RUSSIA: The Deadly Concept of Russkiy Mir
This week, let's dive into a concept that's all too familiar to those affected by the war in Ukraine. It's a dangerous idea—one that kills. It's a stupid concept. One that doesn't make sense.
It's called Russkiy mir, or the Russian world.
The term started gaining traction in the early 2000s, when Putin began using it to justify his imperial ambitions.
In this post, we'll take a look at what this ideology really is, why it's so dangerous, and why those of us in the West need to pay close attention.
At the heart of the Russkiy mir concept is the belief that those who speak Russian, follow the Russian Orthodox Church, and share a common Russian historical narrative are bound together by a deep cultural and spiritual unity. This vision extends beyond Russia’s borders, encompassing people in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, parts of the Baltics, and other former Soviet states.
But this idea often glosses over—or outright denies—the distinct national identities of Russia’s neighbors. It presents them instead as mere branches of a larger “Russian world.” In doing so, it elevates Russian identity while eroding the cultural and political sovereignty of surrounding nations. On the surface, it might seem like an expression of cultural pride—but in practice, it’s been repeatedly used to justify foreign interference under the banner of "protecting Russian speakers."
HISTORICAL UNITY AND BACKGROUND
Before the 1930s, the Russkiy mir concept was seldom invoked. However, by the 1930s, it began to gain traction, eventually picking up significant momentum in the 1990s, particularly after the controversial Kremlin ideologue, Alexander Dugin, began incorporating it into his writings. Dugin, a key advisor to Vladimir Putin, played a pivotal role in promoting this idea. Later, in 2007, Putin established the Russkiy Mir Foundation, a Kremlin-backed organization aimed at promoting the Russian language and culture globally.
In 2001, Putin declared, “The notion of the Russian World extends far beyond Russia’s geographical borders and even beyond the borders of the Russian ethnicity.” This should have been a glaring warning for Europe about his imperialistic aspirations for the future.
The Russkiy mir idea is built upon a selective, romanticized interpretation of history. It draws from the legacy of Kievan Rus, the Russian Empire, and modern Russia under Putin’s rule, framing Russia as the rightful heir to this historical continuum. This is why countries like Ukraine and Belarus are often seen not as independent nations, but as historical extensions of Russia.
This narrative is dangerously reductive, dismissing the cultural evolution and national movements of other countries. Take Ukraine, for instance: Putin refuses to view its independence as a legitimate choice made by the Ukrainian people, instead framing it as either a mistake or the result of Western interference. In Putin’s view, all Russian speakers must fall under the umbrella of “Mother Russia.” This ideology undermines the legitimacy of other nations' right to self-determination and sovereignty.
By ignoring centuries of distinct cultural and national development, this revisionist historical framework serves as a tool to delegitimize the independence and statehood of neighboring countries.
CULTURAL SUPERIORITY
A key and dangerous element of the Russkiy mir ideology is the belief in the moral and cultural superiority of the Russian nation—particularly in contrast to the West. This ideology often portrays Western liberalism, secularism, and multiculturalism as decadent, corrupt, or spiritually bankrupt. In contrast, Russia is presented as a bastion of traditional values, strong leadership, and moral clarity. This narrative even seeks to attract disillusioned conservatives in Europe and America, who are frustrated with what they see as Western moral decay, encouraging them to move to Russia under a temporary visa of up to three years. This move often allows them to bring their families, serving as a powerful piece of Kremlin propaganda to exploit against the West.
This "us vs. them" mentality, strongly pushed by the Kremlin, fuels a culture war narrative that could escalate into further hybrid warfare in Europe—and potentially even lead to a conventional conflict down the line. It frames Russia not just as a nation, but as the guardian of a purer way of life, under siege by globalization and Western influence. This narrative bolsters domestic authoritarianism, equating loyalty to Russian values with loyalty to the state—and labeling dissent as an act of betrayal.
WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS
What makes the Russkiy mir concept truly dangerous is how it is weaponized for political gain. The Russian government has consistently used this idea to justify intervention in neighboring countries, claiming a responsibility to protect Russian speakers or defend Russian culture. This rationale was one of the justifications for the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It is also frequently used as a threat against NATO countries, particularly the Baltics.
However, these justifications are often hollow. Russian-speaking populations in these countries are rarely under threat, yet the narrative gives Russia a convenient pretext to destabilize or occupy foreign territories. It’s not just about language or culture—it’s about power, control, and a desire to reclaim the influence lost after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
This is something the West, particularly Europe, must take seriously. Finland, for example, faces threats due to border closures. Additionally, countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are being targeted for efforts to limit certain rights of Russian speakers, as they seek to integrate these populations more fully into local cultures.
CONCLUSION
Russkiy mir isn't just a cultural theory—it’s an expansionist ideology dressed up in historical and moral language. It denies the sovereignty of independent nations, undermines democracy, and fuels violence. Wherever it's invoked, it tends to follow with disinformation campaigns, proxy conflicts, or full-scale war.
For the West, understanding this ideology is essential. It’s not just about Russia’s neighbors—it’s about how authoritarian ideas can be masked as cultural pride, and how easily those ideas can cross borders. If we fail to take it seriously, we risk enabling a worldview that justifies aggression in the name of unity.
Reference
- De Nederlandse Grondwet - Russkiy Mir in the EU
- Marcin Orzechowski - Russkiy Mir (Russian World): An Exemplification of All-Russian Nationalism.
- UA Crisis Media Centre - “Russkiy Mir” as the Kremlin’s Quasi-ideology
Comments
Post a Comment