Oh goody. [RIA Novosti]

Things are getting extremely weird. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/fear-and-loathing-on-the-home-front

The likelihood of Russia leaving the WHO—or even just politely declining to follow Collective West, Bill Gates-funded “health recommendations”—is rapidly approaching 0%. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/russia-revives-virus-scam-right-on

We asked a Russian media veteran some questions. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/us-vs-russia-who-will-win-the-scam

Igor Strelkov’s Angry Patriots Club (КРП) has published a list of questions it has about Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Most of their questions are highly pertinent; some of them are a bit superfluous; a few—in your correspondent’s humble opinion—are misguided and a bit silly.

But we decided to publish them all in hopes of starting a dialogue, and (this is really too hopeful) widening the abysmally narrow Overton Window that is asphyxiating “alternative media” coverage of this increasingly bizarre and precarious conflict. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/39-questions-about-the-war-in-ukraine

Can we start discussing the realities of this conflict in a more open way, without the in-group amnesia and stubborn denialism (from all Sides)?

Aren’t people tired of the perpetual “just two more weeks” news loop—a phenomenon we’ve seen before, and one that definitely lasted longer than just two weeks? https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/russias-smo-a-timeline-of-premonitions

Herman Gref—colloquially known as “Russia’s friendliest banker”, “Klaus Schwab’s rentboy”, or sometimes “the Kabbalah-scholar who funded safe and effective Sputnik V”—has a friendly new chat bot.

Its name? GigaChat. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/gigachat-grefs-chat-bot-is-already

Oil-for-rupees update: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed that Russian companies have "billions of rupees" stuck in Indian bank accounts: "We need to use this money, but for this, rupees must be converted into other currencies. This is being discussed." He said negotiations about settlements in rupees have run into problems, but haven't been completely abandoned. 🤷‍♂️ [Kommersant]

The rift between Western “alt media” and Russian “alt media” is so massive that it’s almost as if they’re talking about two different wars. And they are. The problem is, only one of these wars actually exists. Which one?

All I ask for is a level playing field, where we can all work together, in good-faith and good cheer, to answer the elusive question: What the heck is going on in Ukraine? https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/maybe-prigozhin-is-just-really-stressed

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has introduced new "public health measures". In 10 districts of the Russian capital, public events with animals are now prohibited, as well as the transportation of birds, hatching eggs, and bird feed. Agricultural fairs (farmers markets, etc.) have also been banned. Goodbye COVID, hello bird flu? 🫠🥂 [source: News.ru / Mos.ru]

"Science" has become a global death cult. [Gazeta.ru]

Whether the global reserve currency is the US dollar, or Pokémon cards, or a digital ruble pegged to borscht, nothing will fundamentally change for Russians if their political elites continue their time-honored tradition of stubbornly refusing to invest in Russia. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/its-time-for-russia-to-turn-inward

Has the war in Ukraine cleansed Moscow of its infamous neoliberal parasites?

I emailed this question to academic and author Karine Bechet-Golovko, who graciously agreed to offer her thoughts on this often misunderstood subject. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/russias-neoliberal-elites-are-thriving

Herman Gref is plowing ahead with his Davos-inspired “client path” for Russia.

As part of his never-ending campaign to make life intolerable, the CEO of Russia’s largest vax-shilling bank has been methodically spreading the ESG Gospel. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/the-esg-agenda-is-marching-across

An incredible game of kick-the-can, with predictable results. Naturally, one has to ask what the endgame is. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/how-deep-is-russias-demographic-hole

Let’s not deceive ourselves, friends. Global Biosecurity Theater is forever. 🐔🐔

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/its-bird-flu-season-in-russia-time

“Ekaterina”, an expat and longtime Russia resident who gave up the comforts of the city for the blood, sweat, and kefir of village existence, detailed her quest for self-sufficiency in an exclusive interview with yours truly.

https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/living-off-the-land-in-rural-russia

St. Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov has extended COVID restrictions in the city until August 31. The "public health" measures include a ban on holding public rallies without special permission. [source: dp.ru]

Unpacking Russia's performance at the 76th World Health Assembly
https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/moscows-who-masochism