Authors

Natalia Gromakova¹;  ¹ University of Aberdeen, UK

Discussion

The Russian Federation's military aggression against independent Ukraine illustrated Moscow's imperial ambitions. The new imperialists turn to the past in their claims to Ukrainian lands. An important component of the Kremlin's expansionist plans is the earliest possible incorporation of the occupied territories of Ukraine. These measures include not only the creation of military occupation administrations, but also, given the insufficient cooperation of the local population with the occupiers, the construction of power structures with the help of "specialists" imported from Russia. An important role in spreading the ideas and practices of the "Russian World" is played by the education system, whose representatives were also mobilized for the "denazification" of Ukrainians through the introduction of Russian educational standards in the occupied territories. The information mouthpiece of the implementation of the Russian chauvinist-imperial project is propaganda, which not only spreads the ideas of the "Russian world", but also mobilizes the public, forming an alternative reality, to which it tries to attract, in addition to Russians, the citizens of Ukraine who are under occupation. The main tools are manipulation, spread of fake news, demonization of Ukrainians and Western countries, etc.

The analysis of these trends allows us to identify analogies with the state policy of the 19th century, when attempts were made to implement the Russian national-imperial project for the first time. My attention is focused on a comparative analysis of the goals and objectives of the policy aimed at the incorporation of the occupied Ukrainian territories at the present stage with the historical experience of the imperial period, the characteristics of the mechanisms of its implementation. From this point of view, historical legitimation is the main argument in favor of Kremlin imperialism, which is confirmed by numerous publications of the Russian mass media and statements of government officials.