(Phnom Penh): Anatoly Borovik, Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, presided over the screening of the documentary film “Ordinary Fascism” at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Phnom Penh on 26 February 2026.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Borovik welcomed distinguished guests and friends to the Embassy and highlighted the enduring relevance of the 1965 documentary directed by a prominent Soviet filmmaker and screenwriter Mikhail Romm, which portrays the rise and fall of fascism in Nazi Germany.
The ambassador noted that 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II, recalling how the peoples of many nations set aside their differences and united to defeat fascism and secure a better future for the next generations.
He stressed that the victory over fascism came at an enormous cost, with the death toll estimated at more than 75 million people worldwide. At the same time, tens of millions more were affected or displaced, and thousands of cities, towns, and villages were destroyed.
Ambassador Borovik also expressed concern that in recent years, some groups have attempted to rewrite the history of World War II, including shifting the blame for starting the war onto the USSR, despite its key role and heavy sacrifice in defeating Nazi Germany.
He further expressed concern over the demolition of monuments dedicated to Soviet soldiers in Europe and Ukraine, as well as the destruction of their graves. The ambassador also criticised the glorification of historical figures such as Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych, describing such actions as attempts to rehabilitate and revive fascist ideology.
“To our great sorrow, not everyone has learned the lessons of history. The threat of a resurgence of hateful ideologies, which have already brought unbearable suffering to humanity, is higher than ever before,” said the ambassador, expressing hope that after watching the film and viewing the accompanying photographs, participants would draw their own conclusions and reflect on the historical lessons.
=FRESH NEWS
