The decision to supply American- and German-made tanks to bolster Ukraine’s armed forces has brought renewed attention to the T-34 myth. And not just in Russia: T-34s can be found in the major Great Patriotic War memorials in Kyiv, Mariupol and elsewhere in Ukraine. War memorials that dot the Russian countryside often include T-34s. One part of the myth of victory that Putin has tapped into involves tanks, specifically the T-34 tank. World War II movies are a prominent part of this cinematic assault, offering narratives that dovetail with Putin’s speeches invoking the victory over Nazi Germany. Movies have been particularly important in this new agenda: during the last decade dozens of films aimed to promote Russia’s history, culture, and values have saturated Russian screens. The Russian Ministry of Culture has outlined patriotic programs for all spheres of cultural life. The Kremlin has harnessed culture to make it serve the interests of the state. What may not be well known is how the culture of the Putin era produced in Russia has changed over the last ten years. Putin has called on Russian citizens to remember “the sacrifices our people had to make to defeat Nazism”. He justified the invasion of Ukraine by claiming Russia is “liberating” the territory from “neo-Nazis” and “far-right nationalists”. It’s no secret that Vladimir Putin is obsessed with World War II. Two films about tanks highlight how Vladimir Putin and his cronies rule Russian culture with an iron fist.īy Stephen M. : Victoria_Watercolor/Pixabay Pixabay Licence Vladimir Putin has left his mark on Russian culture over the past 10 years.

Battle of tanks t 34 movie