Compulsion to Identity as a Technology of Hybrid War (Situation of Donbass)

Abstract

The article discusses the problem of the identity of the population in the conflict zone in the Donbas. It is possible to speak about the existing civic identity if the person realizes his or her belonging to the state, whose citizen he or she is by status, all the attributes of statehood acquire valuable significance, and the “territory of life” shared with other fellow citizens is perceived as the Motherland. The authorities of the DPR and the LPR force citizens on their territory to abandon the identity of a citizen of Ukraine and to acquire the identity of their quasi-republics. For the success of the Ukrainian troops, it is important that the population of the territory where hostilities take place, identify themselves with Ukraine, consider themselves Ukrainians. This is the main task of identity politics. It is emphasized that in the conditions of a shortage of Ukrainian identity among the population in the area of hostilities, it is necessary to help stimulate the formation (strengthening) of such an identity. In identity politics identity management is important. In the conflict zone in the Donbas, civilian identities of the parties in hostile relations compete. It is argued that the desire to influence the identity of the residents of Donbass in order to form a certain identity among them is part of a hybrid war. If the residents in the combat zone have a shortage of Ukrainian identity, then it is necessary to promote the strengthening or formation of such an identity. Identity enforcement techniques can be propaganda, informational, economic, as well as violent, with the use of weapons. One of the methods of struggle for identity is the work of civil society structures, including volunteers. One of the means of implementation of identity politics is an appeal to historical memory. In the management of identity, discursive practices, events of a cultural, scientific, and sporting nature are important. Of great importance for determining identity is the line of demarcation, when the checkpoint divides the territory into “its” and “other”. The location of a person on the one or the other side of the roadblock improves the personality and relevant life practices. The conclusion is formulated that the success of the struggle for the identity of a Ukrainian citizen among the residents of Donbass will help resolve the armed conflict in the east of our country.