The influence of the Ukrainian crisis on the ethnic stereotypes of Russians

Ethnic stereotypes are the most important component of mass consciousness, their role becomes more active in the conditions of the direct or mediated interethnic communications. The influence of the Ukrainian crisis on ethnic stereotypes of Russians is shown in several aspects. Representations of specifics of the Russian national character has become more expressed. The reflection regarding the quality of the Russian national character has acquired a distinct positive connotation. At the same time ideas of other people involved in the Ukrainian conflict have become less biased. At enough prevalence The ideas of ethnocultural unity, "brotherhood" of Russians and Ukrainians are widely spread among Russians, but in spite of this the Ukrainians’ national character has been attributed mainly negatively. On the one hand, heterostereotypes of such negative sort became a reaction of mass consciousness to the anti-Russian and anti-Russian rhetoric and actions of part of the Ukrainian elite and leaders of opinions, often amplifying by the Russian mass media. On the other hand - it is a sort of socio-psychological mechanism of legitimizing intervention in the Ukrainian conflict and hostile policy towards the "brotherly" people.