This dissertation research explores the historiography and source base for
studying ruscism, the theoretical and methodological principles for highlighting its
essence and content, and the main theoretical approaches to defining ruscism as an
ideological doctrine. The process of accumulating the source base on the
understanding of ruscism in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war is proposed
to be divided into three stages: Stage I: 2008 - early 2014 (The Russian
Federation's war against Georgia and Russia's preparation for war with Ukraine);
Stage II: March 2014 - February 23, 2022 (The Russian Federation's armed
aggression against Ukraine); Stage III: after February 24, 2022 (large-scale armed
aggression of Russia against Ukraine). The tendency of continuous diversification
of developments on ruscism issues is proven, with scientific works (monographs,
articles) and normative-legal documents of the Ukrainian state on this issue
occupying a leading position.
A comparative analysis of the main political characteristics of fascist Italy,
Nazi Germany, and ruscist Russia is conducted. Based on this, the ideological
proximity of the dominant ideologies of these countries is proven, which provides
grounds for qualifying ruscism as a new stage in the development of xenophobic
totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century, supplemented by new substantive
accents. At the same time, the totalitarian practice of the USSR (Stalinism) is taken
into account, which became an extremely influential source in shaping ruscism in
modern Russia. A set of verbal symbols (conceptual-categorical units) that
systematically explain the essence of ruscism in today's political realities is
defined.
The main theoretical approaches to defining the phenomenon of ruscism as
an ideological doctrine proposed by Ukrainian scientists are disclosed. Attention is
drawn to hatred, cruelty, and violence as integral components of the Russian
character, which, under Putin's authoritarianism, complementarily integrated into
ruscist theory and practice.
Emphasis is placed on the activities of the legislative body of Ukraine in
articulating the state position on ruscism. For this purpose, the Statement of the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dated May 2, 2023, is analyzed, which reveals the
essence of ruscism and indicates its characteristic features and consequences.
The post-Soviet period of the Russian Federation’s development (1991-
2024) is examined as a stage of purposeful restoration of military ideology. It is
proven that such restoration is an organic characteristic of the evolution of the
Russian political system (state), the essence of which contradicts the peaceful
conditions of socio-political development. The main provisions of the Russian
military doctrines of 1993, 2000, 2010, and 2014 are disclosed. The main points of
the development of basic doctrinal provisions implemented by the Russian
leadership are defined. These include: strengthening information-psychological
provocations by the Kremlin regarding the continuous escalation of challenges and
threats directed against Russia by Western states; attributing the post-Soviet
geopolitical space to the zone of Russia's national interests, the implementation of
which involves the use of military instruments; radical intensification of Kremlin's
attention to the military sphere, evidenced by the quantitative increase in Russian
Federation power structures, deployment of new military management bodies
(including the creation of new districts), and comprehensive provision of military
needs (human, material, financial, logistical); expansion of the areas of application
of Russian armed forces beyond national borders, allowing the territory of any
state, as well as ocean and sea areas, to be considered potential theaters of military
operations involving Russian armed forces; readiness for preemptive use of nuclear
weapons in case of threats to the existence of the Russian Federation. These and
other doctrinal provisions are aimed at restoring Russia's military-power potential,
which (as the Russian leadership is convinced) will allow it to restore its
geostrategic positions and become one of the "poles of power" in the multipolar
world.
The wars (military conflicts) during the rule of V. Putin have been
investigated. These include: the Second Russian-Chechen War of 1999-2009, the
Russian-Georgian War of 2008, the Russian-Ukrainian War initiated in 2014, the
Russian Federation military intervention in Syria in 2015, a series of military
conflicts on the African continent involving Russian armed forces and private
military companies (Sudan, Central African Republic, Libya, Burkina Faso, Niger,
and other states).
