S9 Ep50: Pagan Extremism, Warrior Myths, and the Culture Wars of Russia and Ukraine with Ross Downing

Chris speaks with researcher and author Ross Downing about his
book Germanic and Slavic Paganism: Security Threats and
Resiliency. Ross, who works with a network of scholars and
specialists focused on minority religions and extremism, explores
how modern pagan traditions, particularly those rooted in
Germanic and Slavic identity, are increasingly weaponized by
extremist movements on both sides of the Ukraine War. From the
myth of the warrior ideal to the role of neo-paganism in Russian
special forces and the Azov movement, Ross unpacks the
ideological messiness, spiritual camouflage, and social
vulnerabilities that make these belief systems ripe for
radicalization. They also discuss the “folkish vs. inclusive”
divide, the algorithm’s role in spreading conspiratorial
spirituality, and why mainstream institutions need to step up—not
just to contain extremism, but to support resilient, non-violent
expressions of cultural identity.

Find Ross’s book:
https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/germanic-and-slavic-paganisms-9781350423916/


Watch on YouTube to see Ross talk about Pagan symbols used by
Russian and Ukrainian forces: https://youtu.be/IMJ3OH3czMA

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Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence,
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