Pavlo KryvenkoAs in Stalin’s day and beyond, Russian military misconduct and cruelty are not coincidental; they are sanctioned by the Kremlin. From the Russo-Circassian War through World War II to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the history of Russian military operations demonstrates a pattern of deliberate brutality and savagery that is profoundly embedded in Russian military doctrine. The systematic attempts at eradication, ethnic cleansing, and crimes carried out by the Russian military over the course of history highlight a policy of violence that is not an isolated incident.
In the 19th century, the Russian Empire’s ruthless tactics in wars of conquest and ethnic cleansing, such as the Russo-Circassian War, resulted in mass killings and forced expulsions of populations. The dehumanization of adversaries and the denial of their humanity or sovereignty by Russian military commanders echo the modern denial of Ukrainian statehood and the labeling of the Ukrainian government as a “Nazi regime.” This continuity in imperialist and militaristic ideologies highlights a persistent disregard for human rights and international norms.
The horrors of World War II, including the Red Army’s rampage through Germany and the mass rapes committed by Soviet soldiers, exemplify a long-standing culture of brutality within the Russian military. The widespread looting, sexual violence, and disregard for civilian lives during conflicts reflect a systemic issue that transcends individual actions and is rooted in military doctrine and historical precedent.
The recent events in Ukraine, particularly the atrocities in Bucha, where civilians were summarily executed, tortured, and subjected to sexual slavery by Russian forces, provide stark evidence of the continuation of this culture of brutality. The deliberate targeting of civilians, the lack of respect for the laws of war, and the prevalence of war crimes underscore a policy of violence that is not incidental but sanctioned by the Kremlin.
The parallels between the brutality of the Russian military in Stalin’s time and the present day highlight a disturbing continuity in the use of violence as a tool of war and domination. The Kremlin’s approval of such behavior, as evidenced by the atrocities committed in various conflicts, underscores a strategic choice to prioritize brutality and intimidation as means of achieving military objectives. This entrenched culture of violence poses a significant challenge to international efforts to uphold human rights, protect civilians, and hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.