Abstract. The article analyzes the strategy of Western countries (primarily the United States) aimed at undermining the Russian state, including it in the sphere of its geo-economic and geopolitical influence, eliminating Russia from the list of great powers and turning it into a dependent country, a Periphery in relation to the Center. Starting from the conflict in Ukraine, the author examines the methods by which the West influenced Russia at that time and identifies the reasons why Western approaches were often effective. This allows us to draw certain lessons and outline some conclusions for the future, both for the ruling elite of our country and for Russian society as a whole. Firstly, we are talking about the fact that Ukraine is just a testing ground where world players, supranational and military-political blocs, international organizations, financial structures and transnational corporations are trying to close the “Russian question”. The struggle here is not so much for territories and resources, but for the future image of the world. Secondly, the scale of the task requires the West to take multifaceted approaches. Forceful confrontation is only a special case. No less effective is the tactic of creating a split in the public consciousness. Today, throughout the entire post-Soviet space, there is a rewriting of history, the formalization of historical phobias, grievances and claims, and the search for a national “self” along the path of dissociation from Russia. Similar trends are emerging in a number of turbulent zones within Russia itself, where until recently the process of reformatting public historical consciousness and eradicating everything “imperial” was successfully underway. Thirdly, only after being drawn into an armed confrontation did our country begin to realize the seriousness of the situation. The overwhelming Russophobia of the “civilized West” has dispelled the illusions of the post-Soviet elite about its place (and Russia’s place) in the global world. The need to strengthen social unity and sovereignty in all areas became obvious.