An Unusual Battlefield Between Russia and Norway: The Practice Has Been Ongoing for 15 Years
Russia is using World War II memorial sites as a tool of influence, according to the latest research. These influences are visible in Northern Norway. The actions aim to weaken support for Western sanctions against Russia.
In the photo: Russian Consul General in Kirkenes Nikolay Konygin speaks in front of the Liberation Monument during the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Finnmark in 2024.
Fot. Jørn Berger Nyvoll/UiT
Russia is pursuing a targeted policy towards Norway, focusing mainly on the eastern part of the Finnmark region. In the past two years, Russians have organized so-called 'seas of flowers' at the Liberation Monument in Kirkenes at the end of October.
These are interpreted as a form of hybrid provocation. Such actions are deliberate and have been systematically carried out since around 2010. Since 2014, Russian policy in this area has been specified towards undermining support for Western sanctions.
These are interpreted as a form of hybrid provocation. Such actions are deliberate and have been systematically carried out since around 2010. Since 2014, Russian policy in this area has been specified towards undermining support for Western sanctions.
Norway Explains How Russia Uses History
The upcoming seminar 'The Politics of World War II Memories in the North: Russia and Norway' is being organized in response to growing interest in how World War II memory affects contemporary relations between Norway and Russia. The event aims to show how historical narratives are used in politics and international communication.
On November 4, the results of the project Memory Politics of the North 1993–2023 (NORMEMO), led by UiT, will be presented. Participants will also hear a lecture by Dr. Jade McGlynn from King’s College London, who will explain the mechanisms of using war memory as an element of Russia’s information warfare. The seminar aims to illustrate how history becomes part of contemporary geopolitical strategy in Northern Europe.
On November 4, the results of the project Memory Politics of the North 1993–2023 (NORMEMO), led by UiT, will be presented. Participants will also hear a lecture by Dr. Jade McGlynn from King’s College London, who will explain the mechanisms of using war memory as an element of Russia’s information warfare. The seminar aims to illustrate how history becomes part of contemporary geopolitical strategy in Northern Europe.
In Pyramiden (Svalbard), there is still, among other things, a statue of Lenin.Photo: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Is Russia Undermining Western Friendship?
The intersection of war memory and geopolitics is particularly visible in the Arctic and northern Norway. According to the authors, Russia uses local symbols of liberation and war victims to create narratives that undermine Western alliances.
It is noted that the strategy includes both public ceremonies and symbolic actions. The effects of these practices are not only cultural but also political and strategic for the region.
It is noted that the strategy includes both public ceremonies and symbolic actions. The effects of these practices are not only cultural but also political and strategic for the region.
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