Chauvinistic attitudes toward other nationalities are a widespread practice in Russia - COMMENTARY

“Chauvinism, discrimination, racial prejudice, and xenophobia against other nationalities have been widespread practices throughout Russia’s history. These attitudes are used as tools to preserve the national spirit within the country,” said Yegana Hajiyeva, a member of the Board of the Press Council, in an interview with 1new.media

She noted that Russia actively supports extremist right-wing, nationalist, and religious groups that promote racism, xenophobia, and neo-Nazism across social, political, and cultural spheres. “The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs established a special unit for combating ethnic crimes in 2010, following the murder of a neo-fascist youth who was a supporter of the Spartak football club. This unit made extensive use of members of radical and neo-fascist youth organizations,” Hajiyeva said.

According to the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, there are approximately 50,000 skinheads in Russia, compared to no more than 70,000 globally, including in the U.S. and Europe.

"In 2023, 124 attacks by nationalist radicals against non-Russians were recorded in Russia, three of which resulted in fatalities. The year before, 259 such attacks were reported. Moreover, more than 30 current State Duma deputies were actively involved in radical and extremist youth organizations between 2000 and 2010, serving as members, functionaries, or organizers. Numerous government officials also have ties to these groups from the same period."

Hajiyeva emphasized that the xenophobic rhetoric promoted by Russia’s State Duma, government officials, and state-controlled media, combined with the militaristic bias prevalent in society, influences not only Russia but also the political dynamics of post-Soviet countries.

“The organized repressions against our compatriots in Yekaterinburg are a clear example of this systematic problem,” she added.