The phenomenon of ordinary people's heroism in the socio-communicative space of frontline Zaporizhzhia

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of ordinary people’s heroism in the socio-communicative space of frontline Zaporizhzhia in the context of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The study focuses on the transformation of resilience narratives and the changing conceptualization of heroism under prolonged armed aggression and cognitive warfare. Particular attention is paid to the shift from traditional, idealized representations of heroic figures toward the decentralization of heroism and the emergence of “heroes next door” – ordinary people whose everyday actions, personal testimonies, and digital communication contribute to collective resilience. The socio-communicative space of Zaporizhzhia is considered as an environment in which narratives of resistance, agency, and adaptation are continuously constructed and disseminated. The analysis demonstrates a transition from reactive forms of resistance to adaptive resilience, accompanied by a transformation from the discourse of victimhood to the discourse of agency and ownership of one’s land. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, play an important role in this process by providing opportunities for authentic self-expression and the circulation of personal stories. The study argues that the decentralization of heroism contributes to cognitive resistance by strengthening social cohesion, sustaining collective identity, and countering destructive narratives. The findings highlight the importance of studying everyday heroism as a significant component of contemporary Ukrainian resilience discourse.