Study Notes on Imperial Nationalism and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Topic: Imperial nationalism as the driver behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Author: Taras Kuzio, Department of Political Science, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine
Correspondence: Taras Kuzio, Department of Political Science, National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 2 Skovoroda Street, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04070
Email: taraskuziophd@gmail.com
DOI: 10.1111/nana.12875

Root Causes of Invasion:
- The revival of Tsarist imperial nationalism and White Russian émigré nationalist views denying the existence of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
- The cult of the Great Patriotic War and Joseph Stalin, with a particular focus on Soviet-era discourse labeling Ukrainian nationalists as Nazis.
Pan-Russian Nation Concept:
- Russian imperial nationalists view eastern Slavs as a unified pan-Russian nation encompassing Great Russians, Little Russians, and White Russians.
Characterization of Ukrainian Nationalists:
- Ukrainian nationalists are considered Nazis by Russian standards if they pursue a future outside the Soviet Union and uphold an ethnic Ukrainian identity.
- The Russian World is integral to the Eurasian Economic Union, positioned as an alternative to the EU's Eastern Partnership.
- The term "denazification" is connected to a genocidal goal of eradicating anti-Russian sentiments in Ukraine fostered by nationalism and Western influences.

Denazification, genocide, Russian imperial nationalism, Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin

Date of Invasion: The invasion commenced on February 24, 2022.
Motivations:
- Rooted in imperial nationalism and Soviet-era ideology portraying Ukrainian nationalists as Nazis.
- Language preferences do not impact the derogatory characterization of Ukrainians by the Russian state.
Impact on Regions:
- Russian-speaking areas of eastern Ukraine, particularly Donbas, Mariupol, and Kharkiv, have witnessed severe war crimes and destruction.
Putin's Agenda:
- Aimed at reintegrating Ukraine into the Russian sphere, driving a narrative of a pan-Russian homeland.
- Long-term dehumanization of Ukrainians has justified ongoing violence and atrocities.

Scholarly Oversight:
- Many scholars downplayed nationalism in Russia, labeling it as temporary until the invasion of Ukraine forced a re-evaluation.
- Key works on Russian nationalism from 2014 onward overlooked the influence of imperial nationalist discourses.
- Descriptions of nationalism as a transient phenomenon ignored its long-standing role in Putin's regime.
Crisis in Russian Studies:
- Russian military actions in Ukraine prompted a need to reconsider scholarly approaches to imperial nationalism and relevant historical narratives.
Consequences of Denial:
- Allowing Russian aggression against Ukrainians to manifest without intellectual challenge has intensified the crisis in understanding Russian state motivations.

Understanding Invasion:
- The invasion's brutality can be traced back to heightened imperial nationalism and persistent dehumanizing rhetoric regarding Ukrainians.
Public Support:
- Polling data shows 81% of Russians supported military actions against Ukraine, with 89% believing official justifications for the invasion.
Denazification Discourse:
- This rhetoric stems from decades of ideology portraying Ukrainians as incapable of self-governance, and framing Russian involvement as a civilizing mission.
Perception of Ukrainian National Identity:
- A sense of superiority in Russian narratives led to conceptions of Ukraine as a client state manipulated by the U.S.

Historical Context:
- The 1993 coup against Boris Yeltsin illustrated the rise of a 'red-brown' alliance of pro-Soviet and far-right nationalists.
- The realignment towards nationalism began in the mid-1990s under Yeltsin's policies promoting a Russian-Belarusian union and the assertion of influence over Russophones.
Role of Eurasianism:
- The transition from seeing Russia’s relationship in a European context to positioning it at the center of Eurasia spurred a resurgence of nationalist ideologies.
Growth of the ‘Red-White-Brown’ Alliance:
- Domination of the political landscape by Tsarist imperial nationalists, including intellectuals like Alexander Dugin advocating extreme nationalist views against Ukrainians.
- Dugin’s ideology has permeated Russian leadership rhetoric, with calls for radical measures against Ukrainian identity.

Tsarist Revival:
- The intertwining of Tsarist imperial nationalism and Soviet ideological discourse enables the marginalization of Ukrainian identity.
- Ukraine's nationalists are branded as Nazis merely for their ethnic identity and aspirations for European integration.
Cults of Personality and Historical Revisionism:
- Putin’s admiration for Stalin hints at a regressive influence on contemporary Russian nationalism.
- Significant efforts to rehabilitate White Russian émigré figures tied into a broader narrative denying the existence and legitimacy of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Post-Soviet Identity:
- Russia seeks to reinforce an imperial vision, casting Ukraine's sovereignty as illegitimate and integral to the broader Russian World narrative.

Strategic Shifts:
- Changes in Putin's perspective coincided with growing isolation and a shift towards aggressive nationalist sentiment.
Failure of Initial Plans:
- Underestimation of Ukrainian resistance led to a shift in invasion tactics, moving towards a prolonged military campaign instead of a quick takeover.
Political Landscape in Ukraine:
- The decline of pro-Russian sentiment in Ukraine has been exacerbated by Russia's violent acts, transforming the public's perception of Russia from neutral to overwhelmingly negative.

Overall Impact:
- The combination of Tsarist imperial nationalism and Soviet ideologies underpins Russia's aggressive actions towards Ukraine, portraying Ukrainian identity as a threat.
- The portrayal of Ukraine as a U.S. puppet and the denazification narrative have justified ongoing atrocities against Ukrainians.
- The recent history reflects both a delegitimization of Russian national identity and a corresponding rise in Ukrainian nationalism, which has reached unprecedented unity against the Russian invasion.

A comprehensive list of scholarly articles and resources discussing nationalism, identity, and geopolitical strategies pertaining to Russia and Ukraine, underlining the dynamics of historical narratives and contemporary discourse that shaped the current conflict.