Russian Narratives: The West as Aggressor and a Morally Corrupt World

A special miniseries from the podcast 4 Minutes reveals how the Russian Federation uses words as weapons. We focus on narratives – stories that reshape reality, divide society, and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Step by step, we explore how these narratives arise, why they work, and how to resist them. Each episode is about four minutes long and focuses on a specific story, claim, or method of manipulation. This series is for anyone seeking to understand not just propaganda, but how modern wars are fought – without bullets, using words. 

Transcript

Welcome to another episode of the mini-series Russian Narratives. Today, we will explore one of the most repeated and strategically important narratives of Russian propaganda – the image of the West as an aggressor that threatens not only Russia but the very core of traditional values. This rhetoric is not new, but in recent years it has gained strength, especially in the context of cultural shifts, migration policy, and human rights issues.

In Russian official communication, the West is portrayed as a civilization that has lost its moral roots. European and American societies are described as corrupt, degenerate, and internally broken. In contrast, Russia is cast as the last defender of true values – family, faith, nation, and tradition.

This “us” versus “them” dichotomy is a foundational element of the narrative. “We,” meaning Russia, are strong, pure, spiritual, and conservative. “They,” meaning the West, are weak, corrupted, godless, and decaying. This contrast is no accident – it is carefully maintained and systematically reinforced through media, public speeches, and the broader discourse.

One of the central points of attack is the status of the LGBTQ+ community. In Russian propaganda, homosexuality is frequently labeled as a “symptom of decline” and evidence of the West’s moral confusion. Laws against the “promotion of non-traditional values” in schools and public spaces are presented as child protection and defense of the family, not as discrimination.

Migration is likewise heavily politicized. Europe is depicted as a continent that has abandoned its identity, given way to mass immigration, and suffers from a loss of cultural cohesion. In this context, Russia is presented as a stable and homogeneous society that defends its borders and its values.

Propaganda also often highlights protests, unrest, and social division in Western cities – whether related to racial tension, police brutality, or climate demonstrations. All these are portrayed as proof that liberal democracy is falling apart, that freedom leads to chaos, and that a strong state is the only way to maintain order.

Western media are depicted as biased, manipulated, and ideologically driven. Journalists are portrayed as mouthpieces of elites pushing gender ideology, multiculturalism, and political correctness at the expense of truth and common sense. In contrast, Russian media present themselves as offering “the alternative view” – saying “what people really think.”

International versions of Russian media play a key role in this strategy by tailoring content to specific audiences. For example, in some languages, they focus on anti-immigration sentiment; in others, they target the European Union, vaccination, or LGBTQ rights. The goal is not necessarily persuasion – often it’s enough to create doubt, sow division, or undermine trust in democratic institutions.

This narrative is not only directed abroad. It also serves as a tool of domestic mobilization. If people can be convinced that the world around them is in moral decline, it becomes easier to accept authoritarian measures as necessary protection. Repression, censorship, and the restriction of rights are then framed not as attacks, but as defense.

Interestingly, Russian propaganda often adopts language that was once used by the West against the Soviet Union – today it is Russian voices speaking of “defending civilization,” “fighting decadence,” or “protecting a healthy society.” This rhetoric is familiar, effective, and resonates with those who feel uncertain or frustrated by rapid social change.

It’s not just about individual slogans. This entire narrative constructs a broader framework that shapes how people think about the world, about themselves, and about others. It creates clear roles – hero and villain, order and chaos, truth and lies – and offers a sense of clarity and security.

The problem is that this framework is deliberately oversimplified. It ignores nuance, omits context, and dismisses the complexity of diverse life experiences. And that is exactly where its strength lies – because even a falsehood, when told well, can seem more convincing than a complicated truth.

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Russian Narratives mini-series. In our next episode, we will focus on how Russian propaganda uses its celebrated history, especially the victory in the Second World War, to reinforce its national image. We'll discuss the cult of heroism, the Great Patriotic War, and how the past is used as a weapon in today's political struggle. We look forward to having you with us again on Friday.