Spezialoperation und Frieden

The anti-war positions in Russia and the role of the left in the protest movement

Since the start of the Russian armed forces' 'Special Military Operation' in Ukraine, thousands of people have taken part in anti-war protests in Russia. The government's harsh response led to thousands of arrests, communications cut-offs and entries in 'extremist registers', creating a climate of repression. Within the left scene in Russia, there has been a profound split over Ukraine since 2014. While the leadership of the Communist Party (CPRF) supported President Putin's course, many other left groups and activists joined the protest movement.

The book "Special Operation and Peace" is dedicated to the diversity of the Russian left's positions on the war, Russia's invasion policy, NATO involvement, the humanitarian crisis, and the issues of flight and sanctions. It presents the full range of opinions within the Russian left on these controversial issues.

The range of opinions represented in the book is broad and includes opposition members of the CPRF, supporters of social democracy and left socialism, smaller Stalinist and Trotskyist parties, anarchists, trade union activists and feminists, as well as university lecturers and authors from the diaspora.

The book contains a collection of original documents and interviews framed by introductory and analytical texts by the editor. These texts place the positions of the left forces in the context of society as a whole and thus offer a comprehensive insight into the situation of the left in Putin's Russia.

The aim of "Special Operation and Peace" is to shed light on the different perspectives and approaches of the Russian left regarding the war and other relevant issues. By showing the diversity of opinions, the book aims to contribute to a better understanding of the complex political landscape in Russia and to clarify the role of the left in the protest movement.

"Special Operation and Peace" provides an overview of the diverse anti-war positions in Russia and highlights the involvement of the left in the protest movement. Through the presentation of original documents and interviews, the book provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of the political situation in Russia and the role of the left in times of conflict and repression. It encourages people to engage with the different points of view and to initiate a broader discussion about peace and social change in Russia.

About the author:

Born in Moscow in 1982, Evgeniy Kasakov studied the cultural history of Eastern Europe, philosophy and history at the University of Bremen, where he successfully completed his PhD in 2017. He currently works as a research assistant at the German Emigration Centre Bremerhaven. His work has been published in various renowned publications, including konkret, Grundrisse, Phase 2, Prokla, Neues Deutschland, Jungle World, analyse & kritik, Zeitschrift für Politische Theorie and Blätter für deutsche und internationale Politik.