World From Potemkin to Putin: What a centuries-old myth reveals about Russia’s war against Ukraine April 23, 2022April 24, 2022Dennis Wagner, USA TODAYComments Off on From Potemkin to Putin: What a centuries-old myth reveals about Russia’s war against Ukraine The phrase 'Potemkin village' is based on an 18th century story from the same region as today's war in Ukraine. Here's what it says about Putin.