This article first published by the George Washington University's Russia Program focuses on Roman Silantyev, an academic public expert on Islam commissioned by the prosecution in the notorious case of theater director Yevgeniya Berkovich and playright Svetlana Petriichuk. Due to this case, the general public learned about the pseudo-science of “destructology” created by Silantyev, an important figure in the “political wing” of the Russian Orthodox Church who interacts frequently with state repression and propaganda apparatus.
Based on data collected by the SOVA Research Center, researcher Natalia Yudina looks at radical nationalism in Russia in recent years, in particular how it has been affected by anti-migrant policies and official rhetoric, the war in Ukraine and the recent terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.
