This BA Thesis investigates how the Russian state depicts society, war, and governance in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, in the context of Russian annexation and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war...Show moreThis BA Thesis investigates how the Russian state depicts society, war, and governance in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, in the context of Russian annexation and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. Studying this is relevant in order to understand how Russia seeks to integrate Ukrainian regions, annexed in september 2022, into its broader political-cultural framework. It does so by analysing a selection of 143 Telegram messages posted in february to march 2024 by Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor in occupied Kherson, using a reflexive thematic analysis approach to qualitative data analysis. The findings are grouped in three overarching themes: governance, the war, and society. The Russian-appointed government is characterized as effective and responsive, serving the needs of the local population, as opposed to Ukrainian corruption and neglience. The war is depicted as a serie of decisive Russian triumphs over a weak and predatory Ukrainian military that intentionally targets civilians. Kherson society is depicted as having returned to a correct historical trajectory in Russia, with its people happily interacting with the various peoples and cultures of the Russian Federation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Russia's conduct in occupied Ukraine and how Russia seeks to integrate Kherson into the Russian Federation.Show less
