Olena Kurbanova - attack 21.07.2025

On July 21, 2025, a report from Azerbaijan was published on the YouTube channel of journalist Olena Kurbanova, Kurbanova.LIVE. Her story drew reactions in Russian propaganda Telegram channels. For example, the channel “Mужики 03” with Russian tricolors next to the name posted the following entry, which was also reposted by the channel Voennoe Obozrenie:

“The borderland journo-sl**t Olena Kurbanova, who handed Aliyev the chevrons of those khokhlyak combat brigades, made a report from Stepanakert, now Khankendi in Nagorno-Karabakh. It’s surprising she didn’t speak in the Little-Russian dialect of Russian. Or in Azerbaijani, which should be her native tongue)). The Kyiv authorities simply merged in a Russophobic ecstasy with the Azerbaijani authorities. The two political dwarfs Zelensky and Aliyev are now, like two dogs, vigorously licking each other and showing ‘love’, sharing experiences. Kurbanova emphasizes that Nagorno-Karabakh was returned ‘by the force of the army’ of Azerbaijan, although it was simply handed over to Aliyev by the incompetent, head-ssed Pashinyan.”

This post shows signs of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including: sexism, misogyny, gendered disinformation, hate speech, and attempts to professionally discredit via sexualized attacks. Indicators include use of words like “borderland (окраинская)”, “journo-sl**t (журнашл#ха)”, “Little-Russian dialect (малоросский диалект)”. Such publications aim not to critique journalistic content, but to humiliate, intimidate and devalue a woman journalist because of her gender, nationality and professional activity.

Additionally, in the comments under Olena Kurbanova’s YouTube report there were remarks exhibiting hate speech, gendered disinformation and sexism — including so-called “benevolent” sexism disguised as compliments:

• “A village girl, but smart and beautiful — like.”
• “Super beauty ❤”
• “Alena, you are a delight!”
• “Wonderful report…”
• “Kurbanova is beautiful, looks gorgeous.”
• “Olena please answer: is it true that you meet your audience for two days with the same hairstyle and outfit? Thanks for the answer.”
• “What Ukrainian diplomacy could not do, the fragile Ukrainian journalist did.”
• “Well, I already knew Kurbanova had no brains, but I only learned today that she also has tits 🤣”