Why Do Russians See Themselves as Victims? Historian Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova Explains “Imperial Innocence”

Many Russians, even among those who oppose Russia’s war against Ukraine, still hesitate to take responsibility, blaming the invasion on NATO provocation or conspiracy theories about US meddling and a coup. Experts say that this is because the “victim” mentality persists in Russian society today. But why is that? Our reporter Yev Kopiika interviews Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova, an Assistant Professor in Modern History at the University of Basel.