From the GULAG to Ukraine: How Russia Systematically Destroys Its Own and Others
Self-Genocide: A Special Form of “Russian” Traditional Culture of Oppressing Colonial Peoples
“Russian” history and modernity are filled with examples of how the destruction of Moscow’s colonial peoples has become a systemic and almost cultural phenomenon. This phenomenon can be described as self-genocide—a unique form of national self-destruction, where genocide is not carried out by an external enemy but by the country's own government or the “multinational” society as a whole.
Historical Roots of Self-Destruction
From collectivization and mass starvation in the 1930s to the GULAG repressions, Russia has repeatedly demonstrated a tendency toward self-destruction through political purges, man-made famines, and deportations. It is important to note that each new government not only targeted its political opponents but also, just to be safe, eliminated anyone who could potentially become an opponent—meaning a significant portion of the common people from the colonies.
Collectivization: Millions of peasants, known as "kulaks," were exterminated or deported as “harmful elements” to the system, resulting in mass famine and millions of deaths.
Stalin’s Repressions: In 1937-1938, hundreds of thousands of people were executed on charges of "counter-revolutionary activity."
Holodomor: A punitive operation specifically targeting Ukraine for its attempt to regain independence in 1917.
Self-Genocide in Modern Russia
Today, self-genocide takes on different forms, but the principle remains unchanged. The Kremlin deliberately undermines its own society through the following mechanisms:
Wars and military mobilization. The Russian authorities send hundreds of thousands of young men to wars, most of whom never return home. The losses in the current war with Ukraine are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Economic suffocation. Corruption, sanctions, and disregard for basic citizens’ rights lead to economic degradation and a declining standard of living.
Repressions and censorship. Any dissent is harshly suppressed, and freedom of speech has become a rarity.
Why Is This Possible?
The main driver of self-genocide is total propaganda and years of indoctrination with the idea that poverty and suffering are part of the "great Russian destiny." The colonial peoples, raised on a culture of victimhood, willingly accept violence and deprivation, seeing it not as a tragedy but as a kind of obligation or duty.
Who Benefits from Self-Genocide?
The beneficiaries of this policy are a narrow circle of elites close to the Kremlin who control the nation’s resources and power. For them, self-genocide is a way to maintain control, suppress potential protests, and redistribute wealth in favor of the ruling elite.
How to Stop It?
The first step to stopping self-genocide is recognizing the problem and its scale. Without a critical view of its own history and modernity, the prisoners of the “Russia” concentration camp will continue on the path of self-destruction.
Self-genocide is not just a tragedy; it is a challenge for future generations of “Russians,” who must decide whether the peoples of the “Russia” concentration camp will remain hostages of their destructive history or finally break this vicious cycle to achieve freedom and independence.