It’s been an eventful week in Russia.<\/p>\n
In chronological order:<\/p>\n
Prigozhin says war is being sabotaged by Russia\u2019s Deep State<\/strong><\/h3>\nWagner CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin published an article<\/a> on April 14 in which he made the following claims:<\/p>\n\n- \u201cThe strategic role of Bakhmut is not so great. Bakhmut is followed by Seversk, Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka and Chasov Yar \u2026 [T]he capture of Bakhmut itself will not ensure a short-term victory over Ukraine, the road to the Dnieper, or even the capture of Donbass.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThe US does not need a quick war\u201d. Washington wants to drag the conflict out as long as possible in order to destabilize Russia and \u201ccollapse [it] into many principalities\u201d.<\/li>\n
- Russia\u2019s Deep State, \u201ca community of near-state elites that operate independently of the political leadership of the state\u201d, is actively sabotaging the war effort.<\/li>\n
- To prevent the Deep State from making concessions to Washington, Russia should announce the successful completion of the \u201cspecial military operation\u201d and consolidate territorial gains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To summarize: An oligarch who is spearheading Russia\u2019s only discernable offensive in Ukraine says the war will continue for the foreseeable future, even if\/when Bakhmut is captured. Meanwhile, a powerful group of oligarchs and bureaucrats want to negotiate a backdoor deal with Washington that would have disastrous consequences for Russia.<\/p>\n
Shocking and outrageous claims? Only if you\u2019ve been getting your \u201cwar updates\u201d from YouTube.<\/p>\n
Strelkov\u2019s \u201cangry patriots\u201d release manifesto<\/strong><\/h3>\nIgor Strelkov\u2019s Club of Angry Patriots published a manifesto<\/a> on April 17. A few highlights:<\/p>\n\n- \u201cThe opportunity for a quick and bloodless victory over the Ukrainian state, which has become a weapon of NATO, was missed back in 2014 by the signing of the treacherous Minsk agreements. The military operation launched in 2022 could have gone according to a completely different scenario, but mediocre organization at the strategic, operational and tactical level led our country to a war of attrition.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cDefeat in the war will lead Russia to catastrophic consequences. The United States and NATO states do not hide their intentions to dismember the Russian Federation and bring the Russian people into submission under a new [Western] yoke.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThe military-political leadership of Russia does not realize the gravity of the situation.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThose who have transferred their capital and their loyalty to the West continue to remain in power and big business. They are ready for sabotage, as well as for direct collusion with the enemy and, therefore, betrayal. We do not rule out that they are preparing a pro-Western coup, capitulation and, consequently, the dismemberment of Russia.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cWe will counter this scenario [betrayal by those loyal to the West] with all available means.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Notably, Strelkov and Prigozhin, who don\u2019t particularly like each other (if you are familiar with their colorful history), are basically saying the exact same thing.<\/p>\n
Immortal Regiment canceled nationwide; May Day marches scaled back; a general crackdown on unruly proles<\/strong><\/h3>\nRussia\u2019s Supreme Court ruled on April 18<\/a> that writing unflattering things on the internet about Russian government officials is a felony punishable with a fine of up to 40,000 rubles, community service for up to 360 hours, or \u201ccorrective labor\u201d for up to one year.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Tass-article-excerpt.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nOn the same day, it was announced<\/a> that the \u201cImmortal Regiment\u201d\u2014a procession on Victory Day when Russians honor their relatives who fought in the Great Patriotic War\u2014would be canceled nationwide.<\/p>\nAlso on April 18: St. Petersburg canceled<\/a> its May Day march, citing \u201cCOVID restrictions\u201d\u2014joining the growing list<\/a> of regions that have zapped Pervoye Maya <\/em>festivities due to alleged Virus and\/or security concerns.<\/p>\nWe hate to point out the elephant in the room, but how can Russia be fighting to \u201cdenazify\u201d Ukraine while depriving its citizens the right to honor their relatives who \u2026. fought the Nazis?<\/p>\n
How is it that the residents of St. Petersburg go about their daily lives without any meaningful \u201cepidemiological\u201d restrictions, but for some reason aren\u2019t allowed to walk down the street carrying signs that read \u201cPeace! Labor! May!\u201d\u2014because of \u201ccoronavirus\u201d?<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, TASS confirmed<\/a> Moscow was using facial recognition cameras to track down tardy conscripts. (Nakanune published<\/a> an excellent article on this development, for those who are interested.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fear-and-loathing-in-Moscow2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\nOn the same day\u2014April 18\u2014legislation was adopted<\/a> that allows authorities to deprive naturalized citizens of their Russian citizenship, without trial, if they are accused of discrediting the Russian military.<\/p>\nYes, Saltykov-Shchedrin\u2019s timeless aphorism, \u201cthe severity of Russian laws is alleviated by the lack of obligation to fulfil them\u201d, still holds true today. But this is excessive even by Russian standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cRussia\u2019s digital sectarians have miscalculated\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\nA far-reaching bill on electronic military subpoenas, and the creation of a database of all military-eligible citizens, was signed into law<\/a> on Saturday after being blitzed through the Federal Assembly.<\/p>\nKatyusha.org\u2014a pro-Putin, pro-SMO alt media outlet run by conservative\/Orthodox firebrand Andrey Tsyganov\u2014described the new law as a \u201csocial rating system for conscripts and mobilized [reservists]\u201d in an article published<\/a> on April 18:<\/p>\nIt seems that it is no coincidence that only three hours passed between the appearance of the text of the law in the updated second reading and its final adoption by the parliament \u2026 [Under the law,] a citizen without a court decision is deprived of the right to free movement, to work as an individual entrepreneur (that is, the right to work), and the right to own and sell real estate. [\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\nIf, by tightening the screws, the digital sectarians in power hope to cause a surge of patriotism \u2026 we believe that they miscalculated. In practice, the effect will be just the opposite. <\/strong><\/p>\nFinally, a rhetorical question\u2014who is rocking society during a hot war with the West, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat the heck is happening in Russia?<\/p>\n
We report, you decide.<\/p>\n
- \n
- \u201cThe strategic role of Bakhmut is not so great. Bakhmut is followed by Seversk, Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka and Chasov Yar \u2026 [T]he capture of Bakhmut itself will not ensure a short-term victory over Ukraine, the road to the Dnieper, or even the capture of Donbass.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThe US does not need a quick war\u201d. Washington wants to drag the conflict out as long as possible in order to destabilize Russia and \u201ccollapse [it] into many principalities\u201d.<\/li>\n
- Russia\u2019s Deep State, \u201ca community of near-state elites that operate independently of the political leadership of the state\u201d, is actively sabotaging the war effort.<\/li>\n
- To prevent the Deep State from making concessions to Washington, Russia should announce the successful completion of the \u201cspecial military operation\u201d and consolidate territorial gains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To summarize: An oligarch who is spearheading Russia\u2019s only discernable offensive in Ukraine says the war will continue for the foreseeable future, even if\/when Bakhmut is captured. Meanwhile, a powerful group of oligarchs and bureaucrats want to negotiate a backdoor deal with Washington that would have disastrous consequences for Russia.<\/p>\n
Shocking and outrageous claims? Only if you\u2019ve been getting your \u201cwar updates\u201d from YouTube.<\/p>\n
Strelkov\u2019s \u201cangry patriots\u201d release manifesto<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Igor Strelkov\u2019s Club of Angry Patriots published a manifesto<\/a> on April 17. A few highlights:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \u201cThe opportunity for a quick and bloodless victory over the Ukrainian state, which has become a weapon of NATO, was missed back in 2014 by the signing of the treacherous Minsk agreements. The military operation launched in 2022 could have gone according to a completely different scenario, but mediocre organization at the strategic, operational and tactical level led our country to a war of attrition.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cDefeat in the war will lead Russia to catastrophic consequences. The United States and NATO states do not hide their intentions to dismember the Russian Federation and bring the Russian people into submission under a new [Western] yoke.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThe military-political leadership of Russia does not realize the gravity of the situation.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cThose who have transferred their capital and their loyalty to the West continue to remain in power and big business. They are ready for sabotage, as well as for direct collusion with the enemy and, therefore, betrayal. We do not rule out that they are preparing a pro-Western coup, capitulation and, consequently, the dismemberment of Russia.\u201d<\/li>\n
- \u201cWe will counter this scenario [betrayal by those loyal to the West] with all available means.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Notably, Strelkov and Prigozhin, who don\u2019t particularly like each other (if you are familiar with their colorful history), are basically saying the exact same thing.<\/p>\n
Immortal Regiment canceled nationwide; May Day marches scaled back; a general crackdown on unruly proles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Russia\u2019s Supreme Court ruled on April 18<\/a> that writing unflattering things on the internet about Russian government officials is a felony punishable with a fine of up to 40,000 rubles, community service for up to 360 hours, or \u201ccorrective labor\u201d for up to one year.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nOn the same day, it was announced<\/a> that the \u201cImmortal Regiment\u201d\u2014a procession on Victory Day when Russians honor their relatives who fought in the Great Patriotic War\u2014would be canceled nationwide.<\/p>\n
Also on April 18: St. Petersburg canceled<\/a> its May Day march, citing \u201cCOVID restrictions\u201d\u2014joining the growing list<\/a> of regions that have zapped Pervoye Maya <\/em>festivities due to alleged Virus and\/or security concerns.<\/p>\n
We hate to point out the elephant in the room, but how can Russia be fighting to \u201cdenazify\u201d Ukraine while depriving its citizens the right to honor their relatives who \u2026. fought the Nazis?<\/p>\n
How is it that the residents of St. Petersburg go about their daily lives without any meaningful \u201cepidemiological\u201d restrictions, but for some reason aren\u2019t allowed to walk down the street carrying signs that read \u201cPeace! Labor! May!\u201d\u2014because of \u201ccoronavirus\u201d?<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, TASS confirmed<\/a> Moscow was using facial recognition cameras to track down tardy conscripts. (Nakanune published<\/a> an excellent article on this development, for those who are interested.)<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\nOn the same day\u2014April 18\u2014legislation was adopted<\/a> that allows authorities to deprive naturalized citizens of their Russian citizenship, without trial, if they are accused of discrediting the Russian military.<\/p>\n
Yes, Saltykov-Shchedrin\u2019s timeless aphorism, \u201cthe severity of Russian laws is alleviated by the lack of obligation to fulfil them\u201d, still holds true today. But this is excessive even by Russian standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cRussia\u2019s digital sectarians have miscalculated\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n
A far-reaching bill on electronic military subpoenas, and the creation of a database of all military-eligible citizens, was signed into law<\/a> on Saturday after being blitzed through the Federal Assembly.<\/p>\n
Katyusha.org\u2014a pro-Putin, pro-SMO alt media outlet run by conservative\/Orthodox firebrand Andrey Tsyganov\u2014described the new law as a \u201csocial rating system for conscripts and mobilized [reservists]\u201d in an article published<\/a> on April 18:<\/p>\n
It seems that it is no coincidence that only three hours passed between the appearance of the text of the law in the updated second reading and its final adoption by the parliament \u2026 [Under the law,] a citizen without a court decision is deprived of the right to free movement, to work as an individual entrepreneur (that is, the right to work), and the right to own and sell real estate. [\u2026]<\/strong><\/p>\n
If, by tightening the screws, the digital sectarians in power hope to cause a surge of patriotism \u2026 we believe that they miscalculated. In practice, the effect will be just the opposite. <\/strong><\/p>\n
Finally, a rhetorical question\u2014who is rocking society during a hot war with the West, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n
What the heck is happening in Russia?<\/p>\n
We report, you decide.<\/p>\n