Why do you hate Russians?

Question

Weren’t the Russians the ones who saved Europeans from Napoleon and then Hitler? Aren’t you sitting comfortably in your warm homes thanks to Russians? Netflix keeps filling its shows with LGBT characters, yet one thing never changes: Russians are always portrayed as the boogeyman. Even today, they are constantly made into a scapegoat

Tamera952 · Accepted Answer

There a lot to unpack there—and I’m unsure what LGBT characters in entertainment on Netflix have to do with people’s attitudes towards Russians. Also, napoleon was so long ago, that it doesn’t really factor in to anything relevant, and as far as Hitler—they certainly and undeniably couldn’t have defeated him without the Allies help, just saying.

The depiction of Russia as the "bogeyman" or the primary geopolitical antagonist to the West is a multifaceted issue rooted in history, power dynamics, and ideological competition. Most recently though, it certainly is shaped by their disastrous, illegal, and brutal aggression against the sovereign country of Ukraine.

1. Geopolitical Realism (The "Zero-Sum" Game)

Expansionism vs. NATO/EU: From the Western perspective, Russia’s actions in Georgia (2008) and Ukraine (2014, 2022) are viewed as attempts to forcibly redraw Cold War-era borders and reclaim a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.

The "Buffer State" Doctrine: Russia argues it is protecting its security interests against NATO encroachment. The clash between Russia's illogical perceived need for a "buffer zone" and the West’s commitment to the sovereignty of former Soviet-bloc nations creates a fundamental, irreconcilable friction.

2. Information Warfare and Democracy

Election Interference: Intelligence agencies in the U. S. and Europe have documented Russian efforts to influence Western democratic processes through disinformation campaigns, social media manipulation, and cyber-attacks (e. g., the 2016 U. S. election).

Destabilization Efforts: The West views Russia as a "disruptor" that seeks to polarize Western societies by funding fringe political movements, amplifying extremist content, and undermining trust in democratic institutions. They are seen as oppressive, brutish, and employ the most extreme examples political censorship, the aggressive propagation of domestic and international propaganda, and have all the negative effects that one would expect to have from an authoritarian regime.

3. Energy Dependency and Weaponization

The "Energy Weapon": For decades, Russia’s control over natural gas supplies to Europe was viewed as a tool of geopolitical coercion. Policies like Nord Stream were seen by critics as a way for Russia to create leverage over Western European economies, specifically Germany. Also manipulation in Transnistria, Orban’s Hungary, etc.

4. International Norms and Security

Defiance of the Rules-Based Order: The West defines itself by a "rules-based international order" (international law, sovereignty, human rights). Russia is frequently depicted as a rogue actor that flouts these norms—exemplified by allegations of political assassinations on foreign soil (e. g., the Skripal poisoning) and the use of mercenaries in Africa and the Middle East.

Cybercrime Havens: While the Russian government often denies direct links, the West frequently views Russia as a "sanctuary state" and it has been the source of the most documented cases of ransomware gangs and state-sponsored hackers who launch attacks against critical infrastructure, hospitals, and businesses, followed by North Korea.

5. Historical Continuity (The "New Cold War")

Institutional Memory: The existing security architecture of the West (NATO, intelligence-sharing alliances) was built to counter the Soviet Union. When tensions rose after 2014, these institutions naturally pivoted back to their original purpose.

Internal Political Utility: Critics of the "bogeyman" narrative argue that Western leaders sometimes use Russia as a convenient scapegoat to unify domestic populations or to justify increased defense spending and intelligence surveillance.

6. The Russian Counter-Narrative

"Encirclement": Russia explicitly frames the West as the aggressor. They point to the expansion of NATO since the 1990s—despite alleged verbal assurances to the contrary—as evidence of a Western plan to neutralize Russia as a global power.

Anti-Imperialist Framing: Russia often positions itself as the champion of a "multipolar world," arguing that the West is attempting to impose a Western-centric hegemony and "decadent" social values on the rest of the planet. Additionally, they often have a skewed, racist, bigoted, and an exaggerated view of themselves as a culture and their contributions to society.

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Whether Russia is viewed as a rational security actor responding to perceived threats or a predatory rogue state depends entirely on which side of the map you are standing on. The "bogeyman" narrative is fueled by a blend of genuine security threats, state-level provocations, and the domestic political needs of leaders on both sides to maintain internal solidarity.

emeraldsaphire · Accepted Answer

I don't hate Russians. And Russia didn't stop Hitler or Napoleon. If the US didn't supply the Soviets with everything they needed during the war. the USSR would have probably lost. Hitler also didn't want war with the UK or the US. He wanted to make a peace deal with the UK. Napoleon is completely un-comparable. He was a decent emperor for the French after the French Revolution mess. He also sold land to the US with the Louisiana purchase. So he wasn't a threat to my home at all.

My main gripe with Russia is the anti LGBT stance of many of it's people. They are old fashioned, and really need to modernize

Alexandrubaschet08 · Accepted Answer

You show how stupid and ignored you are in history.
Russia did not save Europe from Napoleon, Napoleon was the good character of history, not Russia and the UK at the beginning of the 19th century.
Napoleon was detested, because after the Roman Empire, France had become a republic in a Europe ruled by monarchs, so that the neighboring countries and the great powers were afraid that the ideas of the French revolution, from which Napoleon was also born, would not propagate in their countries. "LIBERTY-EQUALITY-FRATERNITY!"
If Napoleon wins, today's world was at least 100 years more advanced. The revolutions of 1848 throughout Europe and the unification of Italy, Germany, the democratization of the UK, the adoption of the Napoleonic code willingly and unforced by anyone in most European countries decades after his death, reinforce this fact.

Regarding Hitler, RUSSIA/USSR between 1939 and 1941 was allied with the Nazis!
The Russians did not free and save anyone, they violated, occupied, stole and destroyed every country they entered.
Even those where they were welcomed with open arms, such as Czecho-Slovakia, a country completely occupied by the Nazis from 1938 until 1945!
The USSR is guilty of crimes against humanity, the falsification of elections in the occupied countries after the defeat of Nazi Germany!

In the Second World War, both pure Nazi Germany and the USSR had to die, and the UK and the USA were the only victors!

The USSR was also today's Russia, a criminal empire that came to earth from the bowels of hell!

Molotov meet Hitler (foraging minister of USSR, visit Hitler after he sign the pact in Moscow)

Rudolf Hess (left) greeted Russian Premier Vyacheslav Molotov in Berlin on Nov. 12, 1940.

KostasKouvalis · Accepted Answer

I'm Polish AND American, so I'm supposed to, because of historic and political stuff, but I DON'T. I just hate Russian TOURISTS, because they're so arrogant and entitled and only care about themselves. Although I met some that are okay. But the Russian immigrants we have in MY area, most of them aren't very nice. I hear the ones in Russia are nicer. But I always liked Russian culture, and I talked to a few Russian girls online, but they have a different attitude/mindset. Just talking to them or visiting their country is fine, but I can't see myself being friends or in a relationship with one, or ever living there. As long as they're not assholes, they don't bother me.

FreyaRed · Answer

We had 19 wars in last 1000 years with Russia this makes in average a war all 58 years.
It's better to keep anti tank mines and anti tank obstacles on the border to such "peace" loving nation. In terms of "war is peace, freedom is slavery and Ignorance is strength" never trust those vodka guzzling, butt pirates.

is this hatred? No, just disgust

lightbulb27 · Answer

I don't.

We have to have an adversary in our adversarial competition and they were chosen. After them will be China.

To be fair, I've not met a russian or had much time with them. I do like the Ukranians I've met, but they don't associate to russia.

I like russians are traditional oriented.

OneViewpoint · Answer

I don't hate Russians. I'm not so fond of the way Russians have been subjected to one oppressive government after another for hundreds of years but the government is not the people. One on one in a social situation, Russians are a blast to hang out with. Not surprisingly a lot of them have a really dry sense of humor and a pragmatic outlook on the world. Like me.

goaded · Answer

Come off it, Putin's not despised because Russia fought against the Nazis in the 1940's, or Napoleon in the early 19th century, he's despised because he invaded a country that was no threat to Russia, and his military committed war crimes including rape and stealing children.

strateguy632 · Answer

i only opposed putin!

about hitler. very wrong. russian helped hitler STEAL poland. later russian STOLE and subjugated the soviet bloc! for forty years! NOT the good guys. we yankees u. s. SAVED brits and france from hitler.

msc545 · Answer

I don't hate Russians at all. I have several Russian friends who are really great people, and I am grateful to the Russians for helping to stop Hitler in the way that they did. That took a lot of courage. Also, I should add, I think Russian women, for the most part, are beautiful.

Agape93 · Answer

My boyfriend/best friend is Russian. His parents are Russian. I fucking love em. What I hate, are tyrants and sex offenders. Long as you're neither, I won't have a problem

RavVid · Answer

Well if are always invading countries, then other folk won't take kindly to you. When you say Russian, most people in the Russian Federation aren't Russian. Refer to para #1.

lilBigPotato · Answer

I don't hate Russians. But I do have an issue with the current Russian government. 2 separate things.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

We don't hate the Russians. We hate Putin and his Hitleresque invasion and war in Ukraine.

Calyptomaniac · Answer

I took Russian in college and I don't hate Russians?

DonaldDarko · Answer

I'm not part of that crowd. Most MAGA Americans feel like I do. Slava Rossii! Da zdravstvuyet Putin!

Dargil · Answer

No reason to hate the Russian people. Just Communist ideology.

Cidknee · Answer

I don't hate Russians. They're brothers but without the help of the United States you'd be speaking German.

loveslongnails · Answer

I don't hate Russians, I hate Putin. I very much like Russian women !!

Godihateyou · Answer

I love Russians. The homosexuality is way out of control with them though. Bunch of cock hungry faqqqotts.

Turkish-Incel-31 · Answer

Panslavism destroyed my empire.

AngryCarl3 · Answer

I like sexy Russian ladies.

genericname85 · Answer

i don't hate russians.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

I never hate russians, i like the ruskies hehe

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