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How Ethnic Tensions Are Brewing a Civil War in Russia

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Photo by Pavel Neznanov on Unsplash

As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Russia confronts a burgeoning internal crisis that could reshape its geopolitical landscape. Despite official narratives of unity, underlying ethnic tensions are threatening to boil over, driven by the disproportionate use of minority groups in the military.

Russia’s reliance on minority populations as frontline soldiers has exacerbated existing ethnic divides. These groups, often marginalized, are now bearing the brunt of the conflict, leading to growing resentment and unrest within the nation. This demographic imbalance poses a significant threat to Russia’s internal stability and raises questions about the sustainability of its military strategies.

President Putin has long projected an image of a homogenous and united Russia. However, experts like Pyotr Kurzin, a noted analyst in international relations, suggest this portrayal is more about maintaining legitimacy than reflecting reality. The pressure to sustain this facade intensifies as domestic challenges mount. This discrepancy between image and reality could undermine public trust and further fuel dissent.

The internal discord could have profound implications for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. As ethnic tensions rise, the risk of domestic conflict increases, potentially diverting resources and attention away from…

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Astra Politics by Antonio De Santis
Astra Politics by Antonio De Santis

Written by Astra Politics by Antonio De Santis

Globetrotting PPE student by day, international relations aficionado by night. That’s the gist of me in a nutshell

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