Russian aggression against Ukraine is far from being unprecedented. Rather, it is the latest in a long series of acts of aggression and coercion that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Vladimir Putin frequently invokes this deep historical narrative to justify his war against Ukraine. This book critically examines and deconstructs the historical mythology that fuels and legitimises Russia’s war narrative. It traces these myths back to their medieval roots, with particular attention to their religious dimensions.
Approaching the subject from a religious perspective, the book reveals how spiritual and historical narratives are intertwined in the Russian propaganda machine.
For anyone seeking to understand the deeper, more nuanced layers of Russian propaganda and its efforts to rationalise war, this book is essential reading. Without grasping these subtleties, one cannot fully comprehend the motivations behind Russia’s militaristic posture.
Archimandrite Cyril Hovorun, Ph.D.
Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola, Stockholm
