Geopolitical, genocidal and prognotic dimensions of the Russian-Ukrainian war in the expert publicity of Diane Francis (2022–2026)

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to analyze the geopolitical, genocidal and prognostic dimensions of the Russian-Ukrainian war in the expert journalism of D. Francis during 2022–2026, to clarify the features of her interpretation of Russian aggression. Scientific novelty lies in the holistic analysis of the expert journalism of Diana Francis 2022–2026 as a separate intellectual discourse of understanding the Russian-Ukrainian war, within which the author’s geopolitical, genocidal and prognostic approaches to the interpretation of Russian aggression are systematized for the first time. Conclusions. Thus, D. Francis's journalism of 2022–2026 presents an interesting and unique authorial geopolitical concept of the Russian-Ukrainian war, within which Russia's aggression is interpreted not as a local conflict, but as a component of the global confrontation between the democratic West and revisionist authoritarian regimes. The author consistently characterized Russia as a neo-imperial state that seeks to revise the international order, restore its sphere of influence, and destroy the European security system. In her interpretation, Ukraine appears as a key element of European security and a civilizational barrier against the expansion of authoritarianism. An important place in the works of D. Francis was occupied by the interpretation of Russian aggression as a war of genocidal type. She repeatedly emphasized the Russian leadership's denial of the right of Ukrainians to a separate existence, the use of dehumanizing rhetoric, mass violence against civilians, attacks on critical infrastructure, and the desire to destroy Ukrainian identity. The author paid particular attention to the ideological foundations of Russian aggression, drawing parallels between V. Putin's policies and the totalitarian practices of the 20th century. In the prognostic dimension, D. Francis consistently defended the thesis of Russia's strategic defeat. In her opinion, the war causes economic exhaustion of Russia, degradation of the energy system, intensification of intra-elite conflicts and interethnic contradictions.