This paper analyses the media coverage during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The chosen media outlets were from United Kingdom, the Guardian, from Sweden Aftonbladet and from Serbia Kurir. The paper argues that the articles published on Ukraine-Russia crisis depends on that states own interests and links, and governmental initiative to form public opinion. The analysis show that there is a strong link between states interests and initiative to form public opinion and the way media tend to report on a specific conflict. Aftonbladet and the Guardian reported predominantly negative articles towards Russia, while Kurir reported quite positively and tried to justify Russia’s actions. United Kingdom and Sweden whom have historically had opposing political and ideological views from Russia, strongly condemned Russia’s aggression, stating that Europe’s peace and security were under a serious threat. Both Sweden and United Kingdom’s foreign policy was reflected in the news coverage, where articles written assumed a position from the start. Serbia on the other hand justifies Russia’s actions by arguing that Russia’s actions were of the reactive manner and therefore did not qualify as aggression, but rather as attempt to ensure countries own security. Furthermore the paper shows how the media reporting progressed from 21st February to the day of the invasion, where in the early stages the hope was still high that a peaceful resolution might be achieved which is reflected in the amount of positive and negative loaded articles towards Russia. 

Key words: Russia, Ukraine, Media, Reporting, Justification, Congemination

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