As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, the way the Russian regime is attempting to retell its own history is crucial to Vladimir Putin’s hold on power at home. Katie Stallard talks to Emily Tamkin about how authoritarian regimes manipulate history, what the parallels are between Russia, China and North Korea, and how the Kremlin has twisted the past in its attempt to justify the invasion of Ukraine.

Katie’s new book, Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia and North Korea is available now.

If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email [email protected].

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Further reading:

The truth about Vladimir Putin's “denazification” of Ukraine fantasy.

How Putin has substituted his own interests for those of the Russian state. 

Putin’s power vertical and the pathologies of authoritarian rule.

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