Hate Speech Against Refugees Finds Tolerant Spaces Online, Study Reveals

Public Attitudes Toward Refugees Examined

According to Главком: A study released on February 19, 2026, by the civil society organization CAT-UA found that online hate speech targeting refugees remains socially acceptable in certain spheres. Its 2025 monitoring results indicate that most prominent online disputes are deliberately political, with a significant surge in activity from pro-Russian sources. This trend highlights how digital platforms can become battlegrounds for influence, particularly in nations facing geopolitical pressure.

The research showed that pro-Russian resources were active in six out of eight contentious topics analyzed. The theme of so-called 'cardboard protests' was especially notable, where Russian-aligned communication accounted for 37% of the discourse. This points to a shift in the nature of online conflicts, which has the potential to sway public opinion regarding refugees.

Expert Commentary

Commenting on the situation, Volodymyr Paniotto, Director General of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, noted that a referendum on a peace agreement would likely be held concurrently with presidential elections.

He emphasized that in such a scenario, public attitudes toward the peace deal would hinge on the level of trust in politicians.

The strategy of pro-Russian resources has evolved to incorporate tactics such as:

• mimicry
• 'cardboard protests'
• ignoring LGBT issues

This evolution suggests that manipulative campaigns in the information space continue to significantly impact societal attitudes toward vulnerable groups, including refugees.

These findings underscore the critical need for ongoing monitoring of the information landscape, as public positions and sentiments can be altered by disinformation. The growing activity of pro-Russian resources on refugee-related topics may signal preparations for new influence campaigns that could affect social stability and political processes in Ukraine. Consequently, it is vital for civil society organizations and political leaders to address these challenges and work toward fostering positive attitudes toward at-risk populations.