Abstract: The paper under consideration examines discreditation of paganism in Kheraskov's poem 'Vladimir' as one of the least studied aspects of the epic poem by Mikhail Kheraskov. Kheraskov pays much attention to pagans who opposed to the adoption of Christianity in Russia. Their point of view and arguments against the new religion are important in the context of Vladimir's inner struggle, but the author discredits the pagans, casting doubt on their arguments. The poet accentuates the negative aspects of the cult, relying in general on the testimonies of historians, but thickening colors and speculating a number of details. It should be noted that fantastic elements in the poem are also linked with discrediting pagans. The forces of good and evil, the messengers of Heaven and hell interfere with the affairs of people, supporting Christians or pagans. Paganism in 'Vladimir' is associated with the devil worship, it is evidenced with the identification of Perun with the prince of the world. A comparison of the poem with historical sources makes it possible to reveal in which cases the poet more or less freely interprets the historical material or contributes fictional and fantastic elements to the purpose of emphasizing the priority of Christianity in relation to paganism. The novelty of the research is caused by the fact that there are very few researches devoted to the poem 'Vladimir' and many aspects of the poem are still left understudied including discreditaton of paganism the author of the article talks about. The author concludes that fictional details partly based on chronicles or contradictory thereto interwine with the historical basis of the poem creating the effect of the prism through which historical rather credible historical events are presented in a new light. The old belief is discredited and the author does not leave an opportunity to interpret the choice of the Kiev Knyaz as a destruction of original Russian culture and propagation of alien culture. On the contrary, christianization of Rus' saves the nation that happened to be at the edge of doom. 

Abstract: The article is devoted to the historical component of the epic poem "Vladimir" by Mikhail Kheraskov. The poem on the theme of Russian history presupposes references to historical sources and processing of historical material. At the same time, the poem did not have to be authentic, the author was free to interpret historical events in accordance with the idea of the work. It is also necessary to consider the genre features of the epic poem which requires the author to emphasize the scope and significance of the events described. A few works are devoted to "Vladimir", the historical basis of the work is not studied, which determines the relevance of this research. The author of the article attempts to reveal the correlation of history and fiction in the poem by Kheraskov. Comparison of the poem by Kheraskov with historical sources allows to determine in which cases the poet more or less freely interprets the historical material or contributes fictional details to the work. Kheraskov in "Vladimir" stands heroic pathos, and creates the image of a strong enemy, accentuates the exploits of the protagonist, thickens the paint creating a full battle canvas, and fills in the gaps in the testimonies of historians with bright details. Historicity in the poem recedes into the background, but it remains the foundation on which the plot of the poem is built.