what the fuck is happening in Russia?

I'm seven years older than that guy? Proof positive that when you accumulate wealth past a certain event horizon, it drains you into a husk more effectively than any leech or ghoul.

I mean, not to make excuses for late Russian oligarchs, but he looks about 50 to me.

oh shit, apparently there's a war going on

RIGA, Latvia — After nearly 10 months of war, but referring to the brutal invasion of Ukraine instead as “a special military operation,” Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday finally called it a “war” for the first time, setting off an uproar among antiwar Russians who have been prosecuted for merely challenging the Kremlin-approved euphemism.

“Our goal is not to spin this flywheel of a military conflict, but, on the contrary, to end this war,” Putin said during a televised news conference following a government meeting on Thursday. “This is what we are striving for.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/22/putin-war-ukraine-special-operation/

https://64.media.tumblr.com/d892e26be4d5c85bd78aad31b801fb6a/tumblr_mff7wxN8AF1rlho0no1_500.gif

love Putin's whole "Look, I didn't want this either" strategy

Russia’s richest MP mysteriously dies in India

In India, found the body of the richest deputy of Russia Pavel Antov. His body lay in a pool of blood under the windows of the hotel where he celebrated his 65th birthday.

The Russian Telegram channel Shot reports that the body of billionaire Antov was found on Saturday in Rayagad (Odisha state). Previously, it was established that the richest deputy of the Russian Federation fell from the third floor.

there is nowhere safe for these Russian billionaires on the hitlist, even if they buy a holiday on the ISS - they are going through the window.

It's just what the tabloids traditionally called "a gangland slaying".

when u come at the prez be careful not to fly out a window or off a balcomy

So clumsy

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sudden-russian-death-syndrome/ar-AA15MHof

Putin is increasingly isolated 👀!!!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/30/putin-isolated-russia-ukraine-war/

Has a special TV channel where he watches sables fight each other to the death

Feel like I've been seeing variations on that article since the day the invasion started.

Putin is not isolated from his secret police and state surveillance apparatus. So don't worry, he's still OK.

Great piece on the politics of protest in Russia and with a bit on Belarus.

I've been frustrated, depressed and alarmed at this "what's wrong with Russians for not rising up" debate, which I find dishonest, venal and dangerous. Since it's not going away, I took a stab at it. With lots of personal stories from Russia and beyond.⬇️https://t.co/E7PybmRQIs

— Almut Rochowanski (@rochowanski) January 11, 2023

I don't think anyone believes that Russians are not overthrowing their government because the population is egoistic and doesn't feel that strongly about the war in Ukraine or their own woes. Unless you know nothing of the world and where unhappy populations are controlled and repressed.

One up-and-coming Ukrainian journalist tweeted in all seriousness that Russians, unlike Ukrainians, “just don’t have a history of revolutions” (I’m not linking to her tweet, because that would be unkind).

lol

Ha, that could either be deep sarcasm or maybe an implicit "at least not GOOD ones."

I don't think anyone believes that Russians are not overthrowing their government because the population is egoistic and doesn't feel that strongly about the war in Ukraine or their own woes. Unless you know nothing of the world and where unhappy populations are controlled and repressed.

― Nabozo, Friday, 27 January 2023 bookmarkflaglink

Part of it is responding to discourse on twitter where sadly people do go off.

nazism in ukraine

Watched two of the BBC's Putin vs The West three part doc.

There's a lot of predictable hypocritical shit from those you'd expect (the UK PMs and associated high-ups especially). Talk of Russians bombing hospitals in Aleppo and then going back to hit them again (no suggestion of this being anything other than calculated)...no mention of Western Allies also hitting hospitals (if only via misdirection or incompetence) which was documented at the time.

Maybe the only worthwhile bits are when people, albeit with obvious bias, are quoting Putin and the contrast between those quotes demonstrating his blinkered ideological rhetoric and the predictable framing elsewhere in the doc of Putin as master poker player. Particularly in this case the late night bickering between Cameron and Putin that ensued after negotiations broke down with Cameron claiming he brought up LGBT rights ahead of Sochi 2014 only for Putin to actually trot out the 'if I give those rights we will have even fewer babies' as a defence.

All the footage of Putin (and Medvedev) hanging out in London, France, meeting Biden and Obama etc. only 8-10 years ago does look like from some distant parallel reality now.

This St.Petersburg cafe explosion thing seems fishy.

whatever the russian media reports will be what the russian government (aka Putin) thinks will gain him the most pro-war propaganda value. beyond that it's anyone's guess.

dunno what could be fishy about a propagandist blogger killed by an exploding trophy at a cafe owned by a mercenary warlord engaged in a power struggle with the ministry of defense

The only thing fishy is that the blogger dude didn't fall out a window while having a cigarette

This makes me think it was an explosive rigged Billy Bass trophy that took this guy out.

Film from Putin's latest cabinet meeting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psTfieh911M

5 1/4" Male Baseball Explosion Trophy Hand Painted Resin These Hand Painted resin trophies feature an Exploding Design that Explodes Right Out at You!

https://rumble.com/v2g4xfw-aussie-cossack-appeals-to-wagner-group-boss-evgeniy-prigozhin.html

Simeon Boikov with a list of suggestions of Australians and New Zealanders to Prigozhin to capture for a potential prisoner exchange between Russia and Australia

Probably more for the sovereign citizen thread, I'm not sure Prigozhin has time for this cat at the moment

Pretty interesting article on the relationship between Putin and the Russian vodka industry, including a history of just why vodka is so important to the Russian treasury:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/05/vladimir-putin-vodka-empire-00095109

Yeah read that yesterday — fascinating deep dive.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/05/22/senior-russian-official-dies-after-privately-bemoaning-fascist-invasion-a81223

Dodik back in Moscow again, not a good sign

OK Roman Super is a great real name.

Some interesting stuff on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/romasuper/posts/pfbid02acSu1nMWXWsxMFci4Q1aFKhrdR7GH1i18JENxLQtsMVHER96raJ9Fu5T1sziqrR5l

So, uh...

Following news that the FSB has charged Prigozhin with inciting an armed rebellion, he’s suddenly gone silent on Telegram...

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) June 23, 2023

Last seen hanging from a window ledge by his fingertips while black-suited men stamp on his hands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acl_k4Xav_A

Interesting interview with Russian volunteer medic who was on the Kharkiv front. The interviewer struggling a little bit but does a good job, though the guy is a touch unnerving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QGaKhiOCTo

Part II

A little less intense but might just be that I got used to his weird laughing at stuff. Thought the interviewer did a good job in keeping himself to a minimum

its pretty long altogether, nearly 2 hours, so there's a lot in it

- Has treated and worked with Wagner people, good guys and professional
- Doesn’t know whats behind Prigozhin’s recent turn, maybe the war changed him.
- Almost all injuries treated from mines or artillery, almost no bullet wounds of any kind
- Since going back to Moscow has received a lot of praise and gratitude from people for having the balls to go to the SMO
- Sanctions havent affected him personally other than unable to install Zoom on his phone
- Banking apps are more sophisticated in Russian than UK or Germany
- Corruption is normal in every country but has declined since the start of the SMO
- Support for the military is high, same for PMCs. There are a few percent against it but these malcontents exist in every country
- Ukrainians, Moldovans, and the Baltics are separatists and should be treated as such. Not real countries. Equivalent of Wales or Catalonia. I think same for everyone in post-soviet space but didn’t elaborate or mention specifically, and interviewer didn’t ask
- Has some level of respect for Ukrainians but they must understand they have to live within Russian borders
- Bucha was a psyop
- Hasn’t seen any torture or mistreatment only things like punching pows in the face nothing more serious. Hasn’t treated many Ukrainian POWs though, mostly Russians
- Constitution protects freedom of speech you might get a fine but thats probably it
- Nuclear strike is very unlikely because why would Russia strike their own lands
- War will be won but will probably need to draft another million
- “Loves the tsar hates laws passed by the Duma” (said a little tongue in cheek)
- Putin still thought of well, but is more of an arbiter than a dictator. There is no alternative anyway
- Everyone understands war was inevitable but why didn’t Putin do it in 2014. Too timid?
- Russia has been too soft. We know where the politicians live why do we not bomb them?

Blandly declaring that the nearly 50 million people who live in Ukraine, Moldava, or the Baltic nations must simply reconcile themselves to being reabsorbed by Russia because, uh, just because this is what they must do. Very persuasive.

Ehh, pretty sure Wales is a real country

Barely.

Blandly declaring that the nearly 50 million people who live in Ukraine, Moldava, or the Baltic nations must simply reconcile themselves to being reabsorbed by Russia because, uh, just because this is what they must do. Very persuasive.

I don't think he's particularly interested in persuasion. Its more a statement of fact as he sees it and that this would likely require force (which seems a strange tense to use as it is already requiring force). I don't know that there is anyone to persuade

Its more a statement of fact as he sees it

I understand, but there are no facts about the future, just beliefs.

For millions of people it is already a fact, and if he re-enlists for another stint he will be in the business of attempting to make it a fact for more . He is relatively explicit about this, and as a participant this is more than just beliefs

https://www.politico.eu/article/putin-give-account-post-mutiny-prigozhin-meeting-pmc-wagner-not-exist/

Asked whether the Wagner Private Military Company would remain a fighting unit, Putin seemingly became agitated.

“‘Well, the PMC Wagner does not exist!’ Vladimir Putin exclaimed,” according to Kommersant.