Ukrainian Writer Says Turks Are Rethinking Russia’s Military Strength | Ukraine news

A familiar image of Russian power is beginning to crack, but long-standing narratives still shape how many people interpret the war.

In Turkey, perceptions of Russia’s military capabilities are gradually changing. More and more people are questioning the myth of the “extraordinary strength of the Russian army,” said Ukrainian writer Olena Lytvynenko, author of the book “The Taste of Viburnum in Turkish Tea.”

As reported by the online media outlet Ukrinform.

Many people have already realized that the perception of the “extraordinary strength of the Russian army” does not correspond to reality. At the same time, some Turks still believe that Russia has not yet fully deployed its military potential.

– Olena Lytvynenko

According to the writer, Turkish citizens’ attitudes toward Ukraine are often shaped by their personal experiences. Those who have visited Ukraine or maintain contact with Ukrainians generally view the country more positively. Others mainly rely on information from books and the news.

In general, people in Turkey began talking more about Ukraine after 2022. I think many Turks, even those who had visited Ukraine, did not realize how long and determinedly Ukrainians would be able to resist the enemy.

– Olena Lytvynenko

How Propaganda Shapes Perceptions of Russia

At the same time, part of Turkish society still holds views shaped by decades of Soviet and, later, Russian propaganda. This includes the entrenched image of Russia as a powerful and influential state.

Olena Lytvynenko came to Turkey to study in 2013. She later worked as a diplomat at the Embassy of Ukraine in Ankara. Her first book, “The Taste of Viburnum in Turkish Tea,” dedicated to the Ukrainian-Turkish context, was published recently.