How Propaganda Works
When Russia first invaded Ukraine unfairly, Americans showed their support by giving money and resources to help struggling Christians there. In just a few days, my community raised $30,000, and every penny went directly to churches and pastors in occupied Ukraine. This made a real difference. As Russian forces moved in, city and village governments collapsed. People were panicked, injured, and lost—like sheep without a shepherd. That’s when the Ukrainian evangelical church stepped up. Churches turned their foyers into kitchens to feed the hungry. Ministry spaces became shelters for people whose homes had been destroyed. Brave drivers took backroads to avoid Russian troops just to buy simple t things like onions, cabbage, and flour. And they could do this because people like us gave generously. Let me assure you—God sees your kindness, and He will reward it.
But now, three years later, the same people who once gave so willingly are hesitating. They are second-guessing their support. At first, most Americans saw Ukraine as the victim. But now, more and more believe a different story—that the U.S. helped remove Ukraine’s leader in 2014 and put in a pro-West, pro-NATO president instead. According to this version of events, Ukraine is the troublemaker, Russia is the victim, and the war is simply Russia defending itself. Some even say the war continues because of Zelensky, not Putin.
The same leader who once inspired the world by saying, “I don’t need a ride, I need ammunition,” is now being called a dictator. People on social media say, “He banned the Orthodox Church. He won’t hold elections. He’s a warmonger.” Christians who once supported Ukraine are now confused and don’t know what to believe. They’re afraid of being tricked into supporting the wrong side. From a political point of view, this makes sense—especially if you don’t know Ukraine’s history. Nobody wants to cheer for the wrong team. After all, Putin is against LGBTQ policies, supports traditional families, and promotes the church. Maybe he isn’t as bad as people once thought?
And that is exactly how propaganda works.
The truth hasn’t changed. Putin is still a dictator who destroys entire cities with his bombs—Grozny, Aleppo, Mariupol, and more. His forces still attack hospitals and grocery stores. Russian media still says that Ukrainian culture and government should be wiped out. Russian soldiers still target evangelical churches, kidnapping and killing pastors. They forcibly take Ukrainian children, raise them in Russian Orthodox schools, and don’t allow evangelism or Christian charity work. Yet, if I tried to raise $30,000 now to help the same suffering Christians, I doubt I could.
So, what changed? The voices that are shaping opinions. I could show you that the arguments now being pushed by American conservatives are the exact same talking points Russia has been spreading for over a decade. The people who believe they have discovered a “new perspective” on Ukraine are really just repeating Russian propaganda.
How did this happen? The answer is clear: Russian propaganda has gone mainstream in America. My evidence? Us, and what we now believe. From a secular perspective, this isn’t surprising. But for Christians, it’s heartbreaking. More and more believers are unknowingly supporting a dangerous lie, though they honestly may not know they are. They don’t realize that they’re siding with the very people who are persecuting Christians in Ukraine.
To be clear, my support for Ukraine is political. I believe any nation that wants freedom and democracy deserves U.S. support. It’s one of the best things America has ever given the world. But my support is also practical. Ukraine is lost in sin, just like any other country—including America. Still, democracy in Ukraine gives Christians the best chance to preach, evangelize, and build churches. That’s why I want Ukraine to win this war. It’s that simple. I want the Gospel to go forth in freedom from Ukraine, the ends of the earth (which for America is all the Stan-States, we can’t travel too but where Ukrainian evangelicals have a potent foot print.)
And that’s why my heart breaks for my conservative brothers and sisters in America. They aren’t thinking about Ukraine logically anymore. They’re reacting emotionally. The news they’re watching isn’t real news—it’s propaganda, pushed by leaders and conservative media, then spread and amplified on social media. They’re confused and that’s all the devil needs from the church—just a little confusion. Moral uncertainty is just as bad as silence. And silence, when we know that Christians in Ukraine are being persecuted, is not something God will bless.
There’s an old saying: Ignorance is no excuse. I’d add one thing—it’s even worse if your ignorance is caused by propaganda from a foreign enemy. Are you a victim of propaganda? Just ask yourself what was your attitude three years ago and then reflect; what is it today? Now ask the question what changed? If your only answer is the news you receive….
