On 7 October, Mykolo Romerio universitetas will host Prof. Наталія Стеблина, Ukrainian media analyst, expert at the Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy, and Professor at the Faculty of Journalism and Social Communication, Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Prof. Steblyna together with Ірина Авраменко has been systematically analysing how Russian so-called “liberal” and opposition media, as well as opinion leaders, communicate Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The findings were published in the English-language book “Deconstructors of Truth: How the Russian Opposition Media Covers Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine”.

The research examines the coverage of the war by outlets including Meduza, Dozhd, Mediazona and Novaya Gazeta Europe, asking an uncomfortable but crucial question: to what extent can media positioned as an alternative to the Kremlin still reproduce imperial narratives, echo Kremlin frames, or indirectly normalise Russia’s aggression?

This is especially relevant for students, academics and professionals interested in media and communication, political science, public governance, disinformation, international relations and contemporary Russia’s information environment.

Mykolas Romeris University, Room I-404

7 October 2026

9:00–10:30

The presentation and discussion will be held in English.

Prof. Steblyna is visiting Vilnius to participate in #disinfo2026, and we are very pleased to have this opportunity to welcome her to the MRU community.

The book is available online:

https://idpo.org.ua/…/upl…/2024/deconstructors_final.pdf

Join us for a discussion about media, propaganda, imperial narratives — and why being “oppositional” does not automatically mean being free from them.