I hate to say it but Bellingcat's emphasis on the Ukrainian right at best echoes Russia's manipulation of journalistic and academic discourse to give it that focus- which has resulted in a lack of empathy for Ukrainians, and the blanking out of their huge losses in 20th C.
Until academics and journalists writing in this area at least admit that Russia has helped shape their priorities they are, imho, valueless as commentators and indeed harmful. The critical parent attitude on their part towards Ukraine and its diaspora is nauseating.
It would be perfectly possible to frame studies of the Ukrainian right appropriately perhaps but- really- at a time when Russia is trying to enact a Fascist geopolitical project for global hegemony whereas Ukraine's marginal fascists have little political influence- it's insane
To attribute more attention to a far less significant threat- I should note too that the UK's right really merits far more attention now- arguable that its calling the shots in the UK in a way it never could in #Ukraine
Finally- a Bellingcat researcher who I will not name, thought that it was fine to belittle a post about the historic repression of Ukrainian here- in fact the hatred of Ukrainian id drives RU policy now and their "joke" was offensive and also misleading
Because Russia, even now, would eradicate Ukrainian identity and these issues affect Ukrainians to this day. So, both insensitive and frankly revealing a lack of understanding that calls much into question.
I have not even addressed the attempts of some at Bellingcat to discredit InformNapalm etc a key part of Ukraine's voluntary OSINT community as "Nationalists" (another trope beloved of the Kremlin). But enough. I know what I think of them. Credit where it's due and vice versa.
@threadreaderapp please unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
