Latvian military officer mocks Russian propaganda mindset as "Putinism of the brain"

Major Jānis Slaidiņš, an officer with the Latvian National Guard staff, used an appearance on TV24's program on the war in Ukraine to satirically break down the thinking patterns common among Russian society under state propaganda, labeling the phenomenon "Putinism of the brain."

Symptoms and a self-test

Slaidiņš listed the main "symptoms" as an inability to think critically, an "allergy to facts," belief that the state cannot be wrong, distaste for reliable information sources, and a craving for propaganda. As a self-check, he suggested questions such as whether Putin or the authorities can be mistaken or lie, and whether it is possible to both criticize and love one's country.

Causes and "treatment"

He attributed the mindset to television propaganda, fear, ignorance of history, a lack of critical thinking, a desire for simple answers, and a cult of the leader. As ironic "treatment," he proposed turning off the television, consulting varied sources, fact-checking, studying history, and thinking independently.

"Complications"

Slaidiņš also described further "complications," including an "empire syndrome" and a "besieged fortress syndrome" that sees enemies everywhere, plus a "historical revenge syndrome" tied to the idea of reclaiming "historical lands." He additionally pointed to aggression toward dissenters and a loss of humanity as symptoms.

Relevance to Latvia

He also addressed how Kremlin narratives spread in Latvia, saying local sympathizers of Russian propaganda often adapt these ideas to the Latvian context. According to Slaidiņš, Latvia's own version of such thinking "lags slightly behind" Russia's, with some spreading it openly and others more discreetly. He named critical thinking as the key preventive measure.