Skip to main content

Russian university students launch petition against new research center named after monarchist philosopher who defended Hitler

Source: Meduza

Students at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RGGU) in Moscow have launched a petition against the naming of the institution’s Ivan Ilyin Higher Political School, which was created in July 2023. The center’s namesake, 20th-century philosopher Ivan Ilyin, defended the actions of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini and advocated for the return of a tsarist autocracy in Russia.

The students propose a public vote to rename the Higher Political School. The petition, published on Change.org, reads:

In the 20th century, Ivan Ilyin actively condoned the actions of the Germany fascist regime, justifying Hitler’s crimes as a necessary response to Bolshevism and writing about the necessity of Russian fascism. A research center at one of the leading academic institutions of the country that defeated fascism cannot bear the name of a supporter of fascist ideas, bearing in mind the socio-political situations our country is currently in.

The Ivan Ilyin Higher Political School at RGGU was created in July 2023. Earlier this month, Russian media reported that far-right philosopher and ideologue Alexander Dugin, who has served as a consultant to the Kremlin in recent years, was placed in charge of the school.

Alexander Dugin and Darya Dugina

‘Hawkish times need hawkish people’ How the death of Daria Dugina helped her father, Alexander Dugin, rise from ultraconservative fringe philosopher to key Kremlin ideologue

Alexander Dugin and Darya Dugina

‘Hawkish times need hawkish people’ How the death of Daria Dugina helped her father, Alexander Dugin, rise from ultraconservative fringe philosopher to key Kremlin ideologue

Sign up for Meduza’s daily newsletter

A digest of Russia’s investigative reports and news analysis. If it matters, we summarize it.

Protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Meduza survived 2024 thanks to its readers!

Let’s stick together for 2025.

The world is at a crossroads today, and quality journalism will help shape the decades to come. Real stories must be told at any cost. Please support Meduza by signing up for a recurring donation.

Any amount