Jesse Yevdaev

The Bogatyr were considered the supermen of Slavic myth. However, when looking at modern soldiers fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, there is much lost from the nobility of past warriors. From mass destruction to soldiers falling daily, the grandness of war has casually become an ill- fated battlefield, now a faded image of what was once virtuous.

The impact of the radiation in Chernobyl still impacts its environment today. Specifically, it has been observed that there is an increase in forest fires nearby correlated to the radiation. In Slavic myth, the Leshy is portrayed as an elderly and whimsy forest-man who lives within the trees, which are now at risk of burning away. The corruption of the forests and their inhabitants are to be seen as a lesson to not risk anymore of it.

Baba Yaga, the famed witch of Slavic myth, has close ties to Vasilisa the Wise, who searches for insight from her elderly superior. Both intelligent and powerful women are ignored as reality depicts a small number of female figures in significant occupational positions. President Putin has made his statements, regarding women in a traditional manner and finding them associated to the household instead.

The Firebird is recognized as an immensely powerful being, providing luck for those who treat it kindly and doom for those who hurt it. This subject is implemented into the topic of Russia as a primary producer for animal fur in the fashion industry. As animals are harmed for superficial purposes, the divinity of certain wildlife is stripped, and the death of them looms within their attire.

Koschei the Deathless is stated as an immortal being, fearing nothing but death. He hides part of his soul buried deep under an oak tree, gaining immortality. In similar fashion, President Vladimir Putin, age 72, has drafted a constitutional amendment which allows his presidency to go on until 2036. He has already been in this seat in 1999, moved to prime minister from 2008 to 2012, then once again is president now.

Oppression against the LGBTQ+ community in Slavic countries are rampant, carrying various levels of hate crimes and laws antagonizing their freedom and existence. In myth, the transformation into a two-hearted Upiór is due to a person cursed by nature and/or their tragic death. Feeling cursed by their being in relation to their surroundings, the Slavic queer community lives on in fearful silence.

The Likho is a creature of misfortune, a one-eyed being at one’s neck as they bring upon evil.The darkness of war has shown to follow soldiers coming back to Russia. Crime rates have seenan increase in 2023 particular to the veterans return, leading a trail of their war-caused terror intotheir homes.

Rusalki are women within the waters, typically unfriendly to mankind and tied to drownings. As they represent the dangers of water, the myth is familiar to the defeat of the Russian navy by Ukraine, who lacks in that military area. The sea is seen, in this event, as an especially dangerous place no matter the disadvantages.

The invasion of Russia has evidently increased poverty within Ukraine in the past few years. Seeing as housing is at risk to this event, families struggle to savour their homes; their history. Domovoi are recognized as elderly domestic creatures, in representation of the ancestors of these threatened homes.

A Familiar Tale