Briefing | A dark state

Vladimir Putin is in thrall to a distinctive brand of Russian fascism

That is why his country is such a threat to Ukraine, the West and his own people

A Russian honour guard marches on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. - Russia celebrates the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Editor’s note (October 1st): Yesterday Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts. He ended his speech with a quote from Ivan Ilyin, a 20th-century intellectual, an admirer of fascism and monarchy.

This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “A dark state”

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