Vyacheslav Nikonov, a member of Putin’s political party, described Russia as “the embodiment of the forces of good.”
A Russian lawmaker appearing on a television program described Moscow’s internationally condemned invasion of Ukraine as a “holy war,” contending that it was a struggle between “good and evil.” Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale assault on Ukraine on February 24, with the vast majority of United Nations General Assembly members formally condemning the unprovoked attack just days later. Only four nations—Syria, Belarus, North Korea and Eritrea—joined Russia in voting against the landmark resolution. In recent weeks, Russia has faced growing accusations of “war crimes” and “genocide” as international journalists and Ukrainian officials have documented atrocities. Civilians have reportedly been shot in the back of the head with their hands tied behind their backs, as Ukrainians have discovered mass graves with hundreds of bodies in areas previously occupied by Russian troops for several weeks. There have additionally been growing reports of rape as well as indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian cities. None of those reports deter State Duma Deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov’s support for Russia’s aggression against its Eastern European neighbor, judging by his remarks on Russian television.
