Iulian DINULESCU
University of Craiova, Romania
| Abstract: | The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) is an ultra-nationalist and extremist organization that combines imperialist ideology with a rigid view of Russian Orthodoxy. The RIM’s distinctive feature is the use of religious symbolism to legitimize both its political goals and violent actions, including involvement in armed conflict and acts of terrorism. The group is known for providing paramilitary training to far-right extremists in Europe, contributing to violent attacks such as the Sweden bombings.
Although designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union, RIM continues to operate relatively freely in Russia, gaining influence through propaganda and recruitment activities. The movement advocates a vision of Russia as a pure Orthodox nation engaged in a sacred confrontation against what it perceives as decadent and demonic Western values. This article explores the dynamics between religion, nationalism, and political violence within RIM, showing how Orthodox symbolism is instrumentalized to support an extremist agenda. RIM is not only a political movement, but also an ideological force that combines religious radicalism with imperialist goals, generating significant global security risks through collaboration with other extremist groups and by disseminating its messages through social media. |
| Keywords: | Religion; symbolism; extremism; Russian imperial movement; ideology; terrorism |
| Contact details of the authors: |
E-mail: iuliandinulescu@gmail.com |
| Institutional affiliation of the authors: | Doctoral School of Orthodox Theology “Saint Nicodim”, University of Craiova, Romania |
| Institutions
address: |
Al. I. Cuza Street, 13, Craiova, 200585, phone: 0251 419 900; www.ucv.ro |