War and Its Imagery
The Visual Narrative of the Ukrainian State’s Instagram Account Ukraine.Ua as a Tool of Digital Public Diplomacy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6430368 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sofia Ventura (0000-0003-4499-2534, University of Bologna, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 379-403 |
| Publication date | 2024-09-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Strategic Communication (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1553-118X • E-ISSN: 1553-1198 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/1553118x.2024.2395407 |
| OpenAlex | W4402877867 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 43 |
This article presents an empirical analysis of the Instagram account Ukraine.ua, a key component in the Ukrainian government's communication efforts following the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. Operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in tandem with the NGO Brand Ukraine, this account has been instrumental in shaping Ukraine's digital communication strategy. The research delves into both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the textual and visual content posted on this Instagram page, reconstructing the visual storytelling employed to influence perceptions of Ukraine, highlighting its distinctive features and their coherence with Ukraine's strategic objectives. The results of the empirical analysis are interpreted through the lenses of Public and Digital Diplomacy, alongside the more specific concepts of Nation Branding, Selfie diplomacy and Reputational Security. The latter, Reputational Security, is pivotal to this analysis, emphasising the significance of a positive national image in managing crises effectively. The insights gleaned from this case study offer an important understanding of Public Diplomacy and its ramifications, especially underscoring the role of digital platforms in the realms of international relations and crisis management. The article concludes by reflecting on how this case study enriches our comprehension of Public Diplomacy and propounds new questions for future scholarly enquiry
Art · Diplomacy · Linguistics · Literature · Media studies · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Public Diplomacy · Sociology · State (computer science · Ukrainian · Computer Science · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication
The Digitalization of Public Diplomacy
The fourth age of political communication
The Visual Image and the Political Image
What We Instagram
The Oxford Handbook of Political Leadership
Public diplomacy and nation branding in the wake of the Russia–Ukraine War
A Research Agenda for Public Diplomacy
Handbook of International Relations
Politics Among Nations
The Image War Moves to TikTok Evidence from the May 2021 Round of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Information Revolution and Power
Introduction
Narrative Politics
The Politics of Crisis Management
Domestic Digital Diplomacy
Strategic narrative
The return of the hero-leader? Volodymyr Zelensky’s international image and the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Strategic Communication
Putting the Image Back Into the Frame
Visual narratives of global politics in the digital age
The Politics of Crisis Management. Public Leadership Under Pressure
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Selfies and Speeches of a President at War
Framing Pictures, Picturing Frames
Soft Power
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |