The definition of the war in Ukraine, the context and focus of reporting in the largest print media in the RS and FBiH as well as in the news programs of their public services have been quite diverse, Censolovka writes. A media analysis, conducted in the period February 24 - 28, shows that the media of both countries have presented the latest developments in Ukraine quite differently.

The media in Republika Srpska (RS) are most often using euphemisms when it comes to determining the concept of the war in Ukraine by following the determinants set out by Russian officials, while Bosnian media are mostly using terms like 'aggression' and 'invasion' when describing the nature of the conflict in Ukraine, mostly following the determinants present in Western public opinion.

And even though they are reporting on the same events (depending on where they come from) both media have highlighted different aspects of the war in Ukraine. Serbian media, more specifically RTRS and Glas Srpske, more often show the Russian side in a positive light, while Bosnian ones are doing the opposite. The latter are focusing more on the civilian casualties than their Serbian colleagues with the exception of the daily newspaper Nezavisne Novine. On the other hand, the media from the RS (mostly RTRS and Glas Srpske) have often relativized the importance and role of the Russian side. Nezavisne Novine presented the conflict in a more balanced way than the other two RS media that became the focus of the analysis, except at the narrative level when determining the exact timing of the conflict, mostly following the narrative matrix of using euphemisms.

The media in the Federation use mostly negative terms to describe the Russian side. Generally speaking, both Serbian and Bosnian media to a significant extent have reported on the conflict in Ukraine following the dominant narrative and ideological matrixes in these two discursively divided areas, thus contributing to maintaining the state of latent antagonism in BiH. The public space, both in BiH and in the entire territory of former Yugoslavia, significantly follows the Cold War matrix of bloc division, in the discursive and ideological areas. Although the generalization isn't entirely appropriate here considering the fact that it aspires towards exclusivity, the discursive space in BiH is reduced to the two most dominant media - the one in the RS and the other in the Federation of BiH.

The discursive space in RS is most often oriented 'against' the civic option in BiH and the Western value system, while it focuses on 'pro' traditional values, which are significantly characterized by conservatism. It is also closer to the 'eastern bloc', which includes Russia and China. Meanwhile, the discursive space in FBiH is more focused on the 'pro' civic options in BiH, with the exception of Croatia and the Western value system as well as the eastern bloc led by Russian and China with their values and political systems. The discursive division in the media in the RS and the Bosnian Federation is especially present in times of crisis, not just when it comes to the events taking place in BiH but also around the world.
In the analysis of the media coverage on the war in Ukraine in the largest print media in RS and FBiH as well as in the news programs of their public services, were taken into account only determinants that were not quoted elsewhere, i.e. determinants cited by journalists, who were authors of the media content. Therefore, these determinants represent the position of the journalist / editorial and not the opinion of third persons. Eventually, statements were taken into account that paraphrased different determinants than the original statements.

Since the beginning, Serbian media presented the war in Ukraine, which began in the early morning of February 24 with the Russian attack upon Ukraine, from the Russian side without, of course, ignoring the headlines of the Ukrainian side, in which only Nezavisne Novine led the way (Ukrainians received instructions on how to attack Russians) while Bosnian media focused more on the Ukrainian and Western reports. In this regard, the media in RS more often emphasized the invasion of the Russian army, not in a negative but in a positive context, while Bosnian media focused mainly on the negative aspects of the Russian attack. They also labeled the Russian side with terms like 'delusional aggressor' and so on.

RS media most often described the conflict in Ukraine with euphemisms such as: special military operation, military operation, special operation, Russian military operation / action or military action of the Russian army. The media in FBiH defined the conflict with the following terms: invasion of Ukraine, Russian invasion, Russian offensive / aggression, etc.
One special aspect is the contradictory information about the current situation on the site - the number of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers killed, the number of destroyed military equipment and facilities and general information about the current outcome of the war.

Although the media in RS and FBiH have provided information from both sides, Serbian media focused more on the information from the Russian side regarding the number of casualties and the destroyed military equipment. Bosnian media provided more information from Ukrainian and Western sources. Oftentimes the information distributed by Serbian media was not shown by the media in FBiH and vice versa. Otherwise, this matrix is almost entirely suited to the reporting of RTRS and Glas Srpske, when it comes to Serbian media. Nezavisne Novine deviates from it to a certain extent, often citing sources from both Ukraine and the West and not just from Russia although they also have a noticeable fondness for the narrative that's predominantly present in RTRS and Glas Srpske, especially when it comes to the determinant of conflict.

In addition to the euphemisms used to determine the nature of the conflict in Ukraine, more often citing terms used by the Russian side, RS media often relativized the role of the Russian side in the conflict (RTRS: Donetsk citizens support action of Russian army; Russia is protecting Its national interests). They also cited statements by officials and countries that support Russia or at least relativize its role in the war (Glas Srpske: Chinese Embassy in Russia - America is a threat to world peace; Ukrainians are putting their fate into the hands of comedians).

Meanwhile, Bosnian media have constantly pointed out the consequences of the Russian attack on Ukraine. RS media paid more attention to the military actions of the Russian army in a positive context, while the media in the FBiH focused more on the suffering of Ukrainians, civilians in particular. Serbian media didn't ignore the reported civilian casualties but they are more represented in Bosnian media. RS media has devoted more attention to the suffering of civilians in the Donbas region, while the media in FBiH focused more on the information on civilians casualties in the rest of Ukraine.

As far as the relations between Russia and the West are concerned, more specifically in terms of the sanctions, RS media have followed a narrative that's closer to the Russian side slamming the sanctions, most often stressing that they are 'unprovoked', while on the other hand the media in FBiH have reported favorably on the Western sanctions imposed against Russia for attacking Ukraine.

RS media have also frequently highlighted the views of Serbian politicians, who have advocated for a neutral or relativizing attitude regarding the condemnation and imposition of sanctions on Russia or the war in Ukraine in general. Bosnian media more often expressed the views of Western and BiH officials, who condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine. Naturally, both provided enough information, except that in the case of Serbian media the emphasis was put on the information in favor of the Russian side, while Bosnian media focused more on the information, which is more favorable to the Ukrainian side.

As far as print media goes, on the front pages of Serbian media could be seen headlines that either relativized Russia's role and significance, or cited euphemisms, while in the case of Bosnian media, there were headlines showing Russia's responsibility for the war and its horrors. The selection of photos and illustrations perfectly matches the mentioned matrix. Thus, RS media has put photos on the covers that were not too dramatic although they are certainly unsettling, while the media in FBiH used more disturbing images.

As for the public services, more specifically their central newscasts, different approaches were used to presenting the news. RTRS used more video materials that contained either neutral depictions such as flags or depictions of politicians or conflicts, in which no overly dramatic scenes were shown. In cases where such scenes were present like for instance women and children on the run, i.e. at border crossings, it was already stated that the Ukrainian side was 'procuring weapons, while refugees are fleeing the country'.

FTV on the other hand, used more dramatic videos showing destroyed buildings as well as refugees and civilians. BHRT's principle of reporting is closer to that of FTV with somewhat more neutral views. A special aspect of biased approach (albeit implicit and not directly) in the news program could be noticed on RTRS, which decided to air the documentary Interview with Putin filmed by US director Oliver Stone on the same day Russia launched the attack on Ukraine.