Arab context of the Ukraine conflict in Russia Today Arabic and Sputnik

The present article is concerned with the Russian narrative of the Ukraine war in Arabic versions of Sputnik and Russia Today Arabic (RT Arabic). The tragic war in Ukraine has affected different media sources in the world, including Russian and pro-Russian media. However, Sputnik and RT Arabic’s media reports combine the Ukraine conflict with Arabic context addressed to different audiences in the Arab world. This study also argues that the Russian narrative relies on propaganda devices such as ad hominem, card stacking and agenda setting, as well as testimonial and glittering generalities. These techniques affect the audience and enable to express Kremlin’s political objectives on the Ukraine war and foreign policy. Moreover, the research demonstrates that the media coverage released by RT Arabic and Sputnik aims at creation of two opposite images, which blame the West and endorse Russian policy.