became one of the most engaging moments of the event. Students and faculty raised complex questions about the ethical boundaries of using war as a narrative theme, the responsibility of developers, and the idea of “Russianness” in games within a global context. They debated whether a game created with Russian resources or cultural codes can be considered neutral, how to respond to the sale of Ukrainian games in Russia, and how to prevent the spread of Russian content in Western markets.

The presentation at KNU demonstrated that the academic community is ready to reflect on video games as a social phenomenon that shapes perceptions of war, heroism, and the enemy. Most importantly, it showed that young people are ready to ask sharp questions about responsibility, media literacy, and information security in the digital age.