RUSI Journal Radio S2E2: Shaping History: War and Russian Identity
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Mar 21, 2022 In this engaging discussion, Julie Fedor, a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Melbourne, delves into how the Russian state manipulates history to mold national identity during conflicts. She examines the distortion of WWII narratives to justify actions in Ukraine and highlights the role of soldiers' mothers advocating for their children amid state repression. The conversation touches on the societal impact of military losses and the potential for counter-narratives to emerge as the regime struggles to maintain control.
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WWII Memory Shapes Russian Identity
- The Second World War memory is central to Russian national identity and used for national consolidation.
- The Putin regime uses it to justify great power status and the state's current authoritarian and militaristic policies.
Chechen Wars Influence Putin's Image
- Recent wars like the first Chechen war are used in Russian state propaganda to suppress dissent.
- Putin built his political image restoring the army's honor after Chechen wars, linking militarism to his leadership cult.
History as a Political Weapon
- The Putin regime strategically manipulates history to depict itself as the defender of order against chaos.
- It weaponizes historical narratives to denigrate Ukraine and justify violence against its population.