Russian President Vladimir Putin, having unleashed the bloodiest war of the 21st century against Ukraine, relies on the medieval chronicle The Tale of Bygone Years to justify his aggression.

American historian Timothy Snyder writes about this in his article for The Financial Times, analyzing how Putin uses myths about the ancient Scandinavian chieftain Rørik to create an illusion of historical legitimacy.
https://bukvy.org/putinska-vijna-ta-mify-pro-roreka-timoti-snajder-pro-te-yak-kreml-vypravdovuye-agresiyu-davnimy-litopysamy/
https://x.com/wartranslated/status/1960000854196363321