The Middle Eastern and Greek mythological origins of understanding the image of the old Russian Swarog

The purpose of reseach is to analyse, based on chronicle texts and research in the field of comparative mythology, the validity of the chronicler's association of the ancient Russian Svarog with the Greek gods Hephaestus and Helios, and to identify the Middle Eastern origins of his interpretation. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, comprehensiveness, objectivity and systematicity. The methods of comparative mythology, hermeneutics and linguistics were used in the study. The scientific novelty lies in the attempt to reveal the image of the ancient Russian chronicle Svarog by searching for the origins of his formation in the Middle Eastern and Greek ancient mythology, in revealing his dual solar-thunder nature, and in raising the question of the monistic nature of the pre-Christian beliefs of the population of Ancient Rus. Conclusions. The chronicle identification of the ancient Russian pagan god Svarog with the Greek god-smith Hephaestus and the sun god Helios was dictated by the very nature of the ancient gods and the dual solar-thunder nature of Svarog himself. Given that Hephaestus (Theostes) was of Middle Eastern origin and originally embodied an all-encompassing cosmic deity with distinct features of both a solar god and a thunder god, the comparison of the chronicle's Svarog with both ancient gods, who in the chronicle's text appears as a cultural hero who became the founder of civilisation, becomes quite understandable. At the same time, the identification of Svarog not only with Hephaestus, but also with the solar god, raises the question of the possibility of developing monistic ideas in the mythological worldview of the ancient Russian population on the eve of the introduction of Christianity by Volodymyr (988), which contributed to its adoption and the formation of the phenomenon of national dualism