Borys Bazylevskyi
PhD in Law, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
DOI: 10.37837/2707-7683-2023-2
Abstract. The article analyses the identity of the russians, attempting to answer the question ‘Who are the “russkiye”?’ and seeking to set off a broader discourse and further research on the subject. The author indicates that historical science offers several theories concerning the origin of the ‘russkiye’: the theory of strictly Slavic origin, the theory of the Slavicisation of Finno-Ugric peoples, the theory of mixed Finno-Ugric and Turkic origin, and the theory of mixed Finno-Ugric and Slavic origin. The author believes that regardless of the abandonment of some Tatar traditions and falsification of its historical roots, the muscovite society remained an inherent successor to the Horde with a veneer of Europeanness defined by an unquenchable thirst for expansion, appropriation of history and culture, and destruction. The author argues that the country of the ‘russkiye’ poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the whole world. The problem is that the ‘russkiye’ cannot develop into a nation, as they remain a relic anomaly of the early Middle Ages. The ‘russkiye’ seek to compensate for their own inferiority complex by subversive activities against other countries and claiming to offer a unique third way of ‘civilisation’. In the 21st century, in spite of the kremlin’s chauvinistic policy, oppression, and bans on national education, powerful national movements are developing in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the North Caucasus. Siberian ethnic groups such as the Yakuts, Chukchi, and others are becoming more prominent in this context.
The author encourages further research on the subject, pointing out the sparse academic discourse around it. In the context of the full-scale war against Ukraine, it became even clearer that civilisation needs to help the ‘russkiye’ abandon the mythological idea of their background and source of origin as soon as possible. Obviously, this will lead to their empire’s disintegration (which is inevitable in any case). Its collapse will be immensely beneficial for the ethnic groups that inhabit it and for the whole world.
Keywords: theories of origin, ‘russkiye’, disintegration of the muscovite empire, ethnic groups of russia.
References
- Vassilios Vassilias (2015) In search of hope and home. Sydney: Plast, p. 18.
- Ibid. P. 21.
- Senko, D. (2020) Ukraine downunder. Sydney, Melbourne: Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, p. 11.