A message from someone in Moscow

[Kath]

This is a message from a friend of mine in Moscow this week...

Thank you for the links. I follow the Ukranian news on Unian, but I don't go deep into details, it's just hard to read and watch. I hope Ukranians will get the invaders out of their land this year. If I got you right, you think that most Russians get only official news and information. You'll be surprised to know how many people doesn't believe official media, and just turn off tv, or switch channel. Since the war started, there are no even barely free media in Russia, but the internet is almost unlimited. In my opinion, at least every third Russian is against the war. I think that most of the people just don't watch the news and try not to think about the conflict. In the first days of war we gathered on streets, we demanded to stop the invasion to Ukraine. But unfortunately, by that time there were no public politicians who would lead the protest (Alexei Navalny was already jailed), so basically there was no leader. Many people were arrested back then (not me, I'm good runner!

). Soon new repression laws came out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_2022_war_censorship_laws


So now being against of aggression is officially illegal. Hopefully more and more people understand that war is a disaster and nothing justifies it. (sorry for the grammar mystakes. can't check spelling now) I would love to video chat with you!) When it would be comfortable to you?

That's my beloved friend friend for many years (20).  I will never abandon him, he's fought these kind of things for many years. He's in Moscow and evaded the mobilization stuff up to now.. I just pray that he will be OK and this horror will stop.

Moderator edit: Removed live link

 

[toxicweasel]

Stories like these remind me of the frog in the well. People reflecting a circle of their own friends onto the entire country without seeing a wider picture. You speak to the people who agree with you, then you go online and speak to the people who also agree with you.

Sure, many people may hate Putin, but you might be surprised that reasons may be completely different from what you'd expect. Many actually think that he isn't firm enough in defense of Russian interests.

It's quite naive if you believe that Russians would not rebel if there was a critical mass for it. Those are the same people who rebelled against the Tzar. Same ones who marched to the Moscow with bare hands in 90's.

It's not soviet era anymore when only source of information from abroad were radio stations like VOA or Free Europe. People have entire world on their palm and when they go online they do not have anything nice to read about themselves. Ie, Russia should be humiliated, demilitarized, dissolved - so it does not present a threat to the west anymore.

What do you think, how many of them will think "Holly crap, maybe Putin is right after all."?

Here we are, a year after the war started and regime change didn't happen, economy didn't collapse, they didn't run out of guns nor ammo.

And you know what it scary? Around 70% of the troops Russians started mobilizing last autumn isn't committed yet... I was shocked when I heard that. New troops who have been introduced to the fronts are actually mostly volunteers.

 

[toxicweasel]

And every 3rd person isn't that good at all. Out of 100 people that's 33.3 which leaves more than 65% in favor.... Taking out a bias since report is by the person who is against the war means that barely 30% is against. That's the most optimistic estimate.

Deducting the people who wouldn't be willing to take any action leaves just a handful that would.

 

[Kath]

I know the truth. you are delusional.  I speak to real people.  You don't!.

 

[toxicweasel]

I know the truth. you are delusional.  I speak to real people.  You don't!.

Can you post even a single post without personal attack in cases you do not like the answer?

I did simple estimate with numbers provided by YOU.

 

[Kath]

You have YOUR truth (a la Megan) and I have personal experience, talking to a REAL person in Moscow.

Can I suggest a Mod could lock this thread which goes nowhere... 'You said, he said' talk is not useful.

Unless of course anyone else has anything to add.

 

[toxicweasel]

You have YOUR truth (a la Megan) and I have personal experience, talking to a REAL person in Moscow.

Can I suggest a Mod could lock this thread which goes nowhere... 'You said, he said' talk is not useful.

Unless of course anyone else has anything to add.

It's YOUR truth, number is provided by YOU. Read what you wrote for heavens sake, every third person out of 100 is 33.33% and that is the most optimistic estimate, since it's coming from biased source its probably even less  than that.

No wonder you believe everything you hear and see, this is elementary school math....smh.

 

[dvernb]

Okay. This one has gone far enough.

Thread locked!