The concept of Katechon as a war narrative: Four Russian ideologues’ interpretations of the ‘special military operation’

In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion (2022–), several Russian ideologues rapidly mobilized the concept of Katechon to interpret the meaning of the so-called ‘special military operation’. This article examines the ideological profiles of four ‘entrepreneurs of influence’ who operate within hybrid media landscapes, analysing how they use the concept of Katechon in their recent publications. The research reveals that, while these actors exhibit distinct ideological profiles and draw from different sources of influence in their use of the Katechon concept, they demonstrate a common modus operandi and exhibit overlapping media networks. The analysis shows that their shared deployment of the Katechon concept is particularly suited to framing the ‘West’ as an existential enemy, explaining the concept’s persistent appeal among these ideologues. While the fundamental form of their reasoning related to the concept of Katechon remains consistent, its specific content and application vary among different thinkers.