THE IMPACT OF RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION ON US PUBLIC OPINION ON UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of Russian disinformation on US public opinion regarding support for Ukraine in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The key aspects that determine the perception of the American society of the need for military and financial assistance to Ukraine are considered. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of public sentiment in the United States, which has undergone significant changes under the influence of disinformation campaigns aimed at weakening confidence in official messages and international commitments of the United States. The results of public opinion polls show that the number of Americans who believe that aid to Ukraine is excessive is growing. Based on the analysis of Gallup’s data, the study traces how Russian disinformation influences the formation of perceptions of the war, using narratives about the economic disadvantage of supporting Ukraine for American taxpayers and the allegedly provocative actions of the United States against Russia. These narratives are amplified in the media space, especially through social media and alternative media, which creates a favorable environment for the formation of polarized views. The key mechanisms for spreading disinformation are also discussed, including manipulative news, fake news, and distortion of real events. Particular emphasis is placed on the strategic use of emotional influence to create negative associations with Ukraine. It is noted that Russian disinformation is aimed at undermining the credibility of the US administration, its foreign policy and international security initiatives. The influence of public sentiment on US political decisions regarding Ukraine is analyzed. The author demonstrates how the spread of skepticism among Americans about the continuation of financial support for Kyiv affects the strategic approaches of the Joseph Biden administration. At the same time, the paper emphasizes the importance of countering disinformation campaigns to ensure sustained U.S. support for Ukraine. The findings of this study provide tools for a deeper understanding of the dynamics of disinformation’s influence on public opinion and decision-making in the United States, and highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in its struggle for international support.