Key criticisms of Katchanovski's work on the Maidan Massacre:
Selective use of evidence: Katchanovski has been criticized for cherry-picking data and ignoring contrary evidence. Numerous investigations by reputable international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations, have generally concluded that Ukrainian security forces were responsible for the majority of the killings. Katchanovski, however, focuses heavily on evidence that supports his thesis while downplaying or ignoring evidence that contradicts it.
Lack of peer review and academic rigor: Much of Katchanovski’s work on the Maidan massacre is published outside of mainstream academic channels, bypassing the peer review process. This means that his research hasn't been subject to the same scrutiny as most academic works in political science or history. His claims are presented as fact, but they have not been sufficiently vetted or debated by experts in the field.
Conspiracy theory framing (explains Okceg attraction to this propaganda): Katchanovski’s central argument—that the massacre was orchestrated by elements within the protest movement to discredit the government—has been labeled as a conspiracy theory by many scholars. His framing relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and speculative leaps, which reduces the credibility of his conclusions.
Inconsistent narrative with established facts: His narrative often conflicts with multiple credible reports and eyewitness accounts from the event. Investigative journalists, human rights organizations, and international bodies have documented that most of the violence was perpetrated by government forces. While some aspects of the Maidan events remain unresolved, the broad consensus is that Ukrainian authorities were largely responsible for the violence, a position that Katchanovski disputes without convincing evidence.
Accusations of pro-Kremlin bias: Katchanovski has been accused of having ties to Russian disinformation campaigns, particularly because his views align closely with Kremlin narratives about Ukraine. Russia has consistently sought to delegitimize the Maidan protests and portray them as Western-engineered coups, and Katchanovski’s research lends credence to that narrative. His work has been cited by Russian state media outlets, which has fueled allegations of bias.
