Debunking the ‘Russia Can’t Be Defeated’ Myth

Moscow and its proxies have been spreading the narrative about “Russia's invincibility”. Let's try to understand who is shaping this propaganda construct and why. 

This myth is becoming increasingly popular not only in pro-Russian media, but also among Western political leaders and experts who either openly or implicitly acknowledge the Russian Federation's supposed special ability to withstand any war.

Such discourse not only distorts reality — it shapes societies' false perceptions of the course of the war in Ukraine and hinders important political decisions.

Myth-making by Western Politicians

One of the most high-profile examples of spreading the myth of Russia's invincibility was the statements made by former US President Donald Trump. In May 2024, Trump said: “They defeated Hitler and Napoleon. It is a powerful nuclear power with a very intelligent leader. We need to negotiate.” In doing so, he not only repeated the key theses of Russian propaganda, but also reproduced historical simplifications that are beneficial to Moscow.

According to The Washington Post, such statements are evidence of Putin's informational influence on Trump, who has repeatedly demonstrated pro-Russian sympathies, calling Putin a “genius” and a “strong leader.”

Trump's statements echo the comments of other Western politicians and experts who warn against “excessive pressure” on Russia. For example, there is a widespread belief that “Russia cannot be defeated” because it would provoke “World War III.”

At the same time, Trump himself has effectively refuted his own thesis that “Russia defeated Hitler.” The US president declared May 8 as Victory Day in World War II and November 11 as Victory Day in World War I.

“Many of our allies and friends celebrate May 8 as Victory Day, but we did more than any other country to achieve victory in World War II. Therefore, I am renaming May 8 as Victory Day in World War II and November 11 as Victory Day in World War I,” he wrote on the social network Truth Social.

“We won both wars, no one even came close to us in strength, courage, or military prowess, but we never celebrate anything — that's because we no longer have leaders who know how to do it! We will start celebrating our victories again,” Trump added.

So, Trump quite rightly pointed out that it was not Russia that defeated Hitler, but a whole coalition of states, in which the United States itself played a leading role. Incidentally, the situation is similar in the case of Napoleon. At the same time, when Russia waged wars on its own, it often lost them, including openly weaker opponents.

Historical Examples of Russia's Defeats

The thesis of Russia's invincibility does not stand up to any criticism if we look at the facts. Throughout its history, Russia has repeatedly suffered serious military defeats, which not only changed the geopolitical map but also destroyed the illusion of its power.

1.Defeat in the Crimean War (1853–1856)

The Russian Empire suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a coalition of Great Britain, France, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Ottoman Empire. This war demonstrated Russia's technological and organizational backwardness and forced it to reconsider its imperial policy.

2.The Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905)

The war ended in a crushing defeat for Russia. Japan destroyed the Russian fleet and forced the empire to sign the Treaty of Portsmouth. This was the first defeat of a European empire by an Asian state, which shook the myth of Russia's military greatness.

3.World War I (1914–1918)

Russia suffered heavy losses, which led to revolutions and the abdication of the tsar. The Bolshevik government was forced to sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, losing vast territories.

4.The Afghan War (1979–1989)

The Soviet Union was unable to maintain control over Afghanistan, despite many years of armed intervention. This defeat contributed to the collapse of the USSR.

Why is the discourse of “invincibility” being formed? The idea of Russia's “invincibility” is beneficial to several groups.

First, the Kremlin and its propagandists. This is a central element of the military-ideological myth. The thesis that “we cannot be defeated” creates a sense of superiority among Russians, justifies aggression, and mobilizes the population. It is also a way of influencing Western audiences — imposing the idea that “resistance is futile.”

Second, it benefits Western politicians who claim to have “pragmatic relations” with Russia. For some members of the elite in Europe and the US, it is more convenient to recognize Russia's “invincibility” than to confront it. They appeal to escalation, nuclear threats, economic risks, and, in fact, to maintaining the status quo.

How to Defeat Russia without “Destroying” It

One of the key arguments pushed by those who promote the myth of Russia's invincibility is the supposed impossibility of defeating a nuclear power. They claim that Russia cannot lose a war because it would resort to nuclear weapons if facing defeat. However, this logic does not apply to Russia’s war against Ukraine, which does not threaten the existence of the Russian state itself.

Ukraine’s objective is not to destroy Russia, but to stop its aggression and restore its territorial integrity. Victory in this context does not mean conquering Moscow, but rather forcing Russia to retreat, withdraw its forces, and abandon its imperial ambitions.

This can be achieved through sustained military pressure, as demonstrated during the successful liberation of the Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions. Diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and support for international justice mechanisms also play a vital role. Additionally, internal unrest within Russia — from elite dissatisfaction to public protests — can further weaken the regime's resolve. Crucially, continued military support to Ukraine allows it not only to defend itself but also to strike back effectively, even within Russian territory.

Russia did not use nuclear weapons in the case of the war in Chechnya, nor did the USSR use them against Afghanistan, because in those instances the threats of their use outweighed even the prospect of losing the war. The war against Ukraine is a typical colonial war, which can be ended at any moment if the Russian leadership so desires. The task of the world is to compel the Russian leadership to make that decision, using both military and non-military means.

The most important point is that Putin himself left room for the realization of such a scenario by declaring not a war against Ukraine, but a vague “special military operation,” which he can halt at any moment by a simple decree.

Overall, Russia is not a superpower that cannot be stopped. Its weaknesses are obvious: a demographic crisis, technological backwardness, corruption, ineffective logistics, degradation of command. All of this is now fully manifest. It is far from the USSR of Stalin’s era or the Russian Empire, whose victories are now fondly recalled by Russia’s Western sympathizers.

Russia’s Invincibility Is a Myth — and a Dangerous One

The thesis of Russia’s invincibility is not a fact, but a propaganda construct. It is consciously crafted as a tool of psychological influence, geopolitical blackmail, and justification of inaction. It is spread by both Russian propagandists and certain Western politicians who are not ready for difficult decisions. However, history, the present, and facts prove: Russia can be defeated. Russia’s invincibility is not a reality, but a convenient illusion for those who are afraid to defeat it.

Petro Oleshchuk, political scientist, Ph.D, expert at the United Ukraine Think Tank