[bogomipz]

Curiously Orthodox Christian mysticism creeps in to this sense of destiny as well which is really scary. See:

"Russia’s Menacing Mix of Religion and Nuclear Weapons In the Kremlin, Faith and Force Go Hand in Hand"[1]

Another member of this inner circle not named in this article is Yuri Kovalchuk who's the largest sharedholders in Rossiya Bank in addition to National Media Group. He is a long time friend and advisor to Putin and subscribes to this same Orthodox Christian mystic narrative where Russia needs to save the world from the West.[2]

There's a book by Gary Lachman about this that came out a couple of years ago called:

"The Return of Holy Russia: Apocalyptic History, Mystical Awakening, and the Struggle for the Soul of the World"

[1] https://archive.ph/EeaaG

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/10/opinion/putin-russia-ukra...

[Animats]

Putin finds the support of the Russian Orthodox Church useful, but it's not clear whether he believes in it.

[bogomipz]

He doesn't need to believe in it though for the narrative to be useful and effective.