INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF GENOCIDE AND MASS CRIMES : REASERCH PROSPECTS FOR CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the research prospects of cultural studies in understanding the causes, mechanisms, consequences and prevention of genocidal practices, in particular those caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war, in the context of interdisciplinary studies of genocides and mass crimes.
Research methodology. General scientific research methods were used, covering historical, socio-humanitarian, legal and cultural dimensions of the analysis of genocides and mass atrocities.
Results. Turning to interdisciplinary studies of genocide and mass crimes allows us to define their subject area, which raises questions about the causes, social and cultural conditions, mechanisms, specific characteristics of genocide, and ways to prevent it. Understanding the tragedy of the Holodomor and the events of the Russian-Ukrainian war poses a number of research challenges for Cultural studies: the formation of a Ukrainian narrative; research into the cultural aspects of genocidal practices used against the Ukrainian people; clarifying the specifics of citizens' attitudes towards state violence; analysing the consequences of political terror as a practice of punishment; identifying the characteristics of the victimisation of genocide victims and perpetrators; researching cultural trauma, the culture of memory and the culture of forgetting as reactions to mass crimes.
Novelty. New research challenges for Cultural studies were identified in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian war: identifying criteria for cultural practices that need protection; researching the conceptual foundations for understanding the phenomena of ‘cultural genocide’, ‘cultural crimes’, ‘cultural persecution’, ‘cultural damage’, etc.
The practical significance. Research into these issues will make it possible to raise the question of responsibility for genocidal practices in the legal sphere, overcome the consequences of mass crimes, and outline ways to prevent future genocides.