I actually watched recently a few videos on YT by Klim Zhukov (in Russian, naturally ; he’s a Tankie and a historian by education), and I’m not so certain.
I may even agree than in some things they are more orthodox-Marxist than most western left movements.
You can call yourself a leftist without actually espousing ideals reflecting it.
Tankies aren’t leftist, they’re leftist cosplayers.
I actually watched recently a few videos on YT by Klim Zhukov (in Russian, naturally ; he’s a Tankie and a historian by education), and I’m not so certain.
I may even agree than in some things they are more orthodox-Marxist than most western left movements.
Now, by Tankies I mean Stalinists here.