How Putin Tapped a Well of Ethnic Hatred in Russia

"Ultra nationalist" ideas have always been mainstream among a strong majority of russians. The framing might have been a bit more subtle, but end the result (and desires) has always been the same.

Until russians are forced to confront their deep rooted genocidal imperialism, they will not change.

The "russians are all innocent and afraid" rhetoric is not doing them any favours.

I find it strange how racist and ultra-nationalists ideas have taken root in Russia when its predecessor (USSR) defeated the Nazis and prided itself in its ethnic diversity. Compare that to the US where its long history of racism since the beginning has allowed the formation of racial and ethnic tensions.