The Battle for Identity: Understanding Russia’s War on Ukraine
Datum/Zeit
September 22, 2025
18:00 MESZ/MEZ
Book presentation and discussion
On-site: Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, Hahngasse 6/Mezzanin
Online: Zoom
Scroll down to register
Is NATO to blame for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine? This rationale for launching the full-scale invasion alongside the denial of Ukraine’s statehood, among other claims is actively promoted by Russia both domestically and abroad. Given the limited knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe’s history and identities in many Western societies, such narratives often find fertile ground.
This event will focus on this topic in the context of the recently published multi-author study Russia against Ukraine: Russian Political Mythology and the War on Ukrainian Identity. The book explores the ideological, political, and cultural roots of Russia’s war on Ukraine, demonstrating how revisionist myth-making has shaped Russia’s aggression and why understanding this mythology is essential to grasping the conflict.
The discussion following the book presentation will examine these issues further, with particular attention to Russia’s weaponization of history, employed both in domestic propaganda and international disinformation campaigns, Kremlin efforts to instill Ukrainophobia, while portraying itself as a victim of Russophobia.
Programme:
Book presentation: “Russia against Ukraine”
Anton Shekhovtsov, Centre for Democratic Integrity
Panel discussion:
Anastasiia Hatsenko, Paneuropean Youth of Ukraine
Sebastian Schäffer, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
Anton Shekhovtsov, Centre for Democratic Integrity
Moderation:
Malwina Talik, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
Cooperation partner:
Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Centre for Democratic Integrity
Registration:
It is possible to participate in the event either on-site at the Institute of the Danube Region and Central Europe (Hahngasse 6/Mezzanin) or online.
By registering for participation at the IDM, you also consent to being photographed. If you do not wish to appear in photos, please indicate this in the comment section.
Register here to participate onsite:
For online registration, please click here.
Kategorien
