Putin Is Older Than Biden
Russian telegram is overall disappointed with Putin’s “direct line”, and rightfully so. The concept of the show is outdated, as well as the President himself.
Putin’s rhetoric and reactions show that he fell well behind the time and has no clear idea about the real state of affairs in Russia. President is living in a bubble. The charisma is gone.
Russian propaganda likes to make fun of Biden’s age and reactions. Putin was born 10 years later than Biden, but seems to be older than him.
Unfortunately, Putin also promised to write a new article, this time about Russians and Ukranians being one nation. Hopefully, someone in Kremlin will talk him out of it.
Russian telegram is overall disappointed with Putin’s “direct line”, and rightfully so. The concept of the show is outdated, as well as the President himself.
Putin’s rhetoric and reactions show that he fell well behind the time and has no clear idea about the real state of affairs in Russia. President is living in a bubble. The charisma is gone.
Russian propaganda likes to make fun of Biden’s age and reactions. Putin was born 10 years later than Biden, but seems to be older than him.
Unfortunately, Putin also promised to write a new article, this time about Russians and Ukranians being one nation. Hopefully, someone in Kremlin will talk him out of it.
Vaccine Shortages in Russia
Another Russian region stated the shortage of anti-Covid vaccine after Udmurtia. The healthcare minister of Komi Republic said today that Moscow doesn’t send enough vaccine to the region.
According to Igor Dyagilev, Komi has requested 70000 dozes of vaccine, but Moscow is failing to provide the region with this tiny quantity. It is being sent to Komi several thousands shots a time.
Dyagilev said that there is a harsh competition among the regions for vaccine. The problem is being solved as usual in Russia, via phone calls and personal contacts with Moscow officials.
Sverdlovsk oblast in Urals also cannot get enough vaccine. Meanwhile the Covid death toll in Russia is hitting record numbers for the fourth day in a row.
It is impossible to inoculate 60% of population by the end of the year, as Kremlin initially wanted, because Russia failed to produce enough vaccine. The US have vaccinated 170mln people so far, 30mln more than the whole population of Russia.
Another Russian region stated the shortage of anti-Covid vaccine after Udmurtia. The healthcare minister of Komi Republic said today that Moscow doesn’t send enough vaccine to the region.
According to Igor Dyagilev, Komi has requested 70000 dozes of vaccine, but Moscow is failing to provide the region with this tiny quantity. It is being sent to Komi several thousands shots a time.
Dyagilev said that there is a harsh competition among the regions for vaccine. The problem is being solved as usual in Russia, via phone calls and personal contacts with Moscow officials.
Sverdlovsk oblast in Urals also cannot get enough vaccine. Meanwhile the Covid death toll in Russia is hitting record numbers for the fourth day in a row.
It is impossible to inoculate 60% of population by the end of the year, as Kremlin initially wanted, because Russia failed to produce enough vaccine. The US have vaccinated 170mln people so far, 30mln more than the whole population of Russia.
Security of the Riches
Mark Galeotti called the newest edition of Russia’s National Security Strategy “paranoid”, but it is “kleptocratic” and pathetic as well.
The very essence of the document is to preserve the current Russian neo-feudalism with social inequality and privileges for the elite. It is not about the security of Russia, it is about the prosperity of oldmen in Kremlin, oligarchs and billionaires.
Russia obviously needs changes, but these people don’t. Nothing should change for Putin, Patrushev or Sechin. The goal of this strategy is not to preserve Russian people, but to preserve the immense capitals of Russian elites led by Putin. Which means further limiting of people's freedoms.
If America is building alliances, Russia aims to further isolate itself from the world for the benefit of its ruling feudals.
The strategy also shows the growing influence of China in Kremlin. Washington clearly sees it and will have to look out in order not to give Russia away to the Chinese.
Mark Galeotti called the newest edition of Russia’s National Security Strategy “paranoid”, but it is “kleptocratic” and pathetic as well.
The very essence of the document is to preserve the current Russian neo-feudalism with social inequality and privileges for the elite. It is not about the security of Russia, it is about the prosperity of oldmen in Kremlin, oligarchs and billionaires.
Russia obviously needs changes, but these people don’t. Nothing should change for Putin, Patrushev or Sechin. The goal of this strategy is not to preserve Russian people, but to preserve the immense capitals of Russian elites led by Putin. Which means further limiting of people's freedoms.
If America is building alliances, Russia aims to further isolate itself from the world for the benefit of its ruling feudals.
The strategy also shows the growing influence of China in Kremlin. Washington clearly sees it and will have to look out in order not to give Russia away to the Chinese.
A Joke
Another issue of Russian Security Strategy is the comical, everlasting Russian de-dollarization.
For sole propaganda reasons Kremlin depicts this eternal process as some kind of success and a move which inflicts pain on America or dollar as a global currency. Nothing could matter less for Washington and dollar.
Russia is no threat whatsoever because of its insignificant economy. Kremlin could even de-dollarize the capitals of its inhabitants and oligarchs, it still won’t make much difference.
Fair enough, moving away from dollar doesn’t mean strengthening of Russian economy, as Kremlin replaces dollars in its reserves with Euros and Chinese yuans. For political, not economic reasons Bank of Russia trusts in yuan far more than the rest of the world. This tendency is rightfully called “serf loyalty to Chinese masters” in this brilliant piece of writing.
Another issue of Russian Security Strategy is the comical, everlasting Russian de-dollarization.
For sole propaganda reasons Kremlin depicts this eternal process as some kind of success and a move which inflicts pain on America or dollar as a global currency. Nothing could matter less for Washington and dollar.
Russia is no threat whatsoever because of its insignificant economy. Kremlin could even de-dollarize the capitals of its inhabitants and oligarchs, it still won’t make much difference.
Fair enough, moving away from dollar doesn’t mean strengthening of Russian economy, as Kremlin replaces dollars in its reserves with Euros and Chinese yuans. For political, not economic reasons Bank of Russia trusts in yuan far more than the rest of the world. This tendency is rightfully called “serf loyalty to Chinese masters” in this brilliant piece of writing.
Kremlin vs Middle Class
Russian government needs additional 400bln roubles for its „strategic initiatives’’ and plans to get them out of oil and metal industries, as well as from the increase of excises. It is all good on paper, but we all know what the strategy of Kremlin really is: the rich is getting richer, the poor is getting poorer.
There is little doubt that Russian government will actually get this money out of the weak middle class. As we have pointed out, putinism is impossible without poverty. It doesn’t need middle class which will surely demand more democracy, more transparency and more political representation.
The differences between the approaches of Kremlin and Western governments to public administration were shown vividly by the pandemic. Putin and his team used Covid to transfer as much people as possible from the middle class to the poor and will keep doing it.
A couple of days earlier Russian parliament refused to adopt a new luxury tax. Russian billionaires have nothing to worry about.
Russian government needs additional 400bln roubles for its „strategic initiatives’’ and plans to get them out of oil and metal industries, as well as from the increase of excises. It is all good on paper, but we all know what the strategy of Kremlin really is: the rich is getting richer, the poor is getting poorer.
There is little doubt that Russian government will actually get this money out of the weak middle class. As we have pointed out, putinism is impossible without poverty. It doesn’t need middle class which will surely demand more democracy, more transparency and more political representation.
The differences between the approaches of Kremlin and Western governments to public administration were shown vividly by the pandemic. Putin and his team used Covid to transfer as much people as possible from the middle class to the poor and will keep doing it.
A couple of days earlier Russian parliament refused to adopt a new luxury tax. Russian billionaires have nothing to worry about.
Alexander Lukashenko has sentenced his political rival and former executive of Gazprom’s bank in Minsk Viktor Babariko to 14 years. Moreover, the Belarusian President threatened today to stop German export to Russia and China through Belarus.
Washington should be pleased with Lukashenko’s moves. He is an interesting ally of Russia who constantly humiliates Putin. Although USA have no direct interest in Belarus, unlike Russia or to a less degree Germany, move of Belarus to the West will be welcome.
People of Belarus want European life standards and institutions, and there is really nothing Russia could offer them.
Washington should be pleased with Lukashenko’s moves. He is an interesting ally of Russia who constantly humiliates Putin. Although USA have no direct interest in Belarus, unlike Russia or to a less degree Germany, move of Belarus to the West will be welcome.
People of Belarus want European life standards and institutions, and there is really nothing Russia could offer them.
Afghan Case
American retreat from Afghanistan drew a lot of criticism in the country, mostly from military lobby. Russian state media is going crazy about American “defeat” and “weakness”, but this might be the smartest thing Biden’s administration did in its foreign policy.
The region will surely become less safe with Taliban taking hold of Afghanistan, but America will be the ultimate winner even in case of the Afghan government’s collapse. Insecurity costs, Russia and China will be the ones to pay.
The US have achieved every long-term major goal set in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of troops isn’t a mistake or a folly as some of our retired generals assume. What do we have to lose?
The self-proclaimed foreign policy master Putin is already involved in intense talks with his ally in Tajikistan, but the whole region of weak or failed states is under pressure.
Russians could ridicule Americans for the weapons and other stuff we have left in Afghanistan, but it looks like Washington will have the last laugh.
American retreat from Afghanistan drew a lot of criticism in the country, mostly from military lobby. Russian state media is going crazy about American “defeat” and “weakness”, but this might be the smartest thing Biden’s administration did in its foreign policy.
The region will surely become less safe with Taliban taking hold of Afghanistan, but America will be the ultimate winner even in case of the Afghan government’s collapse. Insecurity costs, Russia and China will be the ones to pay.
The US have achieved every long-term major goal set in Afghanistan. The withdrawal of troops isn’t a mistake or a folly as some of our retired generals assume. What do we have to lose?
The self-proclaimed foreign policy master Putin is already involved in intense talks with his ally in Tajikistan, but the whole region of weak or failed states is under pressure.
Russians could ridicule Americans for the weapons and other stuff we have left in Afghanistan, but it looks like Washington will have the last laugh.
Russian Vaccination Crisis
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin has suddenly set a goal of 80% vaccination rate in the country. The sheer incompetence of Russian government has become obvious throughout the vaccination campaign, but they could at least agree on the numbers.
Peskov was talking about 60% vaccination rate, then changed his mind and said it was hardly possible, now Mishustin is looking for 80%. No wonder Russians are still reluctant to get a shot although the government has started a mandatory vaccination campaign in the country.
Employees of various public institutions – policemen, academics, teachers etc – are forced to be vaccinated, but still manage to resist. According to our Russian insiders, vaccination rate is extremely low among medics themselves.
Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin has suddenly set a goal of 80% vaccination rate in the country. The sheer incompetence of Russian government has become obvious throughout the vaccination campaign, but they could at least agree on the numbers.
Peskov was talking about 60% vaccination rate, then changed his mind and said it was hardly possible, now Mishustin is looking for 80%. No wonder Russians are still reluctant to get a shot although the government has started a mandatory vaccination campaign in the country.
Employees of various public institutions – policemen, academics, teachers etc – are forced to be vaccinated, but still manage to resist. According to our Russian insiders, vaccination rate is extremely low among medics themselves.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today that withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan is a recognition of American failure in Afghanistan.
Lavrov hasn’t ever enjoyed a reputation of skillful diplomat, at least in Washington. Now his career came to a point when it is impossible to take him serious. Lavrov is leading the list of Putin’s United Russia party in the coming parliamentary election, so he is more about propaganda than foreign relations.
He was never instrumental or influential in Russian foreign policy. These remarks about withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan indicate his inability or unwillingness to stay in touch with reality.
It is another game which is beyond Lavrov's abilities. Compare him with Jake Sullivan. Anyway, he did enough for a high-ranked position in Russian parliament. Lavrov will fit very well with sportsmen and actors.
Lavrov hasn’t ever enjoyed a reputation of skillful diplomat, at least in Washington. Now his career came to a point when it is impossible to take him serious. Lavrov is leading the list of Putin’s United Russia party in the coming parliamentary election, so he is more about propaganda than foreign relations.
He was never instrumental or influential in Russian foreign policy. These remarks about withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan indicate his inability or unwillingness to stay in touch with reality.
It is another game which is beyond Lavrov's abilities. Compare him with Jake Sullivan. Anyway, he did enough for a high-ranked position in Russian parliament. Lavrov will fit very well with sportsmen and actors.
Taliban delegation is in Moscow (although Taliban is designated by Russia as a terrorist movement), Tajikistan requested Russian help. That’s how, according to Russian state media and Sergei Lavrov, American defeat looks like. And it hasn’t even started yet.
Talks With Terrorists
Interesting feature of Russia’s talks with Taliban is that the latter is banned in Russia as a terrorist organization. Lavrov yesterday was literally talking with terrorists under the Russian law.
Even the favorite Russian argument "Americans are even worse" doesn't work in this case because Taliban is not designated by the US.
At the same time Kremlin punishes Russians for all kinds of alleged “support” of terrorism and extremism, imposing disproportionate restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms of people and constantly introducing new oppressive amendments and bills.
Why are Russians jailed for “supporting” terrorism in social networks if Kremlin is officially involved in a business with terrorists? It is nothing but a rhetoric question. That’s how Russia is being run by its feudal lords.
Interesting feature of Russia’s talks with Taliban is that the latter is banned in Russia as a terrorist organization. Lavrov yesterday was literally talking with terrorists under the Russian law.
Even the favorite Russian argument "Americans are even worse" doesn't work in this case because Taliban is not designated by the US.
At the same time Kremlin punishes Russians for all kinds of alleged “support” of terrorism and extremism, imposing disproportionate restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms of people and constantly introducing new oppressive amendments and bills.
Why are Russians jailed for “supporting” terrorism in social networks if Kremlin is officially involved in a business with terrorists? It is nothing but a rhetoric question. That’s how Russia is being run by its feudal lords.
The Hand of Americans
Kremlin’s telegram major Nezygar says that Taliban’s activities are coordinated by American instructors and PMCs. Would be silly to think that the withdrawal of troops will lead to a complete withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan.
We are in, although CIA’s William Burns has already stated that it would be much harder now to collect intelligence in Afghanistan. Anyway, the American capability to anticipate and to contest any actions in the region is still the same.
Pakistan’s role will be more or less crucial now. It’s on Biden’s Administration now to establish productive relationships with Imran Khan. Jake Sullivan made a promising statement regarding discussions with Pakistan.
William Burns has made a secret visit to Pakistan a month ago to hold meetings with the head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency Faiz Hamid and Army Chief Javed Bajwa. British infrastructure will also be helpful in achieving Washington’s goals in the region.
Tajikistan could be the first one to fall. It is a very poor country with very young population, corrupted regime and potentially strong Islamic movement. Every opportunity will be evaluated and tested.
Taliban knows very well that US and China are strong, while Russia is weak. Yesterday’s agreements with Moscow do not matter much.
Kremlin’s telegram major Nezygar says that Taliban’s activities are coordinated by American instructors and PMCs. Would be silly to think that the withdrawal of troops will lead to a complete withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan.
We are in, although CIA’s William Burns has already stated that it would be much harder now to collect intelligence in Afghanistan. Anyway, the American capability to anticipate and to contest any actions in the region is still the same.
Pakistan’s role will be more or less crucial now. It’s on Biden’s Administration now to establish productive relationships with Imran Khan. Jake Sullivan made a promising statement regarding discussions with Pakistan.
William Burns has made a secret visit to Pakistan a month ago to hold meetings with the head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency Faiz Hamid and Army Chief Javed Bajwa. British infrastructure will also be helpful in achieving Washington’s goals in the region.
Tajikistan could be the first one to fall. It is a very poor country with very young population, corrupted regime and potentially strong Islamic movement. Every opportunity will be evaluated and tested.
Taliban knows very well that US and China are strong, while Russia is weak. Yesterday’s agreements with Moscow do not matter much.
Russian media and telegram are ridiculously confused about the Russia-Taliban contacts. It suddenly appeared that talibs actually asked Russia to help them with lifting sanctions imposed on their organization.
Talibs deserve credit for their sense of humor, as they asked for help Russia which is heavily sanctioned itself. Anyway, the Russian approach to the coming problems in Central Asia is indeed mixed, as Mark Episkopos points out in his National Interest article.
One thing is obvious: aging Russian leaders struggle to follow the rapid changes in the modern world. When Taliban starts to pressure its neighboring Russian allies, it could be too much for Russia. Russian positions are indeed weak, but it is not that simple.
The real question is whether Russia itself is slowly falling out of history.
Talibs deserve credit for their sense of humor, as they asked for help Russia which is heavily sanctioned itself. Anyway, the Russian approach to the coming problems in Central Asia is indeed mixed, as Mark Episkopos points out in his National Interest article.
One thing is obvious: aging Russian leaders struggle to follow the rapid changes in the modern world. When Taliban starts to pressure its neighboring Russian allies, it could be too much for Russia. Russian positions are indeed weak, but it is not that simple.
The real question is whether Russia itself is slowly falling out of history.
Kremlin has published Vladimir Putin's article on Russia and Ukraine. It openly promotes Russian nationalism and even chauvinism. We will elaborate on its details later, but there is no doubt that not only Ukranians understand Putin's nationalist aggressive sentiment and its possible consequences.
Belarusians first of all.
The more Putin uses openly nationalist language, the less chances Russia has to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours. Biden should give his junior partner a call and thank him on behalf the US. Good job.
Belarusians first of all.
The more Putin uses openly nationalist language, the less chances Russia has to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours. Biden should give his junior partner a call and thank him on behalf the US. Good job.
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin-Galkovsky
Russian nationalist sentiment denies the very existence of Ukranian and Belarusian identities, and that’s what Putin claimed in his article. Nonetheless, the aging president is being widely ridiculed in Telegram.
The article is basically an aggressive territorial claim against Ukraine and all post-Soviet states. The funniest parts of Putin's text are the ideas of once popular Russian pop-conspiracy chauvinist blogger Dmitry Galkovsky.
Putin single-handedly proved right all the Western media and politicians, who make their living of the „aggressive Russia’’ narrative. He is well out of time, though. Putin could be viewed as a protector of Russians in 2014, after the takeover of Crimea.
It is 2021 now, and Putin is an aging corrupted leader of a declining country with no cultural attractiveness whatsoever. The article was written for poor Russians only, because there is hardly anyone in Ukraine or Belarus who wants to be a Russian.
The aging president could as well cry about it, with all this chauvinist Galkovsky-like nonsense. He just doesn’t have an adequate language to understand and describe the reality.
Russian nationalist sentiment denies the very existence of Ukranian and Belarusian identities, and that’s what Putin claimed in his article. Nonetheless, the aging president is being widely ridiculed in Telegram.
The article is basically an aggressive territorial claim against Ukraine and all post-Soviet states. The funniest parts of Putin's text are the ideas of once popular Russian pop-conspiracy chauvinist blogger Dmitry Galkovsky.
Putin single-handedly proved right all the Western media and politicians, who make their living of the „aggressive Russia’’ narrative. He is well out of time, though. Putin could be viewed as a protector of Russians in 2014, after the takeover of Crimea.
It is 2021 now, and Putin is an aging corrupted leader of a declining country with no cultural attractiveness whatsoever. The article was written for poor Russians only, because there is hardly anyone in Ukraine or Belarus who wants to be a Russian.
The aging president could as well cry about it, with all this chauvinist Galkovsky-like nonsense. He just doesn’t have an adequate language to understand and describe the reality.
Club of Pariahs
International pariah Alexander Lukashenko is visiting to Russia right after Taliban delegation. He is supposed to hold talks with his Russian counterpart on Saturday.
Taliban, Lukashenko, narcos in Venezuela – that’s how “superpower” goes.
Meanwhile pro-European party of Maia Sandu has won the majority in the parliament of Moldova, defeating pro-Russian communists and socialists. It is another failure of Kremlin and FSB, which once again showed that they are effective only in corruption and oppression of Russians.
Moldova’s move toward the West is inevitable not only because of its current pro-Western elites, it is clearly people’s choice.
Nobody wants to live like Russians, people always look for better, which is the West. The cultural war is lost.
International pariah Alexander Lukashenko is visiting to Russia right after Taliban delegation. He is supposed to hold talks with his Russian counterpart on Saturday.
Taliban, Lukashenko, narcos in Venezuela – that’s how “superpower” goes.
Meanwhile pro-European party of Maia Sandu has won the majority in the parliament of Moldova, defeating pro-Russian communists and socialists. It is another failure of Kremlin and FSB, which once again showed that they are effective only in corruption and oppression of Russians.
Moldova’s move toward the West is inevitable not only because of its current pro-Western elites, it is clearly people’s choice.
Nobody wants to live like Russians, people always look for better, which is the West. The cultural war is lost.
Russian Vaccination Crisis
Reuters reports that the developers of Sputnik V vaccine have repeatedly failed to provide data that regulators deem to be standard requirements of the drug approval process. According to Reuters, European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s review of the drug’s safety was delayed because a June 10 deadline to submit data on the vaccine's clinical trials was missed.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RFPI) denied these reports as attempts to prevent Sputnik V from getting an access to the European market. As usual, Russians referred to the attack of Western lobby.
Vaccination adventures of Russia strongly resemble tragicomedy. Failed delivery to Guatemala, incident with Slovakia, now this.
It’s not that Russian officials are usually lying, and RFPI’s Kirill Dmitriev, whose wife is a close friend of Putin’s daughter, is of course de-facto a very high-ranked official. It is the incompetence of the whole Russia public administration system.
They could fail to meet European requirements just because of their sheer incompetence. Reuter’s information perfectly explains why Putin and Russian state media promote Sputnik V out of all three Russian vaccines. Business as usual.
Reuters reports that the developers of Sputnik V vaccine have repeatedly failed to provide data that regulators deem to be standard requirements of the drug approval process. According to Reuters, European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s review of the drug’s safety was delayed because a June 10 deadline to submit data on the vaccine's clinical trials was missed.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RFPI) denied these reports as attempts to prevent Sputnik V from getting an access to the European market. As usual, Russians referred to the attack of Western lobby.
Vaccination adventures of Russia strongly resemble tragicomedy. Failed delivery to Guatemala, incident with Slovakia, now this.
It’s not that Russian officials are usually lying, and RFPI’s Kirill Dmitriev, whose wife is a close friend of Putin’s daughter, is of course de-facto a very high-ranked official. It is the incompetence of the whole Russia public administration system.
They could fail to meet European requirements just because of their sheer incompetence. Reuter’s information perfectly explains why Putin and Russian state media promote Sputnik V out of all three Russian vaccines. Business as usual.
The latest UNICEF report reflects the striking poverty in Russia. According to official sources, 9 mln Russians belong to the category of moderately of severely food insecure people.
The latest Rosstat (Federal Stat Agency) data, published yesterday, shows that 75% of Russian households fail to satisfy their basic needs.
Kremlin’s spokesman Peskov said that he cannot give any comment on this issue. Fairly so, because Russian public administration is about anything but the people.
What is Putin doing while Russians are literally surviving? Discussing Ukraine, glorifying Stalin’s approach to national policies and denying Ukranian and Belarusian identities the same way one German leader denied Austrian identity or Saddam Hussein denied Kuwaitis.
Those are the priorities of the regime.
The latest Rosstat (Federal Stat Agency) data, published yesterday, shows that 75% of Russian households fail to satisfy their basic needs.
Kremlin’s spokesman Peskov said that he cannot give any comment on this issue. Fairly so, because Russian public administration is about anything but the people.
What is Putin doing while Russians are literally surviving? Discussing Ukraine, glorifying Stalin’s approach to national policies and denying Ukranian and Belarusian identities the same way one German leader denied Austrian identity or Saddam Hussein denied Kuwaitis.
Those are the priorities of the regime.
Ukraine’s powerful Interior Minister Arsen Avakov resigned from his office. The case is quite obvious, and although Avakov resigned, he is not going anywhere. The interesting thing about his resignation is the enormous attention it drew in Russia.
Moscow’s Ukranian ressentiment is sometimes funny. “The Third Rome” is almost obsessed with Ukranian strongman. Russian telegram has been commenting on him non-stop.
Russian much ado is really about nothing. The whole excitement is the best showcase of Russia's provincial state of mind. It tries to be big dangerous, but is just a little vicious.
Moscow’s Ukranian ressentiment is sometimes funny. “The Third Rome” is almost obsessed with Ukranian strongman. Russian telegram has been commenting on him non-stop.
Russian much ado is really about nothing. The whole excitement is the best showcase of Russia's provincial state of mind. It tries to be big dangerous, but is just a little vicious.
The Russian authorities have banned the investigative outlet Proekt Media as an “undesirable organization” and blacklisted its journalists as “foreign agents.”
Looks like the latest investigation of Proekt on the wealth of Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and his contacts with notorious Izmailovsky criminal group was too much for Kremlin, so it decided to act the only way it really can – to ban, to cancel, to blacklist.
Anti-corruption investigations pose a threat only to corrupted regimes. Journalism is indeed not a crime. Corruption is. Proekt Media, stay strong.
Looks like the latest investigation of Proekt on the wealth of Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and his contacts with notorious Izmailovsky criminal group was too much for Kremlin, so it decided to act the only way it really can – to ban, to cancel, to blacklist.
Anti-corruption investigations pose a threat only to corrupted regimes. Journalism is indeed not a crime. Corruption is. Proekt Media, stay strong.
Dreams of Anschluss
Vladimir Putin’s text on Russians, Ukranians and Belarusians being one Russian nation has been added to the Russian military’s curriculum on Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s personal order.
Russia indeed resembles late Soviet Union. Its aging feudal rulers surely dream of Ukraine’s Anschluss, but Russia isn’t capable even of avoiding humiliations from Lukashenko.
Using Putin’s own words, “stupid and funny”.
Vladimir Putin’s text on Russians, Ukranians and Belarusians being one Russian nation has been added to the Russian military’s curriculum on Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s personal order.
Russia indeed resembles late Soviet Union. Its aging feudal rulers surely dream of Ukraine’s Anschluss, but Russia isn’t capable even of avoiding humiliations from Lukashenko.
Using Putin’s own words, “stupid and funny”.