Russia has called for the preservation of what it describes as an accurate and evidence-based account of the Second World War, warning against attempts to distort its historical record.
The position was outlined in Abuja by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, Andrey Podelyshev, during a press briefing marking the 81st anniversary of the “Great Patriotic War,” which Russia uses to describe its experience of World War II and the genocide of the Soviet people.
He stressed that the history of the war should be grounded in verified archival materials and factual documentation rather than interpretations influenced by political considerations or revisionist narratives.
The envoy cautioned that efforts to reinterpret the outcome of the war could undermine the foundations of the modern international system, which he linked to the post-war agreements and the principles established after the Nuremberg trials.
He cited Russia’s continued opposition to what he described as historical distortion, pointing to a recent United Nations General Assembly resolution aimed at countering the glorification of Nazism and neo-Nazism adopted in December 2025.
According to him, the legacy of World War II is central to the current global order, noting that the defeat of Nazism contributed to the formation of the United Nations and the establishment of principles such as sovereign equality among states and the prohibition of crimes against humanity.
Podelyshev also acknowledged countries, including Nigeria, that supported the resolution, describing their backing as part of efforts to uphold shared historical interpretations of the war.
He reiterated Russia’s position that atrocities committed during the 1941–1945 conflict in the territory of the former Soviet Union should be recognised as genocide against the Soviet people, based on archival evidence and international legal standards.
He maintained that this recognition is intended to ensure historical accountability and honour the memory of civilians who died during the conflict.
The ambassador said the effort to preserve historical memory is not directed against any nation or people but is aimed at preventing the spread of ideologies linked to hatred and racial superiority.
He added that Russia would continue to defend its interpretation of historical events in international forums, seeking broader consensus on the assessment of wartime crimes.
Podelyshev further argued that safeguarding the memory of World War II is essential for maintaining global stability, stating that how history is interpreted today will influence the security of future generations.
He also referenced Russia’s ongoing military involvement in Ukraine, linking it to broader geopolitical and security tensions that, according to him, predate 2022.