War and Technologies

Abstract

This case study explores the vital role of translation technologies and volunteer-based digital activism during the Russia–Ukraine war, emphasizing how multilingual communities, platforms, and tools became lifelines for displaced Ukrainians. As millions fled war zones and crossed borders, real-time translation of medical documents, public service information, and legal materials became essential for survival. Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelenskyy, harnessed social media platforms for global outreach, while volunteer groups like Translators for Ukraine emerged to meet the urgent need for multilingual communication. The study highlights both the potential and limitations of automated translation platforms like Google Translate and Facebook, arguing that human-centered, contextual translation remains critical in crisis response. Drawing on concepts such as linguistic justice and participatory localization, the case makes a broader argument for rethinking how translation is embedded in humanitarian infrastructures. It also foregrounds digital solidarity—crowdsourced translation, social media advocacy, and community-built platforms—as a model for transnational crisis communication in a multilingual world shaped by conflict and displacement.