For many observers around the world, Russia continues to present a complex puzzle. Beyond the familiar clichés about its vast Siberian landscape and unique cultural contradictions, the urgent need to understand the nation's history has become paramount in global geopolitics. The reason is clear: much of Russia's current reality is a direct echo of its past.
The Enduring Shadow of History on the Kremlin
Analysts argue that the legacies of the Soviet era and earlier imperial periods are not mere historical footnotes. They actively live on within the walls of the Kremlin in Moscow. These deep-seated historical memories fundamentally colour the country's sense of self, its perception of its role in the world, and the strategic foreign policy choices it makes. This persistent historical influence shapes Russia's position in the contemporary global order, often creating tensions with Western nations.
Russkiy Mir and the Soviet Ghost
A key concept in understanding modern Russia is 'Russkiy Mir' or 'Russian World'. This ideology, promoted under President Vladimir Putin, extends beyond Russia's current borders. It asserts a sphere of influence and cultural unity encompassing ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in neighbouring states and beyond. This idea did not emerge in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with the ghost of the Soviet elite's vision and the historical trauma of losing an empire.
The sense of loss following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 left a profound mark on the Russian political psyche, particularly among the security and political classes. The current leadership, including figures like Putin who served in the Soviet KGB, often views the post-Soviet space through a lens of historical entitlement and strategic necessity. Their foreign policy moves, especially in regions like Ukraine and the Caucasus, can be interpreted as attempts to reclaim a semblance of that lost influence and to consolidate the 'Russian World'.
Decoding the Past to Understand the Present
As noted by commentator Ivan U Klyszcz in a December 2025 analysis, unraveling this historical thread is not an academic exercise but a geopolitical imperative. The past informs the Kremlin's narrative of being a besieged fortress, a great power that must resist external pressure and defend its civilisational distinctiveness. This worldview justifies actions that may seem aggressive or expansionist to the West but are framed as defensive and historically justified from Moscow's perspective.
For a country like India, with its own complex history and multi-vector foreign policy, understanding these Russian motivations is crucial. It provides context for Moscow's partnerships, its tensions with NATO, and its vision for a multipolar world where it retains a dominant regional role. The echoes of the Soviet elite's ambitions and methods are evident in the centralised control of politics, the state's grip on strategic industries, and the use of historical narrative as a tool for domestic unity and international projection.
In conclusion, Russia remains less of a mystery when its present-day actions are viewed as part of a long historical continuum. The concepts of 'Russkiy Mir' and the unlaid ghost of the Soviet Union are powerful forces driving the Kremlin under Vladimir Putin. They shape a foreign policy that seeks to redraw the post-Cold War settlement and secure Russia's place as an indispensable global power, proving that history is very much alive in determining the future of international relations.
