The Coercive Control Checklist Applied to Ukraine

Mana of Ruschist ‘Opposition’ IS Coercive Control. We’re in an abusive relationship with the Stock Russian ‘Opposition’ character. First, Russian ‘Opposition’ mimics their own torturers, and wife-beaters everywhere… Ruschia perceives Ukraine as it perceives women.

Ruschist Disinfolklore pushes these trolls against Ukraine: You need help / You’re so emotional / I never did that / You’re the one who is lying / Why are you even here if you think I’m so terrible / Stop feeling sorry for yourself / That didn’t happen / That’s a false accusation / Don’t get upset over nothing / Why are you so defensive all the time / You’re always twisting things / You’re remembering things wrong / It’s not a big deal / It’s your fault / I was just joking / You sound so crazy / You’re imagining things / You’re so dramatic / Don’t be so sensitive / Calm down / I didn’t say that

Source: Twitter (@DecodingTrolls)

Editorial Gloss

The domestic abuse checklist — verbatim gaslighting phrases — applied to Russia’s treatment of Ukraine. “Ruschia perceives Ukraine as it perceives women.” Every phrase on this list will be recognised by anyone who has experienced coercive control. The fact that it maps perfectly onto geopolitical rhetoric is the diagnosis.

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