Kremlin's Digital Dystopia: How Technology is Forging a New System of Control

Presentation of the Book 'The Russian Myth'

According to ХВИЛЯ: During an interview with political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, historian and analyst Oleh Cheslavskyi presented his new book, 'The Russian Myth.' In the discussion, he expressed deep concern over Russia's use of digital technology to establish total control over its population. Cheslavskyi noted that Russian leadership is studying China's experience, particularly the implementation of social credit systems and electronic surveillance. This analysis comes amid a global debate on the ethical use of technology by state actors.

Digital Control in Russia

Oleh Cheslavskyi asserts that

"Russia is currently attempting to become a kind of digital camp,"

he stated. According to him, digital technologies in Russia are not used to expand human potential, as is common in the democratic world, but to ensure total control over citizens. He described this as a

"digital Leviathan."

The historian believes the Russian authorities aim to create an 'Orthodox Iran' with nuclear weapons and modern control technologies. Cheslavskyi emphasized that this fusion of medieval thinking, where the individual is state property, with contemporary surveillance methods is exceptionally dangerous.

He also pointed out that crushing protest no longer requires sending tanks into the streets.

• "It is enough to block bank accounts,"
• "cut a person off from state services"
• "or identify them via cameras in a matter of seconds,"

Cheslavskyi remarked. He contends that the Russian authorities are 'building a dystopia in real time,' halting the progress of human freedom, which he identifies as the core idea of their policy. These statements raise significant alarm about the direction Russia is taking in the age of modern technology.

Oleh Cheslavskyi's presentation raises crucial questions about the ethical and social consequences of deploying cutting-edge technology within political systems, especially under authoritarian regimes. The expansion of digital control could profoundly impact human rights and civil liberties, demanding attention from the international community. Examining the experience of other nations, such as China, can be instructive for understanding the potential threats emerging in a world where technology becomes a tool for governance and control.