Espreso. Global

Ruthless multicultural xenophobia on rise in Russia

30 October, 2023 Monday
15:13

Xenophobia and hatred seem to be deeply ingrained in modern-day Russia, and the impunity for expressing these sentiments has intensified animosity towards anyone who appears different in terms of appearance, language, or thought

client/title.list_title

Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Kovalenko writes about it in his analytical piece on Medium

The events that unfolded at Makhachkala Airport on Sunday afternoon, where radicals searched for Jews allegedly arriving from Israel to Russia's Dagestan, were, unfortunately, predictable. Similar incidents occurred the day before in Khasavyurt, where a crowd of radicals raided a local hotel in search of Jewish guests. It seems xenophobia and hatred are deeply ingrained in modern-day Russia, and what's more troubling is that the impunity for expressing these sentiments has intensified animosity towards anyone who appears different in terms of appearance, language, or thought.

Historically, Russia has often channeled domestic issues by promoting hatred toward ethnic and religious groups other than Russians and Orthodox Christians. When state-sponsored propaganda fails to target outside groups for hatred, the people who have grown accustomed to animosity start turning against each other, even their neighbors from other federal districts or regions.

In the 1990s, the Russian government managed to divert public attention from the severe economic crisis by periodically allowing citizens to direct their anger toward individuals from the Caucasus. Xenophobia became a lifeline for the incompetent officials in the Kremlin, and under Vladimir Putin's leadership, these processes escalated. Conflicts rooted in ethnicity were not only exploited but also catalyzed and interethnic hostility was encouraged.

Russia's troubling embrace of neo-Nazism

Under Putin, the Partizan center was established near St. Petersburg under FSB auspices, where hundreds of neo-Nazis from around the world received combat training. The center, run by the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM), provided trainees with the resources to practice urban warfare tactics. Many graduates ended up in conflict zones, including as part of the Wagner Group.

St. Petersburg became the new home for Rinaldo Nazarro, the founder and leader of The Base, an American paramilitary neo-Nazi group who fled from American justice to Russia, where he openly resides, confident that the FBI can't reach him there.

Russia also hosted the International Russian Conservative Forum under Putin's leadership, bringing together members of leading neo-Nazi and ultra-right parties from 11 European countries. The event was organized by the Rodina party, once linked to the infamous Russian politician Dmitry Rogozin, who was previously a regular participant in various neo-Nazi gatherings.

Under Putin, the neo-Nazi organization Russian Image operated in Russia for years, eventually becoming a core base for BORN, a group involved in armed robberies and contract killings, often in the interests of Russian security services. Some journalists affiliated with the Russian defense ministry have connections to this group.

Russian intelligence agencies under Putin actively sponsored European neo-Nazi organizations, including Golden Dawn in Greece, the National Democratic Party of Germany, Attack in Bulgaria, Lombardy League and New Force in Italy, the British National Party, the Swedes Party, The Danish party, and many others.

This legacy of xenophobia and extremism continues to cast a shadow on Russia's domestic and international policies, perpetuating tensions and conflicts.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Friday
16 May
20:35
Exclusive
Trump protects Putin, turning peace talks into a sham, says politician
20:16
Exclusive
Trump helped Putin secure diplomatic win in Turkey negotiations — journalist Portnikov
19:58
Russian demands at Istanbul talks are unacceptable to Ukraine, MFA says
19:40
“Trump’s policy pressured victim, Ukraine,” says ex-U.S. ambassador explaining resignation
19:20
Updated
Prisoner swap, ceasefire, Putin and Zelenskyy meeting: Ukrainian delegation sums up talks with Russia in Istanbul
19:17
Exclusive
Ukraine’s defense sector now worth €35 billion, up from €1 billion in 2022 – EU’s Kubilius
18:58
Exclusive
"Not talks, but theater": journalist Portnikov on Istanbul negotiations
18:36
Starmer calls for fulfillment of ultimatum after Putin snubs negotiations
18:15
Zelenskyy, four European leaders hold phone call with Trump after Istanbul talks
17:54
Russia's attacks on hotels aim to disrupt war coverage
17:32
Exclusive
Trump “tries to ignore” recent Turkey developments — UCCA spokesperson
17:14
Zelenskyy calls on Putin to send delegation "with real authority" for talks
16:56
Exclusive
“President of Brazil scolded Putin”: Ukrainian MP explains Kremlin’s refusal to meet da Silva
16:36
OPINION
Who is Medinsky? Why Putin revived the "dead Istanbul"
16:10
Trump says he may call Putin to discuss ending Ukraine war
15:54
Putin sending low-ranking team to Istanbul talks a mistake, says Rutte
15:52
Updated
Zelenskyy urges new sanctions if Russia sabotages peace talks
15:32
Diplomatic drama in Turkey: Putin snubs talks as U.S., Europe tighten screws
15:14
Ukraine returns bodies of 909 fallen defenders
14:57
Ukraine lost almost $1 billion on missing weapons deals
14:49
Updated
EU readies 18th sanctions package to intensify pressure on Russia – von der Leyen
14:40
Exclusive
Russian-Ukrainian frontline hits positional deadlock — Defense Express
14:17
OPINION
Trump, Putin deeply divided on Ukraine war's roots and resolution
13:58
Exclusive
1-kilometer-long fields littered with Russian soldiers’ bodies — Ukraine’s 72nd Brigade
13:40
Exclusive
Putin has no interest in ending war, prepares for new offensive — expert
13:23
OPINION
Istanbul talks: No breakthrough expected today
13:05
Exclusive
Russia receives two key signals in negotiations — political analyst
12:29
Review
Russia prepares for major summer offensive, Ukraine ramps up fiber-optic drone production. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:54
OPINION
How to end major local war when neither side is willing to stop
11:36
Russia reports Crimea drone attack: ammo depot allegedly hit
11:02
Murals in Zaporizhzhya and front line areas show that this land in Ukraine
Murals in Zaporizhzhia and front line areas show that this land in Ukraine
10:45
Exclusive
Putin directly states his goals in war against Ukraine — political scientist
10:27
Ukraine loses F-16 fighter jet in repelling Russian air attack: pilot ejects
10:09
Russia loses 1,100 soldiers, 36 artillery systems, 32 armored vehicles in one day of war in Ukraine
09:51
Russian delegation to await Ukrainian counterparts starting 10 a.m. May 16 — Putin's aide
09:34
Russian propagandists given Kremlin-approved script for covering Ukraine talks in Istanbul
2025, Thursday
15 May
21:40
Melania Trump statue disappears in Slovenia: police launch investigation
21:20
Exclusive
EU Military Committee pledges 2 million artillery shells for Ukraine by end of 2025
21:06
Exclusive
Kherson deploys anti-drone nets over city streets amid Russian UAV threat — local official
20:49
Rubio slams Russian delegation in Istanbul, says breakthrough unlikely
More news