Kremlin Under the Cover of Historical Myths: How Russian Authorities Justify the War in Ukraine and Ignite Anti-Western Rhetoric – ISW Analysis
On the eve of May 9, the tragic yet festive Day of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of World War II, the Kremlin intensified a large-scale propaganda campaign, using myths and symbols of the past to shape the so-called "United Historical Identity." This strategic step aims to promote the conduct of the war against Ukraine as a logical and continuous part of the heroic path of the Soviet Union during WWII, thereby justifying the current aggression and creating the necessary informational background to support the internal morale of Russian society. According to data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian politicians and media consistently employ Soviet myths about victory in the most brutal war of the 20th century, seeking to transform this historical legacy into a modern ideology that justifies the now prolonged and unprecedented scale of the military operation. In particular, on May 8, this year, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov published an article in which he stated that Russia’s war in Ukraine would enter history as a "feat," with a hint that it continues the glorious traditions of the Red Army’s victories over Nazi Germany. Belousov emphasized that Russia’s current efforts are not just a military operation but a deep historical mission based on "heroic resilience" and "glorious traditions" of the Soviet people, and that victory in this conflict is "inevitable." These statements are an important part of a broader campaign to form a new ideological paradigm, in which historical myths about World War II become tools of information warfare. The focus on using Soviet symbols and historical narratives is actively supported by Russian state media, further confirming the purposeful nature of this ideological campaign. According to ISW analysts, the Kremlin invests significant resources into shaping a new state ideology intended to reach several generations of Russians and serve as a foundation for justifying potential new acts of aggression – against the West and against regional opponents. Belousov himself repeats the narrative that Moscow could not respond otherwise than by initiating a full-scale war, because, in his words, the situation in the country was a "matter of life and death." This statement is a classic example of using historical myths to justify contemporary political decisions. Equally important is the rhetoric of Dmytro Medvedev – former president and current deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, who recently threatened European countries, insisting that they must "remember" the indisputable victory over Nazi Germany when supporting Ukraine. This is another element of the large-scale anti-Western rhetoric that aims to convince both internal and international audiences that the current war is a continuation of the historical struggle for "justice" and "liberation." Analysts note that such messages are part of a broader strategic concept – the strategy of "reflexive control," designed to reduce support for Ukraine in Europe through fake historical narratives, demotivation, and frustration. This is a targeted campaign to stir anti-Western and anti-Western rhetoric, which, according to Kremlin plans, should strengthen internal unity and lay the groundwork for possible new military offensives. Overall, the active use of myths and symbols of Soviet history in Russia’s external and internal politics is not just propaganda but a strategic tool for creating a new state ideology capable of justifying and rationalizing potential escalation of the conflict. Given this tendency, the international community must actively analyze and counteract the dissemination of such narratives to reduce their influence on public opinion both within Russia and in Western countries.