Popov M.Yu., Martynenko V.V., Martynenko S.V., Karepova S.G. Historical memory as tool of political manipulation of mass consciousness in the civilizational confrontation between Russia and the Collective West. Humanities, social economic and social sciences. 2026. No. 5. Pp. 75-85.

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://online-science.ru/catalogs/popov-m-yu-martynenko-v-v-martynenko-s-v-karepova-s/ (дата обращения 03.08.2026)

Abstract

The article focuses on the importance of studying and actualizing historical memory in the context of considering it as a basis for cultural and historical justice and the preservation of national security. It is noted that this phenomenon, being instrumental in nature, is always used in political manipulations and in the civilizational confrontation between Russia and the collective West. The issue is examined in the context of the decisive role played by the USSR in defeating Nazi Germany and militaristic Japan in World War II. Against the backdrop of Russia's resurgence as a great power and one of the leaders in the movement towards a new world order based on polycentrism, the authors highlight the aggressive opposition to this process by the collective West, which involves distorting historical truth in the interpretation of significant events in the history of World War II. As a result of the conducted research, it was also revealed that not only the falsification of the history of World War II by Western ideologues is a direction of deforming influence on the mass consciousness of compatriots, but also the attempts of the USSR leadership to conceal the equally tragic events of Soviet history, which still have a negative impact on modern Russian society. This includes the mythologization of the Soviet period of Russian history. This has led to the need to uncover the historical truth in the context of events and historical distortions that occurred in the Soviet Union and in the works of so-called «independent researchers» funded by Western foundations, whose activities in the 1990s and early 2000s caused significant damage to Russian statehood and the key social institution of education. The relevance of this research topic for society is evident.