The giant Adolf Hitler bowed down the docile Vladimir Putin and pats it lightly. It is one of the animated images published by the official Ukrainian government account on Twitter on February 24, when the invasion began.
“This is not a 'meme', but a reality of us and yours now.” I read the message.
About 2 million people appreciated the tweet, and thousands shared it, making it one of the most popular memes of the war so far.
However, the official message of the state is only a small fraction of the specific battles that take place on the network.
For two weeks after the invasion, the official Ukrainian account left the humor behind and allowed the Internet to take over.
Dozens of accounts quickly appeared on the network.
Cats aboard TikTok's cardboard tanks, all kinds of jokes about World War II, and even allusions about Star Wars...
- 'Crisis Joke' -
“I don't think memes will end the war,” explained Charlie Gere, a professor of sociology at Lancaster University (UK).
They are “hopeless jokes” that have minimal impact outside the cultural sphere.
However, one of these anime jokes stood as a symbol over the border.
The meme of “Saint Javelin” shows Madonna clinging to an anti-tank rocket launcher. It has become an emblem that can be found on T-shirts and other products sold by Canadian Christian Borys.
This manufacturer has already raised more than a million dollars and is sure that the profits will contribute to the efforts of the war in Ukraine.
For the writer and actor Christian Dumais, who has a well-known Twitter account “Drunk Hulk”, Ukraine is very effective when it comes to sending messages using animated messages.
“Memes play a role in contextualizing what we see in the world, inspiring them, or causing reflection and education.” He says.
- 'Expression of Anger. '-
Vincent Miller of the University of Kent (UK) considers memes as conversations that can spark political debates.
“Given the nature and origin of anonymity, memes allow people to avoid many frictions and represent a social divide that openly squeezes their political position on networks.” I explained to AFP.
The official Ukrainian account again ridiculed the Russian tank last weekend.
And other Twitter accounts show President Volodimir Zelensky as an idol as a Marvel-style superhero.
His enemy, Vladimir Putin, instead seems to be hiding behind a huge marble table or begging for help from China.
“Of course, this is not a revolutionary tactic.” However, in this context, memes are much better than adding the Ukrainian flag to the profile of the network.” He says.
By making a meme, “We can express our anger and dispel our feelings of despair,” he adds.
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