The current Ukraine-Russia war is a tragic chapter in the history of two fiercely resilient nations. The Slavic peoples, particularly Ukrainians and Russians, with their intertwined histories, deserve recognition for their enduring contributions and remarkable place in world history. They are, without question, great warriors.

Many empires, such as those of Alexander the Great, Rome, the Ottomans, the Mongols, and the British, have risen and fallen. These empires were primarily conquerors, expanding their power through annexation. They rarely faced invasions by external forces, apart from occasional guerrilla conflicts with disgruntled outsiders, until they met their demise at the hands of another great empire—such as Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Persian Empire, or disappeared for other reasons, like the Mongols.

In stark contrast, the East Slavic peoples endured repeated invasions by powerful forces like the Kingdom of Sweden, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Mongols, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Cossacks, and the Tatars. Yet, they consistently rose again. These challenges forged a resilience that is deeply embedded in their history. Despite numerous incursions into the land of Kievan Rus by foreign armies, only the Mongols truly achieved their objectives. The other empires were either already in decline or engaged in conflicts with other powerful armies at the time.

Even within their own ranks, the East Slavic tribes clashed for dominance. Though Prince Rurik, a Scandinavian ruler, brought some stability during his lifetime, internal conflicts persisted under the Rurik dynasty after his death. Nevertheless, the East Slavs managed to unite against foreign invasions when necessary, demonstrating a shared resilience in the face of external threats.

The history of the Russian state is also marked by coups, revolutions, and the reign of tyrannical tsars. From the overthrow of rulers to the bloody Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the Russian people have experienced a constant reshaping of power. The rise of powerful tsars such as Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, and Catherine the Great marked periods of significant transformation, often through brutal measures. Tsars wielded absolute power, and their reigns were characterized by strict control, widespread oppression, and extensive wars of expansion.

The Revolution of 1917, followed by the rise of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin, further exemplifies the profound shifts in Russian leadership and political ideology. The violent overthrow of the Romanov dynasty marked the end of the imperial era, and the subsequent rise of the Soviet state led to radical changes in the nation’s structure and worldview. Stalin’s reign, marked by purges, labor camps, and widespread repression, left an indelible mark on the Russian psyche.

Despite these internal struggles and the often brutal nature of their leadership, Russia extended its influence across Europe and Asia, transforming into a global superpower. While I do not support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I can empathize with the deep historical pain some Russians may feel. The loss of ancestral territories, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the fading glory of their past must be profoundly disheartening. This may help explain the complexities of identity and the lingering pain tied to a past that shaped modern Russia.

This history of internal tribal conflicts, coups, revolutions, tyrannical rulers, and the eventual expansion of Russia under the Rurik dynasty shaped the Russian character and worldview. The repeated struggle for dominance, along with cultural, political, and ideological shifts, influenced Russia’s trajectory over the centuries. While this perspective does not justify current actions, it provides important insight into the historical complexities that continue to shape this tragic conflict.

By Luis de Andrade