Analyzing the trends of the past year and the beginning of this one, I can reasonably assume that in 2026 Russia will invest even more heavily in media soft power — especially in projects that automatically step over Ukrainians (that is, avoid the topic of the war) and instead focus on direct interaction between fictional “ordinary russians” and foreign characters.

I’m not claiming that specific works are already being directly funded by Russia — no, I’m not that conspiratorial.

The issue is rather that Russia is closely observing the consistent reactions of global audiences. If a likable russian character resonates with western viewers, many of them are quick to dismiss the voices of real ukrainians, who recognize this pattern because they themselves have witnessed it repeatedly over the years: influence built through a positive, fictional image of the “average russian,” intensified during periods of Russian military aggression abroad.

Typically, this character never speaks about the war and has no direct connection to the military. This reinforces a boundary between “ordinary Russians” and “Russian soldiers.” But for that boundary to function, narratives ensure that the former almost never intersect with the latter — or, at the very least, never discuss politics with them. This creates a comfortable blank space for foreign audiences, allowing them to project whatever political stance they want onto the fictional russian character.

The second stage of this media influence emerges once such a work gains popularity and ukrainians or other oppressed and negatively affected groups begin openly expressing discomfort and criticism. For many fans — especially fans of the character — this negatively affects their enjoyment. The war has already impacted the lives of foreigners in indirect ways, and when someone additionally refuses to let them “relax,” irritation sets in. It becomes even worse when that person is perceived as being connected to the source of the discomfort — even if they are a victim.

“Can’t they just calm down and enjoy a show about ordinary life, about the comforting stability of a fictional world, while everything is burning in reality?”

This creates a conflict of interests in which each side increasingly frustrates the other, pushing them further apart.

At the same time, sympathy naturally shifts toward those who don’t “ruin the mood” and who already have some connection to the work itself — most often people who share the same nationality or country as the character. After all, no one is eager to criticize their own positive representation in global media.

The end result is that a fictional character begins to influence real human relationships — in other words, politics: who receives support during a war, and who does not. Of course, neither the character nor the author can really be held responsible, because after all, it is just fiction. And the connection between an author and a specific country is also nearly impossible to prove unless there is explicit and direct evidence.

Because of this, I believe that Russia’s soft power strategy going forward will be less about making foreigners love Russia more — and more about making ukrainians feel unpleasant, inconvenient, and exhausting to them.

After all, who wants to help a party killer?

Heated rivalry I'm looking stright at you and all foreigner LGBT+ organizations shamelessly spreading the popularity of this product while being silent about Ukraine, Ukrainian LGBT+ ppl's struggle, Ukrainian LGBT+ people being killed and tortured by russians and Ukrainian LGBT+ soldiers forced for the war russia started against us.

GUESS WHO'S NOT SURPRISED AT ALL

Guess who's again threating the democracy of the entire world 🥺🥺🥺 who's a shithead oppressor 🥺🥺🥺 it's russian federation who could know they would do something like that.

Link to the article

We don't talk enough about Iran. Ppl are fighting with bare hands against tyranny and the world isn't loud enough about it. russians whine a lot about how their regime opresses them. Well, guess what. Iranian regime was set and wide supported by russia and it oppressed Iranians even harder, yet somehow they're still fighting while russians are just looking for excuses. Fighting corrupted regime was never easy. It wasn't easy for Ukraine in 2014. On Maidan thouthands of Ukrainians choose to fight against corrupted puppet government set by russia. And that's when russia started the war against us. Because we didn't give up Ukraine. I know it's not easy for Iran. I know it's a hell there. But with all my heart I support the protestors and I do hope they will succeed. 🙏

And I'm still looking at some guys who are reposting russian art and yeah guys, go ahead. russians are so cool, definitely want to be friends and whatnot 😍😍😍 fucking ridiculous.

I hate the fact that my region now is in complete darkness. Mobile internet is barely working and the only thing that keeps my internet alive will be without any load soon. But yeah dear LJ and mumzy, go ahead, reblog that russian artists that are drawing cool game hylics while not having ANY fucking issues with the fact that their own country is committing genocide. It's just stupid oste who is biased because the only thing I want right now is stable electricity output for at least three fucking hours just so I can charge up my phone, battery station and switch. Not even draw something because it's not the top priority. Just this simple things.

And if you're going to argue — yeah, go ahead, why not. Maybe I'm just a wrong victim because I'm not lying dead yet. Maybe I'm not grateful enough for LiBeRaToRs because I was speaking russian for massive chunk of my life. Maybe I'm just another angry Ukrainian nazi pig and I'm deserving to die because I just exist and want to exist in my own country with its own borders and everyone could just live their lives separately and make their own countries a nice cool places. Maybe maybe maybe.

Anyway it's 53% on my phone. Doing everything I can to decrease battery waste. And continuing to create more angrily because I still have my fucking markers and sketchbook and also notebook where I wrote new huge chunk of new chapter for dame Soms AU.

Had no electricity for 2 days just to open Tumblr and see some reblog of a russian artist, who oh wait... is asking for money, so they can pay bills and these bills will be used to make bombs and missiles to kill me. Charming.

Reading about Iranian government shutting down internet to silence protesters while Iranian-designed shahed drones are, as usual, in our airspace. Hope that evil regime crumbles

Hope it will also face the punishment for its crimes.

Posing these two together because they are of the same height and I don't need to tweak already existing poses much :D Some Ukrainian music for the mood: 🎶🎵Смарагдове небо🎵🎶

Going there... More Ukrainian music? 🎶🎵Побєда-транс🎵🎶

Information for anyone who wants to make a donation in support of Ukraine:

These are the main platforms that most Ukrainians (myself included) regularly use to donate to support our armed forces. Ukraine needs military aid, because only through victory we can achieve peace. Russia's only goal is to destroy us. If Russia is not defeated, there will be no future for Ukraine.

These funds buy vehicles for the evacuation of the wounded, thermal imagers, body armor and everything else our defenders need to survive.

Why you should NOT donate to the Red Cross

Any help, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated. Thank you ❤️

Can't say I'm surprised by America invading other country and kidnapping it's leader before announcing war but it's kinda funny how they only attack countries that are poorer/have less influence. No wonder they are considered # 1 army, they never attacked somebody who can answer.

And to clarify -- I'm no fan of said leader either, I'm just tired of "world superpower" doing whatever with no consequences. Also, oil again. Fucking oil. I hate that shit.

Nigeria and Venezuela are only the beginning. Let's say, they are some kind of 'world reaction test'. Like it was Crimea for russia. The world wasn’t much concerned about russia annexing Crimea. It will do the same with Venezuela and Nigeria. And guess what will happen next?

And let me add this, yeah Maduro is a dictator, yeah he is putin's man in all means. So it might sound controversial that trump to follow putin's steps does not appreciate putin's pawns. But it is not. Dictators are no friends to each other. The only thing they have in common is a hanger for power. The US didn't attack Venezuela to bring peace, democracy and LGBT+ rights. Remember that. The US government doesn't give a flying pig about people. Just as it was said before - oil, oil and once again oil. Also, no country should invade another and then claim they gonna 'control' it until they find a suitable puppet government. It is called invasion. It is called an occupation.