“Z-philosophy” and war propaganda in contemporary Russia

This article seeks to clarify the phenomenon of the so-called “Z-philosophy”, which has emerged in Russia since 2022 against the backdrop of military propaganda justifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I define “Z-philosophy” as public statements that, in legitimizing Russian aggression, explicitly invoke philosophical heritage, employ philosophical arguments, or are produced by authors who identify themselves as philosophers. This broad understanding situated at the intersection of academic philosophy and propaganda has become possible due to the blurred boundaries between professional and nonprofessional philosophical discourse, as well as the particular role of Telegram and other social media in Russia’s contemporary public sphere. The article also surveys the main communities associated with this phenomenon and outlines the key patterns through which Russian philosophical heritage is being instrumentalized within it.