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Open Access 28 May 2026

An indirect assessment of the similarity/dissimilarity of specific groups of Ukrainians to Russians: The expected and the unexpected

Vadym Vasiutynskyi
Iryna Hubeladze
Olena Sushyi
Larysa Korobka
Veniamin Vinkov
Valeriia Dibrova
https://doi.org/10.61727/sssppj/1.2026.17
Pages: 17-31
Received 07.11.2025
Revised 15.04.2026
Accepted 28.05.2026
Published 30.06.2026

Abstract

The relevance of this study lies in the need to understand the deep psychological and cultural processes of the Russification of Ukrainian identities, which is important for developing effective strategies of derussification in the context of contemporary social and political change. The aim of the study was to attempt an indirect transfer of cognitive-behavioural constructs of similarity/dissimilarity between Ukrainians and Russians onto the evaluation of social groups of Ukrainians that differ in the degree of Russification of their consciousness. The empirical measurement of differences between representatives of various social groups was based on a procedure of indirect socio-cognitive assessment that determines perceived similarity/difference between groups. Traits were identified by which Ukrainians and Russians are perceived by students as least different, and these were used to assess employees of educational administration bodies, school teachers, university lecturers and students; consumers of Russian-language, English-language and Ukrainian-language culture; supporters of mass, elite and folk culture; believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, atheists; residents of large cities, small towns and villages; and representatives of older generations, middle-aged groups and youth. As expected, the groups assessed as most similar to Russians were consumers of Russian-language culture, believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and representatives of the older generation. Unexpected results requiring further interpretation included relatively high levels of Russification among school teachers, supporters of folk culture, and rural residents. The significance of the findings lies in identifying implicit and deeply rooted consequences of the Russification of Ukrainian identities. The development of de-russification measures is a critically important task for socio-psychological practice and further psychological research

russification and de-russification of identities cognitive and behavioural biases indirect socio-cognitive assessments traits of similarity/dissimilarity to Russians empirically keyed scale social groups of Ukrainians

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Suggested citation

Vasiutynskyi, V., Hubeladze, I., Sushyi, O., Korobka, L., Vinkov, V., & Dibrova, V. (2026). An indirect assessment of the similarity/dissimilarity of specific groups of Ukrainians to Russians: The expected and the unexpected. Scientific Studios on Social and Political Psychology, 32(1), 17-31. https://doi.org/10.61727/sssppj/1.2026.17

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