Protection of historical memory and historical truth by criminal law: the experience of the Russian Federation

The article examines the problem of criminal legal protection of historical truth and memory in the Russian Federation in modern conditions. The relevance of the research is due to the increasing attempts to falsify historical facts, especially those related to the Great Patriotic War. The scientific novelty of the research lies in an integrated approach to the study of the Russian criminal legislation for the availability of appropriate means to counter these crimes, as well as the development of a system of crimes against the desecration of historical truth. The author analyzes the norms of criminal legislation aimed at countering the distortion of historical events, including articles on the rehabilitation of Nazism and the protection of historical memory. Special attention is paid to the constitutional amendments of 2020, which consolidated the need to protect historical truth at the state level as a constitutional value. The research methodology is based on the application of a systematic, comparative legal and formal legal analysis of the current legislation of the Russian Federation, judicial practice and scientific works in this field. The study shows the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms and reveals the prospects for their further development to strengthen national identity and preserve historical memory. A special contribution of the author is the analysis of a large number of doctrinal sources and judicial practice materials in order to more accurately reflect the issues under consideration. The author formulated the concepts of "historical memory" and "historical truth", considered the elements of crimes and formed a system of crimes that protect these social relations. The author came to the conclusion that the protection of historical truth and memory is an important component of the national security strategy of the Russian Federation. It promotes the preservation of the historical identity of the people, countering attempts to falsify history, strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values of society and consolidating society based on common historical values.

historical truth, historical memory, historical reality, sovereignty, spiritual and moral values, criminal law instruments, Nazism, propaganda, desecration, ensuring peace