Steve Rosenberg: Lasting image of Russia's economic forum is plume of smoke over St Petersburg
An evil sorcerer is the last person you'd expect to see at an economic forum. With sleight of hand Russian folklore villain "Koshchei the Deathless" (or, rather, someone dressed as him) produced coi…
An evil sorcerer is the last person you'd expect to see at an economic forum. With sleight of hand Russian folklore villain "Koshchei the Deathless"
Read Full Story at BBC World News →Why This Matters
The incident at St. Petersburg’s economic forum underscores the Kremlin’s increasingly theatrical approach to projecting power, blending folklore with geopolitical messaging. It reflects a broader strategy where symbolic gestures—even absurd ones—serve as proxies for economic confidence or desperation, depending on the audience. The juxtaposition of a mythical figure and high-stakes financial diplomacy reveals how Russia weaponizes culture as a tool of soft power in an era of sanctioned isolation.
Background Context
Koshchei the Deathless originates from Slavic mythology as an eternal, malevolent sorcerer—a figure often associated with greed and the futility of escaping fate. His appearance at a forum ostensibly dedicated to economic stability and international investment signals a deliberate subversion of expectations, likely aimed at both domestic audiences (reinforcing resilience myths) and foreign investors (testing their tolerance for chaos). The timing is particularly pointed, coming as Western sanctions and capital flight strain Russia’s financial system.
What Happens Next
Expect further surreal stunts at future forums, as Moscow normalizes unpredictability as a form of deterrence. The episode may embolden domestic critics to question the regime’s economic messaging, while foreign investors could recalibrate risk assessments—either dismissing Russia as a joke or doubling down on hedging strategies. Watch for whether this tactic scales to other high-profile events, or if it triggers backlash from cultural institutions wary of state co-optation.
Bigger Picture
This incident fits a pattern of post-2022 Kremlin communications, where mythology, disinformation, and economic signaling merge to create a labyrinth of plausible deniability. It mirrors broader trends in authoritarian regimes leveraging esoteric narratives to distract from material failures, while also highlighting how global audiences now parse such performances through the lens of sanctions and wartime propaganda. The stunt may be niche, but it’s a microcosm of Russia’s broader pivot to myth as a substitute for missing institutions.
