From Ukrainian Teen to Russian Propaganda Star

This podcast episode tells the tragic story of Denis Kostchev, a Ukrainian teenager who became a face of Russian propaganda. After being abducted by Russian soldiers, Kostchev was subjected to a systematic indoctrination program, where he was forced to renounce his Ukrainian identity and praise the Russian army. Through fabricated propaganda videos, Kostchev became a pawn in Russia's campaign to justify its invasion of Ukraine and exploit Ukrainian children. Despite Kostchev's eventual escape to Poland, his experience and transformation serve as a chilling reminder of the devastating impact of war on innocent lives, highlighting the psychological toll and manipulation employed by authoritarian regimes to control narratives and shape perceptions.