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Laada Bilaniuk

(U of Washington, US)

Nation-building through Intimate Anonymity:
The Role of the Nikolaevsky Vanek Telegram Community during Russia’s War on Ukraine

The Nikolaevsky Vanek Telegram channel has emerged as a key source of wartime information in Ukraine. Despite its anonymity, the channel has amassed a massive following, offering real-time updates on Russian attacks and fostering a sense of national unity. Through its use of endearing language and casual phrasing, Vanek has created a supportive online community that has become an essential part of the day-today lives of Ukrainians.

 

Laada Bilaniuk is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Washington, Seattle.

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