Abstract: Based on relevant sources and literature, the article analyses the attitude of the Russian opinion journalist Vasily Vodovozov (1864–1933) toward Serbia during the First World War. As a war correspondent in Serbia, Vodovozov traveled through Macedonia for examining the mood of the local population. Due to the favourable impressions gained on the journey and his commitment to the principle of peoples’ self-determination, he later generally supported the Serbian war goals in his articles and books.

Keywords: Vasily Vodovozov, Serbia, Russia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Balkan Peninsula, First World War, national question

Summary

Vasily Vodovozov (1864–1933), a Russian opinion journalist, jurist and politician was interested in Balkan problems from his youth, especially the Macedonian question. As a socialist committed to people’s self-determination, he has consistently advocated for an independent Macedonian state. During the Balkan Wars, he accordingly took a slightly pro-Bulgarian stance. However, after spending time in Serbia as a war correspondent at the beginning of the First World War, Vodovozov took a pro-Serbian stance. On his journey across Macedonia, he observed the mood of the local population and gained a relatively favourable impression of the Serbian administration. For this reason, he generally supported the Serbian war aims in his articles and books over the next three years. Vodovozov claimed that changing the borders in favour of the Bulgarians would be wrong. He was reserved towards Serbian aspirations in Albania, while he fully supported Serbia in disputes with Romania and Italy over territories with a majority Serbian or South Slavic population. The February Revolution of 1917 increased Vodovozov’s influence in Russian public opinion, but it quickly faded after the Bolshevik takeover.