Club raids, influencers: How Putin’s playbook is pushing young Russians toward ultranationalism

When Francesca Ebel, a Russia correspondent for The Post, returned to one of Moscow’s most popular nightclubs after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, she noticed differences. The physical structure was there, but there were fewer young artists. Something had changed.

What Ebel noticed that night was just one example of a bigger shift. Her reporting has since found that young Russians are increasingly embracing a culture of ultranationalist patriotism and Orthodox Christian values. Online influencers and Kremlin-sanctioned artists are changing the narratives on war and identity. An independent poll this year found a majority of Russians ages 18 to 24 support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Conforming can bring rewards and career advancement. Defiance can mean jail – or worse. 

Today on “Post Reports,” Ebel speaks with host Elahe Izadi about her reporting inside Russia on how Putin’s propaganda strategies toward Russian youth are working – and creating a new generation to carry forward the Kremlin’s anti-Western ideology. 

Read more from The Post’s “Russia, Remastered” series:

• We reported for months on changes sweeping Russia. Here’s what we found.
• A wartime generation of youth molded by Putin’s propaganda 
• Artists say Putin’s push for patriotism is killing Russian culture
• To please Putin, universities purge liberals and embrace patriots
• Have babies for Russia: Putin presses women to embrace patriotism over feminism
• Washington and the West struggle for a way forward with Putin’s Russia

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was mixed by Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also helped with translation. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with help from Maggie Penman. Thanks to David Herszenhorn, Paul Schemm and Jenn Amur. 

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