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

Today we will turn our gaze to a different Slavic nation, the wonderful but troubled Czech Republic. What’s been going on over there? https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/peace-has-become-a-dirty-word-in

An exclusive interview with the Independent Association of Doctors, which has arguably done more than any other group in Russia to raise awareness about the disastrous effects of “vaccines” and other WHO-endorsed “public health” measures. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/russian-medicine-is-controlled-by

Have a seat. Get relaxed. Take off your shoes. Actually, you need to put those back on immediately.

Would you like a nice little glass of chacha? Of course you would.

Now that you’re snug as a bug, I’d like to announce Edward Slavsquat’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2023 (blog-related news, updates, and policy reminders). https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/momentous-edward-updates

Russia's Ministry of Economic Development has launched a greenhouse gas emissions register as part of Moscow's plan of achieving "carbon neutrality" by 2060. [economy.gov.ru]

Gamarjoba. Welcome to Edward Slavsquat’s Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread. You have permission to shill any and all links in the comments section. Or just say hello! https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/at-least-we-have-each-other

Four years ago, on a sunny May afternoon in central Moscow, I found myself talking about video games with Russia’s top-rated chess player while buzzed on samogon.

But it was the series of events leading up to this unusual encounter that made it so memorable. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/discussing-video-games-with-russias

When Westerners decry the scary “6th columnists” in Russia, or have aneurisms when it’s pointed out that patriotic Russians are saying things about their own country that are strictly haram in Western “pro-Russia” alternative media, what they’re claiming—as far as I can tell—is this:

Independent-minded Russians don’t get to have a say in how their own country is talked about and understood in the West. That job is strictly reserved for Westerners, who often have no idea what they’re talking about. https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com/p/everyone-i-dont-agree-with-is-a-6th