this post was submitted on 04 Dec 2025
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To Russians, 'Nazi' is not a political ideology or a party, it's simply "Whoever is against Russia right now". Are you against Russia? You're a Nazi, it's as simple as that. If they had to contend with the idea that Nazism is a political ideology, they'd have to start calling themselves Nazis, which doesn't work in the Russian psyche.
So, when Russians say that Ukrainians are Nazis, what they really mean is "Ukrainians are fighting back when we kill their children. That makes them enemies and therefore Nazis"
It also doesn't help that there is an... Interesting... Relationship between Ukrainian nationalism and Naziism. A lot of Ukrainian national heroes who are fondly remembered for fighting for Ukrainian independence against the Soviets did so by aligning with the Nazis in World War 2, and many of them were explicitly fascist and anti-semitic. It's a deeply uncomfortable fact that there is a decent amount of overlap between Ukrainian nationalism and Naziism. Not everyone fighting for Ukraine is a Nazi, but all the Ukrainian Nazis are fighting for Ukraine. To make matters worse, Ukraine isn't really in a position to turn these guys down when they offer to fight for them and provide support because they're desperate, and it's politically difficult because they're pretty popular.
Of course, not to let Russia off the hook there are a lot of fascist antisemites on their side too. I mean their big mercenary group was literally called the Wagner Group which is pretty fucking sus. I just think that a lot of times we fall into "Russia Bad, therefore Ukraine Good" when the real story is more complicated. In a vacuum, I wouldn't say Ukraine would be a good country to align with, but western powers kind of have to if they want to check Russian expansion in Europe.
Yes. The current modern neo-nazis behave similarly: they claim only the others (the ones they don't like) are Nazis and their own kind just want the "freedom" to say and do what they like, e.g. get rid of people of color, or political opponents after that. They also frequently claim they're the victims themselves (e.g. claims of "white genocide* => whites "need to fight back")). But they would never call themselves Nazis even though they are doing Nazi things regularly. Fascists twist and redefine words and meanings to serve their own agenda.
Small correction: They go after political opponents, then minorities. Can't have organizations that can protect the minorities when you put them in camps.
That makes a lot of sense, thanks.
It's more like what Russian government wants than actual reality.