Echo of the Contemporary Ukrainian Conflict in Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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The Echo of the Contemporary Ukrainian Conflict in Saint-Petersburg, Russia by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba In partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Joint Master’s Program in Peace and Conflict Studies University of Manitoba/University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, MB Copyright © 2017 by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia Bykhovskaia Thesis Abstract This study explores the perceptions and life experiences of the contemporary Ukrainian conflict, developed by Ukrainian and Russian citizens living in St. Petersburg. Based on basic human needs theory and relative deprivations framework, social identity perspective, and chaos and control paradigms, the research focuses on the participants’ understandings of the different phases and stages of the ongoing crisis - its causes, actors, dynamics, and repercussions - starting from November 2013 and up to June 2016, thus, sketching out a collaged image of the Ukrainian conflict. It also draws attention to participants’ visions of the future and possibilities for conflict transformation. This qualitative study explores perspectives of seventeen regular people, for whom the conflict matters for personal reasons; thus, this research cannot be viewed as a representative sample, nevertheless it uncovers a number of valuable narratives, represented in St. Petersburg community. This study contributes to the global field of research on the contemporary Ukrainian conflict and on Russian-Ukrainian relations. i Bykhovskaia Thesis Acknowledgements First of all, with all my heart, I would like to thank my participants for the time, energy, experiences, stories, and emotions they shared with me, thus broadening the field of the research. I also would like to thank Dr. Maureen Flaherty for her encouragement, understanding, and guidance throughout my entire education experience. Not the less, I would like to thank Dr. Anna Fournier and Dr. John Derksen for their added insights and helpful suggestions. I would like to express gratitude to the staff and my colleagues at the Mauro Centre. Last, but certainly not least, I would also like to thank my grandma, who was my biggest supporter from the first days of the research, my auntie for her words of wisdom, inspiration, and support, my family and friends, who were by my side all the way through this academic journey. I cannot express enough my gratitude and the greatest respect for all of you. ii Bykhovskaia Thesis Note on People and Place Names Spelling of people and place names often resonates, yet still differs in both Russian and Ukrainian languages. Since the fieldwork was conducted in the Russian language, I have used Russian names for all people mentioned in the thesis, as well as for towns, cities, locations and streets, including those in Ukraine and/or located in Ukrainian-speaking regions, except where an established English-language version exists. iii Bykhovskaia Thesis Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... ii Note on People and Place Names ............................................................................... iii Chapter I – Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 1.1 – Personal Connection ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 – Introduction to the Issue ................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 – Purpose Statement ............................................................................................................................................ 4 1.4 – Context ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.4.1 – Brief Overview of Ukraine’s History .................................................................................................... 5 1.4.2 – Chronology of the Contemporary Ukrainian Conflict ................................................................ 12 1.4.3 – Contemporary Russian and Ukrainian Media Fields ................................................................. 19 1.5 – Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Chapter II - Literature Review ................................................................................ 24 2.1 – Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.2 – Basic Human Needs ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Relative Deprivation Framework ....................................................................................................................... 27 2.3 – Identity Perspective ....................................................................................................................................... 30 2.3.1 - Social Identity Framework ..................................................................................................................... 31 2.3.2 – National Identities in Ukraine .............................................................................................................. 35 2.4 – The Role of the Media: Control Paradigm and Propaganda vs. Chaos Paradigm ................... 42 2.4.1 – Control Paradigm ..................................................................................................................................... 42 2.4.2 – Chaos Paradigm ........................................................................................................................................ 47 2.5 – Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 50 Chapter III - Methodology ....................................................................................... 52 3.1 – Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 52 3.2 – Qualitative Research Strategy ................................................................................................................... 52 3.3 – Case Study Research .................................................................................................................................... 55 3.4 – Semi-structured Interviews ......................................................................................................................... 56 3.5 – Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................................................. 57 3.6 – Data Access and Gathering ........................................................................................................................ 58 3.7 – Data Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 60 3.8 – Introduction of Participants ........................................................................................................................ 61 3.9 - Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................ 73 iv Bykhovskaia Thesis Chapter IV - The Image of the Contemporary Ukrainian Conflict in the Participants’ Words ................................................................................................. 74 4.1 – Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 74 St. Petersburg Experience ..................................................................................................................................... 75 4.2 – Euromaidan: Echo of the Revolution ...................................................................................................... 86 4.2.1 – Euromaidan: Revolution or a Planned Operation? .................................................................... 87 4.2.2 – The beginning of Euromaidan: Comparison to the Orange Revolution .............................. 95 4.2.3 – Turning Point of the Revolution .......................................................................................................... 98 4.2.4 – Attitudes towards Euromaidan ......................................................................................................... 101 4.3 – Crimea: A Second Case of the Expression of the Will of People in Ukraine ......................... 106 4.3.1 – Why did Crimea Vote for Independence? ..................................................................................... 108 4.3.2 – After the Referendum ...........................................................................................................................