Unpacking “Historical Analogies” in International Relations: Memory Politics in Pro-Kremlin Reporting on the Russian War against Ukraine

Abstract Over the past decade, the field of International Relations (IR) has increasingly engaged with issues of memory politics, and memory studies more broadly. This paper focuses on one concept frequently used within IR scholarship: the “historical analogy.” Seeking to diversify this often loosely defined umbrella term, we propose a more nuanced framework for analyzing memory politics, particularly in times of war. We illustrate our approach through an analysis of Russian state media coverage of the invasion of Ukraine, with particular attention to how analogies with World War II are constructed. We argue that Kremlin-aligned state media do not merely reference history but actively curate past–present linkages. We identify distinct mnemonic modes whose significance lies not (only) in their thematic content but in the specific temporal relationships they cultivate. These modes range from what we term “discursive resonances” and “historical analogies” to assertions of historical “repetition” and “continuity”—each introducing its own emotional and rhetorical inflection into contemporary political discourse. By diversifying the concept of analogy, we offer tools for understanding how memory may function not only as a cultural resource but also as a tactical instrument in hybrid warfare. In doing so, the paper contributes to both IR and memory studies by demonstrating that temporal structure—rather than just historical content—plays a key role in memory politics.