Cross, Crescent, Kolovrat and Kalashnikov
The Role of Modern Paganism and other Religions in the War in Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/pome.27650Keywords:
Paganism, Russia, Ukraine, war, propagandaAbstract
Although religion is not the main motif of the Russo-Ukrainian war, it is one of the factors that come into play on both sides of the conflict. Since the very beginning of the conflict in 2014 (and even before), we have seen the Russian Orthodox church playing a vital role in Russian propaganda, but also in the physical warfare, as it has been providing facilities to the (pro-)Russian forces. We have seen entirely Muslim battalions fighting in the name of God on both sides of the conflict, and we have also seen contemporary Pagans fighting on both sides and erecting idols of Perun and other deities on their military bases and conquered territories. This article explores the various ways in which religions, religious groups and institutions enter the conflict—as individual and group motivators or catalysts, as a source of identity, or as a tool for justification of violence, as well as a means—and a target—of propaganda.
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