Russia's war with Ukraine. Day 1257

Piotr Skwieciński's article in "Plus Minus" presents Zakhar Prilepin – a Russian writer, nationalist, and soldier who in recent years has become one of the faces of Russian imperialism. A renowned literary figure, Prilepin simultaneously supports the Kremlin's aggressive policies and was an active participant in the Donbas War, while also criticizing the West and Ukrainian statehood. Although his work has received awards, his ideological commitment and propaganda role have been controversial. Skwieciński portrays him as a symbol of a new breed of Russian nationalism, one that grew out of frustration with the collapse of empire and simultaneously seeks inspiration in war, violence, and national pride.

The author notes that Russian nationalists like Prilepin view the war as a spiritual cleansing and a tool for rebuilding identity, and Prilepin himself emerges as a literary prophet of the new imperialism. Although he survived an assassination attempt that killed his bodyguard, he did not withdraw from public life and continued to advocate the need for a "cleansing" and a radical rebirth of Russia.