Russian Political Mythology and the War on Ukrainian Identity
12.11.2025
18:00 - 19:30
oiip
Währinger Strasse 3/12, 1090 Wien
Why does Russia wage war not only on Ukraine’s territory but also on the very idea of Ukrainian identity? How have political myths, distorted histories, and entrenched beliefs sustained and justified this aggression – both within Russia and abroad?
This panel discussion & book presentation will explore the deep-seated cultural, historical, and (geo)political roots of Russia’s war on Ukraine, tracing how the Kremlin’s narratives of historical grievance and imperial destiny evolved into instruments of propaganda, disinformation, and violence. Participants will examine how myths of Russophobia and the denial of Ukrainian statehood have been weaponised to rationalise invasion, while narratives of NATO “provocation” obscure the real motivations behind the war.
By unpacking Russia’s long tradition of anti-Ukrainian sentiments and their modern manifestations, the discussion will address how revisionist myth-making shapes public perception, policy, and international discourse.
Join us for an in-depth conversation on how political mythology fuels war – and why confronting it is essential to defending prosperity, identity, and democracy in Europe.
Panelists:
Dr. Anton Shekhovtsov
Visiting Professor, Central European University (Austria)
Dr. Tatiana Zhurzhenko
Researcher, Zentrum für Osteuropa- und internationale Studien (Germany)
Moderation:
Dr. Loïc Simonet
oiip
The discussion will be held in English.
A limited number of copies of the volume "Russia against Ukraine: Russian Political Mythology and the War on Ukrainian Identity" (2025) will be available during the panel discussion.