Mira Ruokolainen1; 1 University of Helsinki, Finland
Discussion
Russia has framed and justified its war against Ukraine through a counter-terrorism discourse. This paper approaches the question of how repressive managing of “Islamic factors” has been accompanied by framing of Ukrainians in Russian counter-terrorism during the war. By adopting a framework that takes close attention to continuities of colonial rationale and social order regarding territory and population, the analysis assesses the extent to which there has been a shift in focus in Russia's counter-terrorism strategy, and how it is reflected in Russian security policy discussion and strategic documents regarding countering terrorism.
The study examines how targeted populations are categorized in order to fit into the frame and justification for Russia’s use of force. Considering an approach that is informed by continuities in aims of extending influence over different population groups, Russian counter-terrorism functions not only point to persistence of colonial logic in contemporary statecraft, but calls for attention to the role of strategic deception in Russia’s continuing state of affairs.
