Alexander Dugin is a Russian far-right political philosopher and strategist known for his ultra-nationalist and neo-fascist ideologies who has “repeatedly praised representatives of German Nazism and its allies”. He has been influential in shaping Russian geopolitical strategies and has been described as “Putin’s brain” due to his close alignment with Kremlin policies. Dugin’s writings often promote anti-Western sentiments and advocate for a “multipolar world” in which Russia is dominant.
In a recent article posted to RT.com titled “Ukrainians are the collective transgenders of globalism”, Dugin exploits anti-LGBTQ hate narratives in efforts to undermine Ukrainian identity and sovereignty, stating for example that: “a male transgender does not become a woman. He becomes a freak. So does a Russian who imagines himself to be a Ukrainian.”
Claim: Dugin claims that Ukrainians embody the “collective transgender” of globalism, repurposing an anti-LGBTQ hate narrative to suggesting that Ukrainian national identity is artificial and imposed by Western ideologies.
Facts:
Dugin equates Ukrainian national identity with transgender identity, implying both are unnatural constructs forced upon individuals by external forces. Ukrainian national identity has deep historical roots, with a distinct language, culture, and history dating back centuries. The comparison to transgender identity is a false analogy intended to delegitimize Ukraine’s sovereignty and promote transphobic sentiments.
Claim: Dugin claims that the Ukrainian people are sub-human and that only Russian people are “human” who “are not fighting against Ukrainians, but for them. So that they remain people, that is, Russian people.”
Facts:
Ukrainian national identity has deep historical roots, with a distinct language, culture, and history dating back centuries. Suggesting that that the Ukrainian people are sub-human as Ukrainians, is intended to dehumanize Ukrainians and incite hate towards them.
Claim: Transgender identity is used as a metaphor for the loss of national identity, suggesting that embracing such identities leads to societal decay.
Facts:
Dugin uses transgender identity as a symbol of what he perceives as the West’s moral decline, linking it to the erosion of national and cultural identities.
This perspective is rooted in prejudice and ignores the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. It also falsely associates gender identity with national identity, conflating two unrelated concepts to promote a narrative of cultural threat.
Narrative Context:
Dugin’s article serves as a piece of ideological propaganda that intertwines Russian nationalism, anti-Western sentiment, and transphobia. By framing Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty as part of a broader metaphysical battle against Western-imposed identities, Dugin seeks to justify Russia’s aggression and delegitimize Ukrainian autonomy and dehumanize the Ukrainian people. The use of transgender identity as a metaphor for national identity loss is a deliberate tactic to evoke fear and moral panic within the extremist far-right, reinforcing traditionalist narratives and justifying authoritarian measures.
