Vlasovi

Vlasov, also known as Vlasovism, refers to the political and military movement led by General Andrei Vlasov during World War II. Andrei Vlasov was a Soviet officer who defected to the German side in 1942 after being captured by Nazi forces. He became a prominent figure in the anti-Soviet resistance, forming the Russian National Liberation Army (RONA) and later the Russian Liberation Army (RLA) to fight against the Soviet Union.

Vlasov’s movement was initially supported by Nazi Germany, which saw him as a potential ally in its efforts to destabilize the Soviet regime. The Germans hoped that Vlasov’s forces could serve as a counterbalance to the Red Army and inspire other Soviet prisoners of war to join the anti-communist struggle. However, Vlasov’s collaboration with the Nazis was met with strong opposition from the Soviet government, which branded him a traitor. After the war, Vlasov was executed by the Soviet authorities in 1946 on charges of treason.

The Vlasov movement gained some support among Soviet prisoners of war, particularly those who opposed Stalin’s regime or sought to escape harsh conditions in German captivity. Estimates suggest that up to 30,000 Soviet soldiers fought under Vlasov at the height of his movement. However, his forces were never able to achieve significant military success, and their influence waned as the war progressed. Many of his followers were either repatriated to the Soviet Union or continued fighting in exile after the war.

Vlasov’s legacy remains controversial. Supporters view him as a symbol of resistance against Soviet totalitarianism, while critics condemn his collaboration with Nazi Germany. Historians generally agree that his movement was a complex phenomenon, shaped by the brutal realities of war, ideological divisions, and the desperate circumstances of Soviet prisoners. The topic continues to be debated in Russian and international historical discourse.