How russia militarizes Crimeans with the propaganda “Victory Train”
As part of a propaganda campaign for May 9, russians have launched the so-called “Victory Train” in occupied Crimea—a museum in the form of a 10-car train. Exhibitions have already taken place in Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yevpatoria, and Kerch.
The exhibitions use modern interactive technologies that strongly influence visitors’ emotions, making them feel like part of a “heroic history.” Visitors, especially children, develop an emotional connection with war, fostering militarization of consciousness and loyalty to russia’s war policies. Such events on occupied territories are also an attempt to impose a russian identity on the local population through the myth of the “great victory.”
The “Victory Train” is yet another large-scale russian propaganda project aimed at manipulating historical memory and shaping a worldview favorable to the kremlin. By drawing constant parallels between World War II and russia’s current aggression, the project is also used to justify the invasion of Ukraine.
