Mikhail Zygar, a renowned Russian investigative journalist and author of "War and Punishment," dives deep into the historical narratives that fuel Russia's imperial ambitions. He discusses Putin's controversial claims about Ukrainian identity and the long-standing myths perpetuated by state media. Zygar traces these inaccuracies back to medieval times, revealing how figures like Ivan Mazepa have been mythologized. The conversation highlights the importance of a truthful account of Russian history and the role of cultural icons in shaping national identity.
The podcast reveals how Russian leaders manipulate historical narratives to falsely assert Ukraine's illegitimacy, aiding their imperialist agenda.
Mikhail Zygar emphasizes the need for rewriting history to acknowledge the complexities of national identity and the injustices of Russian imperialism.
Deep dives
The Historical Unity Myth
A significant myth addressed is the notion of historical unity between Russia and Ukraine, which has been manipulated by Russian leaders to justify the invasion of Ukraine. This concept, traced back to a German monk's writings in the 17th century, claims that Ukraine is not a legitimate country but rather a part of a greater Russia. The narrative posits that Kievan Rus, a historic state centered in present-day Ukraine, eventually led to the establishment of Moscow as the capital of this unified entity. This portrayal serves as a tool in contemporary Russian media to reinforce the idea that Ukraine lacks sovereignty and legitimacy as a separate nation.
Myth of Betrayal: Ivan Mazepa's Choices
The story of Ivan Mazepa, a Ukrainian leader who allied with Sweden during a critical moment in history, highlights another myth regarding betrayal. Russian historians label his decision to work against Peter the Great as treason, while Ukrainian perspectives celebrate it as a commitment to national interests. This duality reflects the ongoing moral dilemmas faced by leaders and activists in Ukraine, where the term 'zrada,' meaning betrayal, plays a significant role in political discourse. Understanding Mazepa’s dilemma provides insight into the complexities of loyalty and identity during times of conflict.
Revising Imperial Narratives
The podcast underscores the necessity of revising the historical narratives constructed by the Russian state, which have often obscured the true events and motivations of history. It argues for a comprehensive people's history that acknowledges past crimes and injustices committed by the Russian empire, including the suppression of Ukrainian culture and language. Mikhail Zygar emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse histories of all nations affected by Russian imperialism to foster a better understanding of the present. This critical approach to history serves as both a remedy for past wrongs and a pathway for future reconciliation.
Days before Russia invaded Ukraine 3 years ago, Russian president Vladimir Putin read an essay he’d written in 2021, “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” wherein he claimed that Ukraine is a fake country that was invented by Lenin. This version of Russian history, which is full of inaccuracies amplified on Russian state media, has been used by the Russian state to justify their imperialist wars. But the myths in Russia's state-sponsored version of history are not new. In fact, Mikhail Zygar, a Russian investigative journalist, has traced the myths back at least as far as the middle ages. In Zygar's book, War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, he unravels a thousand years of fables that led to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. In this conversation with Brooke which we first aired in 2023, Zygar recounts and contextualizes the history-fueled ingredients of today's Russian propaganda, and talks about his mission to write new works of Russian history that account for the country's colonial past, and present.
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