Russian media claims West spreads Satanism to boost propaganda
Russian media are once again attacking the West, this time accusing it of spreading satanism. However, experts on the region suggest this is another propaganda tactic by Putin to solidify his power and appeal to the ingrained hostility towards the West within Russian society.
What do you need to know?
- Russian media accuse the West of spreading satanism, claiming it threatens Russia's national security. This accusation follows a debate initiated by Russian deputies and clergymen.
- Experts identify this as another propaganda storm, intended to bolster Putin's authority and distract the public from domestic issues.
- Russia has a long history of opposing "Western ideologies", a sentiment that is deeply embedded in the Russian mindset and history.
What are the goals of Russian propaganda?
In response to discussions on satanism, Russian media accuse the West of promoting harmful ideologies.
According to Piotr Żochowski from the Center for Eastern Studies in Warsaw, this is the latest move in Russia's battle for public opinion. "The government aims to uphold ideological purity," Żochowski assessed. The Russian authorities use satanism as a propaganda tool to strengthen their control and draw attention away from internal challenges.
Why does Russia reject western ideologies?
Piotr Gursztyn, a historian, highlights that confrontation with the West is an entrenched aspect of Russian mentality. He noted, "Kremlin propagandists easily find examples of problematic phenomena in the West because our world is experiencing an axiological, ethical crisis today—this is a fact, not an opinion."
"Confrontation with the West is ingrained in Russian mentality," commented Gursztyn. Russia's historical resistance to Western influence is rooted in a sense of alienation from the outside world. Modern Kremlin propaganda taps into this tradition, depicting the West as a threat to "Holy Russia."
Russian deputies and Orthodox clergymen are actively involved in discussions about Western threats. A debate in the State Duma on Tuesday, attended by Bishop Pitrim, was a recent example of such participation. Nikolai Burlayev, who presided over the meeting, remarked that the Russian President had made it clear that Russia’s current struggle is directed against what he described as global satanism.
