An issue pertaining to media information and privacy in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Abstract

The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War is generating an astonishing amount of information, much of which is being transmitted through social media, allowing events to be observed and followed almost in real time. The impression is that in the initial weeks and months in the 2022 phase of this war, media and social media was much less filtered than it is now. This paper documents a curious aspect of this war observed at that time, namely the open and public display of photos and identity documents of some Russian and Ukrainian combatants, deceased or captured, on select websites or social media platforms. Focusing primarily on April 2022 cases, this paper also reflects on the possible purpose or value of such public exposure, including privacy-related issues, and its role in a parallel information and psychological warfare.