The Historical Roots of Russian Brutality and Putin's Ideological Driver. Professor Eugene Finkel explains that the pervasive cruelty in Russian forces stems from a historical willingness to use extreme violence, where human life is cheap, evident from St

The Historical Roots of Russian Brutality and Putin's Ideological Driver. Professor Eugene Finkel explains that the pervasive cruelty in Russian forces stems from a historical willingness to use extreme violence, where human life is cheap, evident from Stalin's cynical fears of losing Ukraine to modern conflicts. Russians are willing to make Ukraine a desert to secure control, employing methods consistent with their actions in Chechnya and Syria. In 2022, Putin, trapped in isolation with like-minded nationalists, believed Ukrainians would not fight back. His motivation was the fundamental belief that Ukraine is not a real state and must not defy Russia by choosing its own path. Guest: Professor Eugene Finkel.