Putin’s allies outraged: Young Russians don’t want to die in Ukraine


Photo illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

Photo illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

As Russian invasion of Ukraine There is a dark undercurrent of waning public support, even on tightly controlled national television. The masses were promised a swift victory Due to the superiority of the Russian army. Instead, the Kremlin offensive big loss A commentator on state television has even publicly considered seeking help and support from other pariah states, including Iran and North Korea.

Russia is reportedly involved Talks with Iran Purchasing military drones as there is a serious shortage of own unmanned aerial vehicles. His military expert Igor Korotchenko suggested during Thursday’s broadcast of the national television program 60 Minutes: North Korea can help rebuild destroyed regions of Ukraine and join the Russian army. Conversations about legalizing the participation of foreign fighters with the Russian military have repeatedly been the topic of state media, and for good reason. The public is not too enthusiastic about the prospect of going to war or dying for Putin. State television host Vladimir Solovyov— Russian President Vladimir Putin has twice formally recognized his deeds for his country.

During the broadcast of his program on Thursday, Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, the organizers complained: We either stand up, build up and reach another level, or simply cease to exist. His guest, political scientist Alexander Kamkin, agreed and suggested conducting a “cultural special operation” in Russia.

Although the Kremlin keeps tight control over information made available to the public, it cannot restrict access to outside sources, and tensions have reached such a boiling point that it decided to hand out a guilty verdict during Solovyov’s show on Monday. Russian agent Maria Butina, who received it, has suggested jailing parents whose children are using VPNs to access foreign information. media. The moderator was similarly disappointed by the lackluster involvement of the younger generation in Putin’s war, complaining: [the military] Mostly my age, some younger… A generation brought up on Soviet cinema, Soviet literature, values. But the very young people I talk to faint when they cut their fingers. They see it as a democratic value… Special Military Operations is our Rubicon. I feel that a lot of people here still can’t figure it out. “

Writer Zakhar Prilepin, who is wanted by the Ukrainian SBU Security Service on charges of “participating in the activities of a terrorist organization” for involvement in Russian war crimes in Ukraine, added: We need to replace displaced personnel. Meanwhile, the topic of death is silenced. The topic of perdition is reduced. You can’t talk about death in a society whose motto is peace. Everyone is expected to go to war, win, and come back alive. Better yet, don’t go in the first place. Let me remind you that the Charter of the Imperial Army contains plain language. If you have 3 enemies, go to war and move forward and kill all 3 of them. If you have 10 people, protect yourself. If your death comes, die.It is written in very plain language: “Soldier, death is part of your business. [Joseph] Stalin received an orthodox Christian education. “

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Prilepin recited the lyrics of an old Soviet song titled “In the forest on the front line”. He argued that If you have to die, just do it once… This is part of your duty as a citizen, as a soldier, as a warrior, as a Russian. Today we protect governments, mothers, conscripts, everyone.We almost never forced the governor to put up a mural [of the fallen soldiers]… everyone is afraid of disrupting society. “

Prilepin is openly concerned that in the event of a general mobilization, the younger generation will choose to flee to neighboring countries rather than join the fight. So…we’ve been talking about difficult topics…that could lead to World War III, the same mobilization we’re trying to avoid now….speaking is difficult, because I fear that Armenia and Georgia will suddenly be flooded with masses of people. We need to close the borders. I’m talking about our younger generation. “

Solovyov suggested that the rules protecting conscripts from participating in combat should be changed. That our military conscripts shouldn’t fight… so what are they supposed to do in the army?” I complained that I didn’t. How many are fighting in Donbass? A state TV presenter has proposed a massive government-funded propaganda campaign, praising the participants in Russia’s so-called “special operations” with songs and poems on film and television.

Gone are the days when propagandists on state television predicted that other countries would flock to Russia’s side and join the fight against Ukraine and the West. During Thursday’s evening broadcast with Vladimir Solovyov, political scientist Sergei Mikheev summed up the current mood in Russia: Offer anything to anyone. We are special, so we must build ourselves. ” Solovyov agrees. ourselves!

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