ABSTRACT
Since his first presidential inauguration on 7 May 2000, Vladimir Putin has consistently presented himself as the defender of the Russian motherland. Aping the propaganda of its Soviet predecessors, WWII is Putin’s signature founding myth of the Russian nation and a central part of his charismatic leadership. Much academic attention has been given to Putin’s political repurposing of Russia’s ‘Great Patriotic War’ against Nazism. But his propaganda restyling of Russia’s WWII battles against Japan on its eastern borders has been virtually ignored. This chapter analyses how and for what purposes Putin invokes memories of Russia’s war with Japan. The chapter also explores the various methods used by the Kremlin to sell their version of WWII in the East, including artistic exhibitions, presidential essays, parades, television shows and Russian military displays. Particular attention is given to the role of Russian-state media in disseminating this war-focused propaganda.
