Transformation of the myth of heroism in Russian contemporary war prose

Contemporary “war prose” contains works on both the Second World War and the subsequent conflicts in Afghanistan and Chechnya. The aim of the article is to analyse the changes of the war hero myth in autobiographical texts of the wars’ participants. Among the authors are Oleg Yermakov, Zachar Prilepin, Arkady Babchenko. As we find out, the contemporary “war narrative” is interwoven with the lack of ideology and patriotic pathos. A soldier fails to accept his war; moreover, he questions the authorities in their decision to break out the military conflict. In these conditions, it is difficult to make heroic acts and sacrifice for the good of the homeland