In a world where social media is blurring the lines between fact and fiction, a video titled “Babushka Z” has garnered attention. It shows an elderly woman greeting Ukrainian soldiers with a Soviet flag. A soldier takes the flag from her and steps on it. This scene sparked an unprecedented reaction on the Internet.
Marja Lönnroth-Olin from the University of Helsinki analyzes the divided perception of this event. “Babushka Z,” as she is known on social media, is more than a person. It is a symbol that represents different narratives in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Symbolism and controversy
The woman in the video quickly became a controversial symbol. Some see her as the embodiment of Russian history and culture. Others see them as a symbol of a bygone era that needs to be overcome. Lönnroth-Olin emphasizes that the use of the figure of “Babushka Z” reflects the deep cultural and historical divides that shape this conflict.
Images of women in conflict
Lönnroth-Olin points out that women are often used symbolically in conflicts to convey certain messages. In the case of “Babushka Z” she is portrayed as someone in need of protection on the one hand, and as a traitor on the other. These attributions are not only a struggle for truth, but also for power and control over narratives.
Heroes and traitors
In the defense of Russia, women are often portrayed as victims and mother figures. On the other hand, from the Ukrainian perspective, she is viewed as a traitor and a relic of the past. This shows how in a conflict each side tries to present their point of view as the only true one.
How a Ukrainian woman 'Babushka Z' became a Russian propaganda icon – BBC News
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Conclusion: The power of narrative
This case clearly shows how in modern conflicts the battlefield consists not only of land and people, but also of images and stories. In a world where anyone with a smartphone can participate in the dissemination of information, truth itself becomes a contested field.
Source: research portal
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )