By Headlinenews.news Investigative Team
A widely circulated narrative attributes the statehood of numerous countries to Russia’s historical actions, purportedly based on a Facebook post by a Finnish blogger named Veikko Korhonen from Oulu. This narrative suggests that nations such as Finland, the Baltic states, Poland, and others owe their independence to Russian intervention. However, upon closer examination, this account appears to be part of a disinformation campaign lacking credible authorship and historical accuracy.
Origins and Dissemination
The narrative first appeared online in 2015, presented as a Facebook post by the alleged Finnish blogger. It gained significant traction in Russian-language media and social platforms, often accompanied by a photograph purported to be of Korhonen. Investigations revealed that the individual in the photograph is actually Atte Korhola, a professor at the University of Helsinki, who has no connection to the post’s content. Furthermore, there is no verifiable evidence of a Finnish blogger named Veikko Korhonen from Oulu, indicating that the persona was fabricated to lend credibility to the narrative.
Historical Inaccuracies
The narrative claims that Russia played a pivotal role in the establishment of various nations’ statehoods. However, historical records provide a more nuanced picture:
Finland: While Finland was part of the Russian Empire from 1809 to 1917, it declared independence following the Russian Revolution, seeking to establish its sovereignty apart from Russian rule.
Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania): These nations declared independence in 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire. Their subsequent incorporation into the Soviet Union during World War II was a result of occupation, not voluntary association.
Poland: Poland regained independence in 1918 after World War I. The assertion that Russia aided Poland’s statehood overlooks the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, which erased Poland from the map for over a century.
Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia: While Russian support during conflicts with the Ottoman Empire contributed to these nations’ independence in the 19th century, attributing their statehood solely to Russia oversimplifies the complex interplay of regional and national movements.
Motivations Behind the Narrative
This narrative aligns with pro-Kremlin historical revisionism, aiming to cast Russia as a benevolent force in global history. By promoting the idea that many nations owe their existence to Russian intervention, it seeks to foster a sense of indebtedness and reshape historical perceptions. Such disinformation campaigns can influence public opinion and international relations by presenting a skewed version of history.
Conclusion
The story of the Finnish blogger and Russia’s alleged role in granting statehood to numerous countries is a fabricated narrative lacking credible evidence. It serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating sources and being vigilant against disinformation that seeks to distort historical facts for political purposes.
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Dr. Amiida
Headlinenews.news
