By reducing the war in Ukraine to a “one man’s issue”, Russia can whitewash its image and avoid the topic of collective accountability, as well as create confusion and distractions when seeking justice.
Members of the Russian patriotic young movement “Yunarmia“, attend a concert on September 29, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. The concert is dedicated to the one-year anniversary of the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine’s Luhansk oblast, Donetsk oblast, Kherson oblast, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast, during Russia’s full scale war against Ukraine.
This framing is misleading. This framing is misleading, as it simplifies the invasion and affects perceptions of allies. It also fuels Russian propaganda. By focusing on the actions taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the blame for this brutal invasion is shifted from the Russian people. In reality, millions are driving and maintaining the war. This calls for a broader look at collective responsibility.
The concept of collective accountability holds that a society or group can be morally responsible for certain actions, even if no individual directly contributed. This means that the Russian population and its institutions bear moral responsibility for the war in Ukraine, given the large number of Russians that facilitate the continued aggression every day.
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