A Sociopolitical Overview of Russia’s Activity on X (Twitter) Through Hashtags, Trending Tweets, and Topics

Social media and the associated forms of communication in the modern world have reached a new level these past few years. Social networking services such as X (Twitter), have drastically improved the way different people come into contact, exchange ideas, and even express themselves. Most notably in Russia, X has developed into one of the top social media networking services widely used across the nation. The trends, hashtags and topics that are constantly being talked about on the platform portray the country’s political, social, and cultural situation. Understanding the society’s online conversations, socio-political developments, and decline in Russian social media prestige enables one to analyze the topics that arise on X.

This other part of the article aims to discuss the most important topics, tweets and hashtags that have recently trended in Russia considering the political activities, social actions, cultural events, and various other interactions. Moreover, special attention will be given to the social media conversations in Russia triggered by government actions and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lastly, the article highlights potential forecasts that can be drawn regarding evolution of social media in Russia after analyzing emerging trends in the country   

The Development of X (Twitter) in Russia

Before examining the recent developments, it is critical to grasp the overall timeline of X’s activities and usage in Russia. The service Twitter initiated back in 2006 has attracted global attention due to its ability to deliver news instantly, and its communication features. However, in Russia, X’s journey has been difficult owing to state-inflicted hurdles, censorship, and general over-regulation of digital spaces.

Over the past few years, Russian authorities have ramped up the X within Russian borders. This includes the block or more restricted access to some accounts and content which the government considers to be politically motivated or goes against national interests. The Russian government has employed a mix of strategies consisting of legal provisions such as the “sovereign internet” law and employing various technical means such as throttling internet to command foreign social media platforms.

Regardless of these challenges, X still retains enough importance in the country’s digital ecosystem, especially for activists, politicians, journalists and other public figures. The platform provides a limited open environment for contentious political discussions as users post commentaries on various political issues, talk about movements and even execute self-started movements.

Основные темы и хастеги, которые в настоящее время в тренде в России

Чтобы оценить, какие из тем в настоящее время определяют повестку на X в России, необходимо взглянуть на вчерашние, так сказать, «горячие» хастеги и твиты. Эти темы служат иллюстрацией к специфическим и зачастую словам насыщенным духом политического времени в стране. 

1.#СВО (Специальная военная операция)

В последние годы в России одной из самых обсуждаемых тем является хастег #СВО – сокращение от Специальная Военная Операция. Этот хастег приобрел популярность как среди сторонников российской пропаганды, так и среди оппозиционно настроенных группировок, и охватил вопросы обсуждения Украины и России с глобальными изменениями после начала войны в геополитике. 

Проправительственные пользователи обычно пренебрегают хастегом и искал их пропаганду обосновывающую войну, используя патриотизм, успехи военных действий и гуманитарный озабоченный щит защиту русскоязычного населения Украины. Под через этот хастег, которые пытаются остаться без лидеров СМИ также регулярно ведущими зоосафари программисты тоже подхватывают хастег про Their Сверхдержава про пузу на положение российской армии.

For citizens against the government and freed journalists, the hashtag serves as a tool to critique the war, question its validity, and cover its humanitarian consequences. Accompanying the hashtag are countless videos that depict civilians in pain, reports about Russian soldiers being hurt, and news regarding the invasion getting international scrutiny.

This has led to heated discourses with users passionately discussing the ethics and legality of the war. Whereas the majority of Russians seem to have their government's back, hostility towards the violence, as well as sanctions on Russia by Western countries, is gaining traction on social media platforms.  

2. #Навальный (Navalny)

One other trending subject under X in Russia is about Alexei Navalny, the renowned Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner. Navalny has been outspoken against Putin and the Kremlin, which has led him to face multiple incarceration terms in his lifetime. His supporters passionately discuss his imprisonment under the hashtag #Навальный, calling for his freedom and celebrating his battle against corruption in Russia.

Contrary to the efforts made by the Kremlin to stifle Navalny's movement, he continues to be a prominent figure in the Russian opposition. Protests have been organized, and social media campaigns have been conducted by his supporters, escalating awareness about his legal issues and the political repression in Russia under the hashtag #Навальный. Moreover, the supporters of Navalny frequently use the hashtag to call upon the international community to put pressure on Russia to observe human rights and stop the political persecution.  

The hashtag plays a dual purpose of being a unifying factor for people calling for democratic changes in Russia while simultaneously participating in the fight against authoritarianism.  

3. #ДеньПобеды (Victory Day)  

Celebrated every May 9, Victory Day is among the most important public holidays in Russia, marking the date in 1945 when the Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany during World War II. The hashtag #День Победы is commonly used to mark this occasion for the celebration of Russia’s war history, veterans, as well as the death toll during the war.

Although initially intended to promote an event, the hashtag has taken a different connotation and is now associated with sharing personal stories, historical reminiscences, and paying homage to the fighters of the war. To many Russians, Victory Day serves as an embodiment of collective pride and nationalistic fervor which fortifies the enduring myth about the country’s historical achievements and its narrative of enduring hardships, fortitude, and dominion.

Personally, myself and many others find the recent alterations of the hashtag context to be bespoken of conflict. Certain individuals have taken it upon themselves to draw connections between the annihilation of Nazi Germany and Russia’s military activities in Ukraine, portraying the battle as a clash with Western dominion. These changes have shifted the essence of the day from pure celebration to an added facet of complexity.

4. #АнтивоенныйМитинг (Anti-War Rally)

The hashtag #АнтивоенныйМитинг (Anti War Rally) encapsulates dissenting views of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, marking a striking divergence from the government’s narrative and sentiments towards the war. The rallying under this hashtag has been motivated by a desire to coordinate protests, disseminate information about the organized activities, and heighten awareness of the antiwar agenda within Russia.

In spite of the risks of government arrest, anti-war protests continue to take place in different cities across Russia. Many participants use X to plan and communicate with each other in real-time. The hashtag tends to trend due to some large scale events like protests, or politically significant events concerning the war.

In the Russian context of censorship, the use of the aforementioned hashtag claims relevance. With independent media as well as opposing voices becoming suppressed increasingly, one of the last remaining outlets for social dissent is through social networks. Specifically, the #АнтивоенныйМитинг hashtag helps expose the social issue by allowing citizens to express their frustrations regarding the war rather than dictatorial media.

 5. #Санкции (Sanctions)  

#Санкции (Sanctions) have trended heavily across X with the west sanctioning Russia due to their activities in Ukraine. The hashtag is used primarily to talk about how the sanctions impact Russia economically, the businesses within Russia, and average citizens of Russia. It is a divisive issue as there are people who argue that sanctions hinder Russia’s financial stability, while others suggest sanctions are essential in order to force a change in government policy.

Conversations on the #Санкции hashtag mostly delve into the problems businesses are currently facing, the ruble’s devaluation, and the lowered imports of goods and services. Some view the sanctions as a mindless attack on Russia, while for others, it is a form of responsibility for the country’s behavior in Ukraine. 

Mitigation plans aimed at lessening the effects of sanctions, such as developing new trade, diversifying the economy, and bolstering relations with non-Western nations, are also discussed under the hashtag. As the situation continues to evolve, the #Санкции hashtag is bound to be a staple in these discussions on X.  

The Government's Influence and the Censorship Circus using X in Russia

As for other platforms, X is a battlefield for competing narratives in Russia. The Russian government tries to silence alternative viewpoints by blocking or restricting access to certain pieces of content online. X, on the other hand, is an essential outlet for people and institutions who want to talk freely without state restrictions.

The Russian government has tried to censor social media and contain its use, but users have continuously resisted. This game of cat and mouse between the authorities and social media users is a prominent aspect of modern-day Russia.  

Conclusion

Even with all the restraining factors, X (formerly Twitter) serves as a robust platform where vital dialogues concerning Russia are conducted and ideas are exchanged. X reflects social, political, and cultural factors in Russia, from Ukraine’s never-ending conflict to political freedoms. Popular trending hashtags such as #СВО, #Навальный, #ДеньПобеды, #АнтивоенныйМитинг, and #Санкции showcase the dominant issues and social hopes of the population.  

Censorship and government control remain major obstacles, but social media provides an essential space for both supporters and critics of the government to participate in the national conversation. As the political structure of Russia progresses, the topics and hashtags dominating online discussions will also change. These movements are vital for comprehending the multifaceted realities of Russia within the context of modern society.