Subjectio, 10 years on
A visual investigation of Russian and Western influences in Southeast and Eastern Europe
by Pierre Crom ©
“Subjectio” is a research initiative that explores the complex strategies and tactics employed by both Western nations and Russia to maintain their dominance over countries within their respective spheres of influence. This study examines the nuanced power dynamics and geopolitical manoeuvres that these global powers use to assert control and shape the political landscapes of other nations. This investigation encompasses a wide array of domains and methods that these actors employ to exert influence over Southeast and Eastern European regions. The areas of impact span from historical narratives and diplomacy to military actions, political manoeuvring, propaganda dissemination, educational initiatives, architectural projects, disinformation campaigns, economic engagement, cultural influences, and even religious influences.
Subjectio was initiated by Pierre Crom in 2014. When Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimea that same year, in response to the ousting of the Russia-backed Ukrainian president Yanukovych during the Revolution of Dignity (also known as the Maidan uprising), Crom, originally a photojournalist, found himself on the front lines. He documented the early stages of Russia’s war in Ukraine from the Russian frontline until January 2016. After being banned by Russia from continuing his work in Ukraine’s occupied territories in January 2016, Crom expanded his focus to the broader European geopolitical landscape. He began exploring parallels between the situation in Ukraine (2014,2015,2016,2017,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024, 2025) and events in other regions, starting with Bosnia and Herzegovina (2015, 2016,2017,2019,2021,2022, 2025), followed by Moldova (2016,2017,2019,2020,2021,2023,2024), North Macedonia (2016,2017,2018,2022), Kosovo (2017,2019,2020,2022, 2025), Serbia (2017,2019,2020,2022), Montenegro (2017,2018,2020,2023), Transnistria (2017,2019), and Belarus (2017,2019). Crom selected countries and states that were neither members of the European Union nor NATO. However, Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, followed by North Macedonia in 2020. Crom would revisit these countries and regions multiple times during key political or historical events, continuing this work until October 2025, to build a comprehensive archive illustrating the various influences at play.
The primary focus of Subjectio centres on a selection of countries in Southeast and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia. In each of these states, Western countries and Russia engage in a multifaceted and complex game of influence, attempting to shape the political, social, cultural and economical landscape in ways that align with their respective interests.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the various forms of influence and the specific countries examined within Subjectio:
History:
Russia selectively interprets historical events and narratives to align with their respective agendas in these states. The Kremlin has reinterpreted and idealised European historical events to justify its unprovoked war in Ukraine and other contentious campaigns across Europe, in an effort to draw potential allies into its sphere of influence. The Kremlin’s distortion of historical facts has led Russian President Vladimir Putin to inaccurately assert that “modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia.” Despite Ukrainians overwhelmingly opting for independence in a December 1991 referendum, Putin has dismissed Ukraine as “historically Russian land,” thereby denying the country its sovereignty.
Diplomacy:
Diplomatic initiatives, such as negotiations, alliances, and international agreements, are pivotal in shaping the geopolitical landscape of these states. In stark contrast, Russia has employed a network of spies posing as diplomats, exploiting diplomatic missions for its own purposes. In July 2023, Moldova expelled 45 Russian diplomats and other embassy personnel due to their “unfriendly actions,” following a media revelation about newly installed surveillance equipment on the roof of the Russian embassy and a nearby building used by Russia.
Military:
This involves the deployment of troops, strategic positioning, and providing military aid in areas of conflict. Russia has concentrated a massive military force, including hundreds of thousands of troops and advanced weaponry, in Belarus, on its own soil, and in occupied Ukrainian territories to launch an unprovoked attack. In response, Western coalitions have provided Ukraine with extensive military support.
In September 2023, a contingent of 30 heavily armed Serbian mercenaries crossed the border into Kosovo, launching an assault on the village of Banjska. Meanwhile, NATO-led peace missions continue to oversee and manage tensions in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Democracy:
Political meddling can include supporting particular parties or leaders and actively attempting to influence domestic political processes. Following the ousting of Kremlin-backed Ukrainian President Yanukovych, who was democratically elected but backed by Moscow and influenced by Russian political pressure, Russia responded by implementing its version of the so-called “Kosovo scenario,” using claims of protecting ethnic Russians to justify intervention in Ukraine. In 1999, a NATO-led peace mission was dispatched to halt the mass killing of civilians in Kosovo, followed by an independence referendum.
In July 2024, Montenegro’s parliament approved a cabinet reshuffle, which included ministers from the pro-Russian “For the Future of Montenegro” coalition.
In April 2024, a new political alliance with a pro-Russian orientation, named Pobeda (Victory), was unveiled in Moscow. Spearheaded by Ilan Shor, a fugitive oligarch from Moldova, and his associates, this bloc is set to contest the forthcoming presidential elections in Moldova.
Propaganda:
Crafting and manipulating media narratives to influence public opinion, often through biassed or deceptive tactics, has become a calculated strategy to shape perception.
Russian propaganda channels exaggerated the crime rate in Montenegro through false reports intended to damage the country’s tourism industry. This included a fabricated story involving a vehicle with bullet holes, which was actually rented from a movie props company.
Across the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, countless monuments were erected to cultivate a cult of personality and convey an illusion of imperial grandeur.
Education:
Educational investments can be leveraged to promote values or ideologies that align with the interests of the influencing nation. A notable achievement has been the backing of numerous educational institutions and events in Southeast Europe by the EU and the US through various organisations. In August 2023, the European Union earmarked €2.1 million for the renovation of sports facilities at 17 schools and a sports faculty across 12 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Architecture:
Architectural projects can act as powerful symbols of influence, redefining the historical narratives of these states. In July 1963, a devastating earthquake struck Skopje, North Macedonia, claiming the lives of over 2,000 residents and leveling approximately 65 percent of its structures. The subsequent reconstruction efforts were spearheaded by the Yugoslav government, bolstered by assistance from foreign nations and international bodies. Notably, renowned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange was selected to redesign the shattered city center, earning recognition for his vision in the rebuilding process.
In North Macedonia, the Skopje 2014 architectural project, spearheaded by the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, was designed to give the capital city a distinctly Macedonian character. This initiative involved erecting numerous monuments and renovating building facades in a neoclassical style.
Disinformation:
The deliberate spread of false or deceptive information aims to create confusion or influence public opinion for manipulative purposes. In an increasingly interconnected world and amid the relentless spread of digital disinformation, Russia’s influence extends far beyond its borders or regions with Russian-speaking populations. Russia has used social media and propaganda channels to fabricate and disseminate the false claim of a nonexistent genocide against Russian-speaking individuals in Ukraine as a pretext for its invasion of Donbas in the spring and summer of 2014.
Economy:
Economic engagement may encompass trade deals, investments, and financial aid designed to cultivate dependence on the influencing nation. In November 2023, the European Commission introduced a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, featuring €6 billion in grants and loans to speed up economic integration with the EU.
In July 2024, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Handanovic and European Commission Vice-President Sefcovic signed a memorandum in Belgrade to advance a significant lithium mining project, sparking a fresh surge of protests over environmental concerns.
Culture:
Amidst the complex geopolitics of Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia, national cultural identity is increasingly vulnerable to external influence. Cultural initiatives, including language promotion, arts, and exchanges, often serve the geopolitical aims of dominant actors. A prime example is Russia’s ongoing assimilation of Belarusian culture through bilateral agreements, a process that steadily undermines Belarus’s distinct national cultural identity within Russia’s sphere of influence.
Multilateralism:
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the European Union has implemented extensive sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all contributed weapons to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
In June 2023, the European Union enforced punitive measures against Kosovo, citing Pristina’s failure to take sufficient action to reduce tensions in the northern region, where ethnic Serbs form the majority.
Montenegro became a member of NATO in 2017, with North Macedonia joining the alliance in 2020.
Religion:
Religious influences can be employed to solidify connections or alliances with particular religious groups or institutions. It is estimated that only about 15% of Orthodox Christians in Russia attend church services at least once a month. Russia leverages the Orthodox Church to foster a sense of shared identity and brotherhood in Southeast and Eastern European states. By promoting religious and cultural connections, Russia aims to strengthen its influence and forge closer ties with these regions. In 2019, Russia threw its support behind the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, opposing a law they believed threatened to confiscate church assets, including historic monasteries and churches. Kremlin-backed Sputnik Srbija, a Serbian-language news outlet, extensively covered the protests, framing them as a defence of Orthodoxy in Montenegro. In Serbia, roughly 85% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian, while in Montenegro, the figure stands at around 72%.
In Latin, “Subjectio” translates to “forgery” and “submission”. Hybrid influences often elude public visibility and resist clear depiction through traditional photography or videography. Crom’s work provides a lens through which these subtle influences can be captured. In particular contexts, conditions align to reveal the depth of these influences — whether it be the impact of Russian and Western military strategies in Ukraine or the influence of religion in Montenegro.
Subjectio, through its examination of these multifaceted influences, seeks to shed light on the nuanced ways in which Western countries and Russia manoeuvre in Southeast and Eastern Europe. By understanding these methods and their impact, Subjectio aims to provide valuable insights for the public to navigate the complexities of modern geopolitical conflicts and information warfare.
Subversive Western influences:
The constrained and selective military assistance provided to Ukraine has led to a protracted war, during which a significant number of civilians and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured while defending their country against Russian aggression.
The EU’s purchase of 15 surveillance drones for the Belarusian State Committee for Forensic Science has sparked concern, with critics warning the technology could be turned against pro-democracy activists.
In April 2023, Kosovo mayors were elected through transparent municipal elections in the Serb-majority areas of northern Kosovo, even as Kosovo Serbs chose to boycott the polls. The subsequent installation of these mayors triggered violent clashes between Kosovo Serb factions and NATO-led security forces. Despite Kosovo’s adherence to the rule of law, the European Union has unjustly imposed reversible measures on the country for its failure to de-escalate tensions.
The European Union and the United States extend their support to the Serbian authorities, despite Serbia being classified by Freedom House as a Hybrid Regime. In endorsing what can be described as a stabilitocracy, Western powers inadvertently erode the rule of law.
The recent signing of a memorandum between the European Union and Serbia concerning lithium mining has ignited widespread protests driven by environmental concerns.
With economic interests taking precedence over geopolitical security, the perceived appeasement of Serbian President Vučić by the West and the EU is sparking worries of a renewed Balkan conflict. This policy draws parallels to the alleged appeasement of Russian President Putin preceding his 2022 unprovoked large-scale offensive in Ukraine. Germany’s support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline increased Europe’s reliance on Russian energy and provided Putin with leverage.
EU accession talks with North Macedonia hit a deadlock after Bulgaria, an EU member state, blocked negotiations over unresolved disputes on historical interpretation and language. Central to Bulgaria’s demands was the formal recognition of a Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia’s constitution, an issue Skopje declined to accommodate, bringing the enlargement process to a standstill.
The prolonged accession process to the European Union has eroded public support and credibility in North Macedonia. This disillusionment paved the way for the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party to regain power following the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, straining relations with neighbouring EU members Bulgaria and Greece.
The EU’s visa liberalization and mobility policies for non-member states in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe have significantly shaped labor movement across the continent. These policies have enabled a growing number of young, educated professionals to relocate to Western European countries, especially Germany, in pursuit of better employment opportunities and higher wages. While this trend helps address labor shortages in the West, it also accelerates the loss of skilled talent in the countries of origin, deepening demographic and economic challenges there.
Subjectio’s Google Maps:
Subjectio’s Google Maps archives document the effects of Russian and Western influences across Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Transnistria, and Belarus. Curated with the assistance of Google Alerts, Crom has organised these events by country and displayed them on a map in chronological order. While the images may not always directly correspond to the events, they aim to provide a broader visual context. Each pin on the map marks the location where Crom took the photographs. The map includes a series of seven video interviews conducted across the nine countries and states of interest.
All Images by Pierre Crom ©
Pierre Crom has lived in the Netherlands since 1987. He studied photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Since February 2014, Crom has extensively documented the war in Ukraine. In 2015, he won the Dutch Zilveren Camera award for a documentary series on the MH17 disaster. In 2017, his visual investigations from 2014 and 2015 in Ukraine were published in the photo book “War in Ukraine”, offering an intimate portrait of a country where socio-economic discontent spiraled into war. Since 2014, Pierre has been working on the digital project Subjectio, a visual exploration of Russian and Western influences in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Moldova, Transnistria, Ukraine, and Belarus. “Signs of War”, a documentary co-directed with Ukrainian director Juri Rechinsky, tells the story behind his 2014–2015 images in Ukraine. The documentary won Austria’s 2023 Vienna Film Award for Film of the Year. His website and related content are archived by the Dutch Royal Library for future research.