This study examines how two contrasting Russian media outlets, Meduza and Kommersant, construct narratives about the Russian war against Ukraine and what their implications for historical memory and public perception are through a discourse analysis of their Twitter content. Meduza, an independent outlet, frames Russia as an aggressor violating international norms, emphasizing Ukraine’s resilience, Western support, and humanitarian consequences. Even if it purposely does not address the Russian-speaking minority, it covers related issues, such as language rights and the policy of introducing Ukrainian as a single state language. In contrast, Kommersant aligns with state rhetoric presenting Russia’s actions as defensive, legitimizing its presence in Ukraine, and reinforcing historical ties between the Russian-speaking community and Russia itself. The analysis of audience engagement reveals how these narratives resonate with the public. The sentiment analysis underlines salient differences: Meduza’s audience is highly critical of Russian policies, whereas Kommersant’s followers demonstrate alignment with Kremlin perspectives. Historical memory is constructed by both outlets by drawing parallels with World War II to justify or condemn the Russian war against Ukraine.