A year after the invasion in Ukraine: history as a weapon

marks the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Historians Harm Kaal and Jelle van Lottum are presenting a 180-page edition of the Journal of Applied History devoted in its entirety to the Russio-Ukrainian war and how history is being used as a weapon in this conflict. "We hope this will provide insight into how we can counteract distortion and abuse of the past." A few days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a 75-minute speech covering pretty much all of Russian history : from the Napoleonic Wars, through the October Revolution, World War II and Stalin, to the collapse of the Soviet Union. This speech is characteristic of recent Russian foreign policy, in which history is playing an increasingly important role. "Putin is using the past to create a narrative of Russian greatness," explains historian Jelle van Lottum. "Historical claims, carefully fabricated myths and other distortions of the past have been central to the run-up to the current war and its legitimisation. Historical arguments are being used as a weapon in this conflict." - History in Russian politics .