Russian Propaganda and Xenophobia Linked to Death of Qobiljon Aliyev

Experts have identified the murder of 10-year-old Qobiljon Aliyev in the Moscow region as a consequence of rising nationalism, state-driven xenophobia, and an increasingly hostile environment toward migrants in Russia.

The killing, committed by a Russian teenager on ethnic grounds, highlights the growing trend of hate-driven violence in the country. According to specialists following the case, the normalization of xenophobic rhetoric and the absence of meaningful consequences for promoting such views have created a dangerous climate where violence against migrants is becoming increasingly commonplace.

“These individuals are often influenced by a sense of injustice, with social media algorithms reinforcing these feelings and feeding them content that escalates their anger,” explains Temur Umarov, researcher at the Carnegie Moscow Center. “This creates a vicious cycle of radicalization, which is hard to control at the state level.”

Umarov emphasizes that hostile rhetoric from government officials permeates through society, manifesting as real-world violence. While Russian authorities may not explicitly endorse such violence, their actions and rhetoric contribute significantly to the climate of intolerance.

The primary purpose of Russian state propaganda, according to Umarov, is not to directly incite violence but to unify the population against a perceived common enemy—migrants. This approach reinforces xenophobic attitudes and provides legitimacy to hateful ideologies.

Parviz Mullojonov, a Tajik political analyst, points to data showing a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in Russian society between 2014 and 2016, with public support for discriminatory policies increasing dramatically during this period.

“The combination of state support and media-driven hate has had a profound impact, creating an environment where nationalism and xenophobia are normalized,” Mullojonov explains. He adds that Russian politicians, particularly those with populist leanings, have exacerbated tensions by making inflammatory statements to appeal to nationalist voters.

“These politicians are not just reflecting public opinion; they are actively shaping it, contributing to a cycle of radicalization that makes violence against migrants seem more acceptable,” he notes.

Rustam Azizi, an expert on counter-extremism, rejects the characterization of Aliyev’s murder as merely a “domestic conflict” or isolated incident. “This is the result of a long-standing, systemic process in Russia, where a populist and nationalist environment has been created, particularly since the war in Ukraine began,” Azizi states.

He points to a dangerous trend where the Russian state has “deliberately invested in this cheap, dangerous populism, which blames an external or internal enemy for all of Russia’s problems.” This approach, according to Azizi, has led to the normalization of hate speech and the moral justification of violence in certain circles.

Political analyst and journalist Arkady Dubnov argues that the tragedy in Odintsovo occurred within a specific social context. The atmosphere of intolerance toward migrants and “the other” has intensified since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, permeating all levels of Russian society.

“Government propaganda, fueled by narratives of patriotism and opposition to foreign influence, has created an environment where xenophobia is seen as acceptable,” Dubnov says. He criticizes attempts to shift blame for the tragedy onto the family or school, emphasizing that the root causes lie with state-driven policies and high-level rhetoric.

Saifullo Safarov, a Tajik political analyst, describes Aliyev’s killing as symptomatic of a broader moral crisis in Russian society. “The state has allowed nationalist ideas to spread, creating a society where there is no distinction between friend and enemy,” he says.

Safarov highlights the irony that migrants, who are essential to Russia’s economy, have become scapegoats for problems unrelated to them. While Russian politicians making xenophobic statements may be motivated by political expediency, Safarov argues they are causing long-term damage to Russian society.

“These politicians, who claim to be patriots, are actually undermining the very principles of tolerance and unity that Russia once stood for,” he concludes.

The experts agree that as long as state-driven propaganda and nationalist rhetoric continue to shape public discourse in Russia, similar tragedies are likely to occur, further threatening social cohesion and damaging the country’s international standing.