This article discusses the nature of Putin’s regime and its actions in Ukraine, with a focus on whether they can be considered fascist. The author argues that while Russia‘s policies share similarities with fascist regimes, such as using terror, forced reeducation, and material incentives to impose a sociocultural transformation, they are not inherently fascist. However, the Kremlin’s methods and goals, which aim to turn Ukrainian communities into ideologically standardized cells of a unified “Russian people,” do bear some resemblance to fascist revolutions.
The article highlights the Russian imperial ultranationalist view of Ukraine as part of “New Russia” or “Little Russia,” where Ukrainians are seen as merely sub-ethnic groups of the greater Russian people. This vision portrays Ukrainians as border-dwellers of the Russian empire rather than citizens of an independent state, and Moscow’s occupation policy seeks to reverse this perceived “civilizational split” through a rebirth of “Little Russia” within the annexed territories.
The author acknowledges that population homogenization campaigns are not exclusive to fascism, but notes that the Kremlin’s russification efforts in Ukraine align closely enough with classical fascist strategies to be considered quasi-fascist. However, they also point out that Russia’s current internal situation is still far from full-fledged fascism, as Putin and his circle are more like representatives of the pre-1991 “ancien régime” than domestic revolutionaries.
The article also notes that many scholars refuse to label Putin’s regime as fascist, instead opting for terms such as “illiberal,” “conservative,” or “traditionalist.” However, this classification is seen as inadequate by Ukrainian victims and international critics of Russia’s actions. The author argues that reducing Putinism solely to fascism oversimplifies its nature and ignores the political pragmatism behind many of its actions.
Overall, the article suggests that while Putin’s regime shares some similarities with fascist regimes, it is not inherently fascist but rather a unique blend of ultranationalism, imperialism, and pragmatic calculation.