The Interpretation of History in Russia and Ukraine and the Russo-Ukrainian War

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

This panel engages history in the Russia-Ukraine war in two distinctive yet connected ways, examining 1) both how various actors employ historical narratives to justify contemporary decision-making (ranging from Russian justifications of atrocities to Ukrainian narratives of resistance) and 2) how regional history shapes the symbolic and physical battlefields in which this war is playing out. Oleksa Drachewych will discuss parallels and connections between Soviet atrocities during the Second World War and after and Russian atrocities in Ukraine today. Kristina Hook will address the historical narratives used to by diverse Ukrainian stakeholders over the past ten years of the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict to motivate national resistance, reconsider historical Moscow-Ukraine relations, and shape new ideas of Ukrainian national identity—as well as how these dynamics have changed over time. Alexandra Hrycak will explore the creation of counter narrative that challenges the Kremlin's "necropolitics" - its understanding of history, memory, and humanity in the case of the treatment of victims of the war, including torture victims and fallen soldiers. Finally, Jade McGlynn will focus on how the Putin regime uses illiberal memory at home and abroad to undermine Ukraine and legitimize Russia's aggression.

Sub Unit

• Politics/Law

Chair

• Steven Seegel, U of Texas at Austin

Roundtable Members

• Oleksa Drachewych, Western U (Canada)

• Kristina Hook, Kennesaw State U

• Alexandra Martha Hrycak, Reed College