“I have two children; I don’t want to die for Ukraine!” – A young father on the dangers of war and what is at stake in the April election.
“My little daughter is there, I have a one-and-a-half-year-old son and a seventeen-year-old son, and I don’t want to die in Ukraine. And it’s fine—if you sign this as well. I’m quite proud of this. It’s a photo from the Athletics World Championships. Were you there at the opening? I was there as well.
To be honest, I don’t even remember who I voted for four years ago, because that ‘troublemaker’ seemed sympathetic at the time, and I liked what he was doing. But now there’s no question. Now the stakes are a bit higher, much bigger.
Yes, now there’s no question. I have my little daughter, a one-and-a-half-year-old son, and a seventeen-year-old son, and I don’t want to die in Ukraine.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you as well.”
1️⃣ “Ordinary citizen” authentication (ordinary citizen testimonial)
Excerpt
“I have two children, I don’t want to die for Ukraine.”
Technique
The political message is not delivered by a politician, but by a “young father.”
From a communication perspective, this is a powerful device because it presents:
- an everyday person
- a family father
- personal fear
Goal
➡️ To present the political position as “common-sense thinking of ordinary people.”
Effect
The reader may feel that:
➡️ “If an average father thinks this way, then he must be right.”
2️⃣ Fear-based framing (fear framing)
Excerpt
“I don’t want to die for Ukraine.”
Technique
The political debate is reframed as an existential danger:
➡️ election = war
➡️ war = personal death
Goal
To trigger a strong emotional reaction.
Effect
Rational debate is pushed into the background, and the decision becomes fear-driven.
3️⃣ False dilemma (false dilemma)
The implicit claim of the narrative:
If you do not vote for this political side
➡️ you might die in Ukraine.
Technique
In reality there are many political options, but the communication reduces the situation to two choices.
Goal
To create a simple decision framework for the audience.
4️⃣ Emotional identification (emotional identification)
Excerpt
“My little daughter… my one-and-a-half-year-old son… my teenage son…”
Technique
Mentioning children:
- creates a strong emotional connection
- activates protective instincts
Goal
To frame the message as defending one’s family.
5️⃣ “Enlightened voter” narrative
Excerpt
“Four years ago I voted for them… but now there’s no question.”
Technique
A story arc is created:
- previously supported another side
- then “realized the truth”
Goal
To suggest that:
➡️ many people are switching sides.
6️⃣ Narrative drama (storytelling framing)
The structure of the scene:
- an ordinary person
- personal confession
- family emotion
- electoral stakes
This is classic campaign storytelling.
📊 Core logic of the communication
The message is built around a simple narrative chain:
election → war → family → fear
This is one of the most powerful forms of campaign communication because it combines:
- a personal story
- strong emotional impact
- a simple and easily understandable message.