The Last European Colonial Empire

Russia’s imperial legacy has long remained at the margins of colonial scholarship. While the British, French, and Spanish empires have been extensively scrutinized, the expansionist history of the Russian state, under tsarist, Soviet, and post-Soviet regimes, has received significantly less attention. This report seeks to redress that imbalance. It argues that Russia has historically functioned, and continues to function, as a colonial power, an assertion often neglected in academic discourse and political analysis alike.

The trajectory of Russian imperialism, from territorial conquests in Siberia and Central Asia to the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, reveals patterns consistent with broader European colonial practices. Yet, for decades, narratives have portrayed Russia’s expansion as distinct: a regional, defensive, or even civilizational enterprise rather than one of imperial domination. Such framings are increasingly untenable in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its suppression of internal republics, and its ideological denial of free nations’ sovereignty.

The consequences of this omission are profound. Misrecognizing Russian imperialism distorts not only the past but also the terms on which present conflicts are understood. As this report demonstrates, contemporary Russian policies are not isolated deviations but continuations of a long-standing imperial logic, sustained by ideas of messianism and exceptionalism from the 16th century to present day.

By situating Russia within the broader framework of colonialism, this report contributes to current scholarly efforts to revisit and revise inherited narratives. It also challenges the conceptual boundaries of colonialism itself, particularly the assumption that it requires overseas expansion. In doing so, the report opens space for a more accurate understanding of Russia’s past and ongoing imperialist ambitions.