The Myth of Russia: Ukraine's Impact on Russian Identity

In an interview with Yuliya Kovaliv, Jade McGlynn, a researcher at King's College London, discusses the role of ordinary Russians in the aggression against Ukraine. McGlynn argues that the aggression is not solely Putin's venture and that getting rid of one person will not solve the conflict. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the propaganda and narratives that resonate with Russians, as well as the reactions of Russia's liberal opposition to the war. McGlynn also notes the relative silence of regional media outlets about the war and suggests that there is cognitive dissonance and avoidance among Russians regarding the poor progress of the invasion in Ukraine.