This week I was in Siberia and didn't follow the news thoroughly. Meanwhile some "coverage-demanding" events took place.
Shinzo Abe was assasinated. He wasn't a prime minister of Japan at the moment, but his influence on Liberal-Democratic party of Japan (ruling party for dozens of years (Japanese democracy, nothing to see here, keep moving) was rather significant.
For Russia it's slightly bad news, because Mr. Abe was the most pro-Russian prime minister of Japan possible. It's not that hard to achieve, because our relations with Japan are complicated, but he really tried to sign a peace treaty with Russia, urged Japanese business to invest more in Russian economy. Recently he claimed that Zelensky has his share of responsibility in escalation of the Ukrainian conflict. Still it should be noted that all attempts of Shinzo Abe to improve relations with Russia failed.
It's not that surprising, because in recent 200 years we had many conflicts. In XIXc-XXc Japanese and Russian empires were rivals, who tried to control as many Chinese and Korean territories, as possible. These contradictions led to Russo-Japanese war 1904-1905, which was lost by Russia. Southern part of Sakhalin island and whole Kuril archipelago became Japanese territories. After the October revolution in Russia the Allies, including Japan, organized military intervention in Russian Civil war. The Japanese expeditionary forces were trying to annex occupied territories in the Russian Far East, including Vladivostok. They failed, although the Japanese army was the last to leave Russia. So the bolsheviks didn't like the Japanese much, too.
Finally, after the WWII the USSR and Japan got territorial dispute which has not been resolved today: after capitulation Japan accepted the loss of Sakhalin island and the Kuril islands. The problem is some Kuril islands belong to Hokkaido province, and Japanese believe that these islands are "occupied" by Russia. Till now Russia and Japan didn't sign a peace treaty after the WWII. According to Moscow declaration (1956) Russia must return two islands to Japan after signing a peace treaty, but the Japanese want all four disputed islands.
Many tried to to resolve this issue, but only small progress was achieved. The Japanese got visa-free entry to the disputed islands (1991), Russia promised to facilitate the visits of those Japanese who lived on the disputed territories before the end of the WWII (1999), there was an agreement about Russo-Japanese economic cooperation on the islands, but all these initiatives were cancelled this spring. Now we are at the lowest point in our relatitions, and death of Mr. Abe may deepen the divide further.
#international #japan
Shinzo Abe was assasinated. He wasn't a prime minister of Japan at the moment, but his influence on Liberal-Democratic party of Japan (ruling party for dozens of years (Japanese democracy, nothing to see here, keep moving) was rather significant.
For Russia it's slightly bad news, because Mr. Abe was the most pro-Russian prime minister of Japan possible. It's not that hard to achieve, because our relations with Japan are complicated, but he really tried to sign a peace treaty with Russia, urged Japanese business to invest more in Russian economy. Recently he claimed that Zelensky has his share of responsibility in escalation of the Ukrainian conflict. Still it should be noted that all attempts of Shinzo Abe to improve relations with Russia failed.
It's not that surprising, because in recent 200 years we had many conflicts. In XIXc-XXc Japanese and Russian empires were rivals, who tried to control as many Chinese and Korean territories, as possible. These contradictions led to Russo-Japanese war 1904-1905, which was lost by Russia. Southern part of Sakhalin island and whole Kuril archipelago became Japanese territories. After the October revolution in Russia the Allies, including Japan, organized military intervention in Russian Civil war. The Japanese expeditionary forces were trying to annex occupied territories in the Russian Far East, including Vladivostok. They failed, although the Japanese army was the last to leave Russia. So the bolsheviks didn't like the Japanese much, too.
Finally, after the WWII the USSR and Japan got territorial dispute which has not been resolved today: after capitulation Japan accepted the loss of Sakhalin island and the Kuril islands. The problem is some Kuril islands belong to Hokkaido province, and Japanese believe that these islands are "occupied" by Russia. Till now Russia and Japan didn't sign a peace treaty after the WWII. According to Moscow declaration (1956) Russia must return two islands to Japan after signing a peace treaty, but the Japanese want all four disputed islands.
Many tried to to resolve this issue, but only small progress was achieved. The Japanese got visa-free entry to the disputed islands (1991), Russia promised to facilitate the visits of those Japanese who lived on the disputed territories before the end of the WWII (1999), there was an agreement about Russo-Japanese economic cooperation on the islands, but all these initiatives were cancelled this spring. Now we are at the lowest point in our relatitions, and death of Mr. Abe may deepen the divide further.
#international #japan
An extraordinary meeting of the State Duma has been scheduled for July 15. A number of telegram channels began to speculate that the meeting concerns Ukraine. Perhaps we are talking about the formal declaration of war. The agenda for this meeting was supposed to appear today, and it happened. The text begins with rather innocent-looking paragraph 2, devoted to trade regulations. This means that paragraph 1, the most important topic, has been removed for reasons of secrecy.
Well, we live in unpredictable times, so everything is possible. Although the formal declaration of war won't change the situation on the frontlines, since the hot phase of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict is already going. If it happens, we see the prologue of national mobilization.
If this parliament meeting is about Ukraine, it could concentrate on referendums in Kherson oblast and parts of Kharkov/Zaporozhye oblasts under Russian control. Also LPR can join Russia directly.
Or maybe nothing big will happen at all.
#war_in_ukraine
Well, we live in unpredictable times, so everything is possible. Although the formal declaration of war won't change the situation on the frontlines, since the hot phase of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict is already going. If it happens, we see the prologue of national mobilization.
If this parliament meeting is about Ukraine, it could concentrate on referendums in Kherson oblast and parts of Kharkov/Zaporozhye oblasts under Russian control. Also LPR can join Russia directly.
Or maybe nothing big will happen at all.
#war_in_ukraine
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For good or for bad, nothing life-changing happened. Some appointments in the govt were approved, new bills concerning economy were introduced, also some formalities were polished.
Meanwhile Russian producers make Twix replacement with Lynch reference. What a time to be alive.
#импортозамещение
Meanwhile Russian producers make Twix replacement with Lynch reference. What a time to be alive.
#импортозамещение
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Today Russia and Ukraine agreed on the export of Ukrainian grain from three Black Sea ports. The UN and Turkey acted as mediators. I have not seen the text of the document, but the following export scheme is known:
1. Turkey and Ukraine will create corridors in minefields.
2. These corridors are for grain ships only.
3. Grain carriers will be escorted by Russian and Turkish warships.
These points leave at least two questions:
1. Who will inspect the ships and how? Many other cargoes can be carried along with grain.
2. How will hostilities in southern Ukraine be regulated? For example, a few weeks ago, Russia left Snake Island, now it is no man's land. Did Russia promised not to return there? Even more interesting is what will happen to the agreements if Ukraine tries to capture Kherson or Russia starts a campaign to take Nikolaev.
In general, Russia's position on Ukrainian grain looks soft. We are absolutely not obliged to help our enemy to export anything, especially since Russia is under sanctions and our export is difficult.
#grain #war_in_ukraine #international
1. Turkey and Ukraine will create corridors in minefields.
2. These corridors are for grain ships only.
3. Grain carriers will be escorted by Russian and Turkish warships.
These points leave at least two questions:
1. Who will inspect the ships and how? Many other cargoes can be carried along with grain.
2. How will hostilities in southern Ukraine be regulated? For example, a few weeks ago, Russia left Snake Island, now it is no man's land. Did Russia promised not to return there? Even more interesting is what will happen to the agreements if Ukraine tries to capture Kherson or Russia starts a campaign to take Nikolaev.
In general, Russia's position on Ukrainian grain looks soft. We are absolutely not obliged to help our enemy to export anything, especially since Russia is under sanctions and our export is difficult.
#grain #war_in_ukraine #international
Rather interesting takes by anti-Russian bloger. I believe most of the points can be understood in a completely opposite manner.
1. "Legitimacy." Sounds cool, means nothing.
2. "Removing the sanctions on Russian fertilizers." It is promised by the UN, which means nothing, the member-states can think differently. The obligations of the UN are written in memorandum. My advice: if you see "memorandum" or "declaration of intent", don't rely on that stuff much.
3, 5. "Russia can check ships, blockade continues." Yesterday it was full blockade, today it's partial blockade. I see an improvement for the Ukrainian side.
4. "Russia plays the role of Mother Teresa."Just as legitimacy, sounds cool, means nothing. The image of the country depends on the western media. If Russia does smth kind, they won't tell, and vice-versa. Maybe many years later, when everything would be history, they'll write smth more objective. Mother Teresa herself is a very good example of that: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/asia/mother-teresa-critic.html
6. "Russia will take Odessa and the agreement is over". What I see is Russia promised not to attack Odessa oblast for 120 days. That's a lot, now it's 148th day of Special Military Operation. So the timing doubled, then. I don't care much about the speed anymore, but now Ukrainian troops in Odessa can be sent to the frontlines or (who knows) attack Transnistria.
By writing all of this I want to show you that the grain deal gives Russia certain opportunities, and, at the same time, it creates new threats. The outcome depends on the Russian diplomats and the military. I hope they will use the deal to our advantage.
#war_in_ukraine #grain
1. "Legitimacy." Sounds cool, means nothing.
2. "Removing the sanctions on Russian fertilizers." It is promised by the UN, which means nothing, the member-states can think differently. The obligations of the UN are written in memorandum. My advice: if you see "memorandum" or "declaration of intent", don't rely on that stuff much.
3, 5. "Russia can check ships, blockade continues." Yesterday it was full blockade, today it's partial blockade. I see an improvement for the Ukrainian side.
4. "Russia plays the role of Mother Teresa."Just as legitimacy, sounds cool, means nothing. The image of the country depends on the western media. If Russia does smth kind, they won't tell, and vice-versa. Maybe many years later, when everything would be history, they'll write smth more objective. Mother Teresa herself is a very good example of that: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/27/world/asia/mother-teresa-critic.html
6. "Russia will take Odessa and the agreement is over". What I see is Russia promised not to attack Odessa oblast for 120 days. That's a lot, now it's 148th day of Special Military Operation. So the timing doubled, then. I don't care much about the speed anymore, but now Ukrainian troops in Odessa can be sent to the frontlines or (who knows) attack Transnistria.
By writing all of this I want to show you that the grain deal gives Russia certain opportunities, and, at the same time, it creates new threats. The outcome depends on the Russian diplomats and the military. I hope they will use the deal to our advantage.
#war_in_ukraine #grain
NY Times
A Critic’s Lonely Quest: Revealing the Whole Truth About Mother Teresa (Published 2016)
Dr. Aroup Chatterjee has spent hundreds of hours researching the soon-to-be saint. “I just thought that this myth had to be challenged,” he said.
Speaking of Serbia and Kosovo. One can say Russia needs conflicts everywhere, because they distract the West from Ukraine, our prime target. Maybe in some cases it is true, but not on the Balkans. If Russia is really interested in any conflict there, it must be a conflict where Serbia wins. Now it's impossible, so it's much better to keep things calm there.
Serbia is the most pro-Russian country in the world. Apart from historical dimension, the friendship has practical aspect. We give them cheap oil and gas, they support us politically. Since 2014 Serbia didn't implement anti-Russian sanctions and became a safe haven for Russian capital. Now their role as a financial intermediary is crucial, because many Russian banks can't operate in the western countries anymore. Also Serbia kept air connection with Russia and turned into the gate to Europe for many Russian citizens.
In hypothetic war against Albanians Serbian troops will face NATO forces right from the start. Then landlocked Serbia will get the blockade followed by the military defeat and regime change. Today it's the only scenario, so we should wait.
#international #serbia
Serbia is the most pro-Russian country in the world. Apart from historical dimension, the friendship has practical aspect. We give them cheap oil and gas, they support us politically. Since 2014 Serbia didn't implement anti-Russian sanctions and became a safe haven for Russian capital. Now their role as a financial intermediary is crucial, because many Russian banks can't operate in the western countries anymore. Also Serbia kept air connection with Russia and turned into the gate to Europe for many Russian citizens.
In hypothetic war against Albanians Serbian troops will face NATO forces right from the start. Then landlocked Serbia will get the blockade followed by the military defeat and regime change. Today it's the only scenario, so we should wait.
#international #serbia
When Russia signed "The Grain Deal" the EU allowed normal cargo transit between Kaliningrad oblast and mainland Russia. Officially these two things are not connected, it just happened on the same day, but many people believe in Russia-West shadow deals. Maybe they are real, maybe not. Anyway, it didn't last long. This time the Lithuanian bank which accepts transit fees from Russian railways refuses to continue. If nothing happens, the railroad transit will be stopped on the 1st of September.
I expected smth like this, that's why I didn't write about the renewal of transit and "great Russian diplomatic victory". For now the best way to deal with the West is shown by Gazprom. They diminished the supply of gas to Europe by 80% and demand the delievery of western equipment. Europe has already agreed to send the needed turbine, thus adding some exceptions to sanctions. Now Gazprom wants guarantees that these exceptions will be permanent. In my opinion Russian railways may remember that Lithuanians (and Europeans in general) use Russian transit to trade with Asian countries. It would be a shame if smth happened to it.
#international #kaliningrad
I expected smth like this, that's why I didn't write about the renewal of transit and "great Russian diplomatic victory". For now the best way to deal with the West is shown by Gazprom. They diminished the supply of gas to Europe by 80% and demand the delievery of western equipment. Europe has already agreed to send the needed turbine, thus adding some exceptions to sanctions. Now Gazprom wants guarantees that these exceptions will be permanent. In my opinion Russian railways may remember that Lithuanians (and Europeans in general) use Russian transit to trade with Asian countries. It would be a shame if smth happened to it.
#international #kaliningrad
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Drone and missile attacks on military objects in Crimea became a routine.
The first attack on the Black sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol was made by a small civil drone with a grenade on 31st of July, the day of the Russian Navy. It's a miracle that nobody died, although 6 people got hurt. The annual naval parade was cancelled this time.
Today the fleet HQ was attacked again, with Ukrainian drone PD-1 (as @rybar speculates), which has 450km range. Russian sailors shot it down with assault rifles, it fall on the roof. This case shows that drone protection measures are not implemented yet.
Meanwhile other military and infrastructure objects are under attack, too. Yesterday Russian anti-air shot down drones near the Crimean bridge and city of Kerch. For two days in a row Russian anti-air succesfully shoots down Ukrainian missiles near the city of Yevpatoria. Also Ukrainians tried to bomb the airfield of Belbek near Sevastopol. Today some drones were shot down above the village of Olenevka in the West of Crimea.
Djankoy district in the North of peninsula suffered from sabotage acts. On 16th of August ammunition depot was blown up. It is unknown whether it happened due drone attack or smth else. The explosion damaged the electricity plant and a railroad nearby. The fire on electricity plant can be a separate act of sabotage, it's under investigation now.
The most successful Ukrainian attack on Crimea happened on 10th of August, when (most probably) missile strikes hit Russian military airfield in the district of Saki. According to the official information, one person died. American satellites photos show that Russia lost 7 planes.
Some conclusions.
1. The buffer zone between Crimea and the frontlines is too small to prevent Ukraine from missile attacks.
2. Ukrainians have diversionists in Crimea, who use small drones.
3. The Black Sea Fleet HQ is not equipped with drone protection despite two attacks on its building.
4. Russian anti-air defense is mostly successful.
It should be noted that Crimea is one of the most significant summer resorts in Russia. In June it was visited by 815k tourists, which 40% less than in June 2021. This decline was caused by civil flights ban and geographical proximity to the frontlines.
#war_in_ukraine #crimea #sevastopol
The first attack on the Black sea Fleet HQ in Sevastopol was made by a small civil drone with a grenade on 31st of July, the day of the Russian Navy. It's a miracle that nobody died, although 6 people got hurt. The annual naval parade was cancelled this time.
Today the fleet HQ was attacked again, with Ukrainian drone PD-1 (as @rybar speculates), which has 450km range. Russian sailors shot it down with assault rifles, it fall on the roof. This case shows that drone protection measures are not implemented yet.
Meanwhile other military and infrastructure objects are under attack, too. Yesterday Russian anti-air shot down drones near the Crimean bridge and city of Kerch. For two days in a row Russian anti-air succesfully shoots down Ukrainian missiles near the city of Yevpatoria. Also Ukrainians tried to bomb the airfield of Belbek near Sevastopol. Today some drones were shot down above the village of Olenevka in the West of Crimea.
Djankoy district in the North of peninsula suffered from sabotage acts. On 16th of August ammunition depot was blown up. It is unknown whether it happened due drone attack or smth else. The explosion damaged the electricity plant and a railroad nearby. The fire on electricity plant can be a separate act of sabotage, it's under investigation now.
The most successful Ukrainian attack on Crimea happened on 10th of August, when (most probably) missile strikes hit Russian military airfield in the district of Saki. According to the official information, one person died. American satellites photos show that Russia lost 7 planes.
Some conclusions.
1. The buffer zone between Crimea and the frontlines is too small to prevent Ukraine from missile attacks.
2. Ukrainians have diversionists in Crimea, who use small drones.
3. The Black Sea Fleet HQ is not equipped with drone protection despite two attacks on its building.
4. Russian anti-air defense is mostly successful.
It should be noted that Crimea is one of the most significant summer resorts in Russia. In June it was visited by 815k tourists, which 40% less than in June 2021. This decline was caused by civil flights ban and geographical proximity to the frontlines.
#war_in_ukraine #crimea #sevastopol
Darya Dugina, daughter of Alexander Dugin, was assasinated in car explosion. It seems the car was used by the father, so the bomb was intended to kill him. Darya also was a conservative philosopher and shared Alexander Dugin's worldview, including his support of Novorossiya. I'm pretty sure Ukrainians made their move this time.
You know, when you write the news items, it's usually smth bad: natural disasters, wars, crimes etc.
Today, in desperate attempt to change this I'll write about a good thing: Lithuanian banks changed their mind and approved financial operations with Russian side. For now, but just for now, the issue of #kaliningrad transit doesn't exist. The future will tell how long this will stay. Still, I'm happy for Kaliningrad oblast, one of my favourite regions in Russia.
P.S. there were some questions about Dugin, I'll express my opinion on him tomorrow
Today, in desperate attempt to change this I'll write about a good thing: Lithuanian banks changed their mind and approved financial operations with Russian side. For now, but just for now, the issue of #kaliningrad transit doesn't exist. The future will tell how long this will stay. Still, I'm happy for Kaliningrad oblast, one of my favourite regions in Russia.
P.S. there were some questions about Dugin, I'll express my opinion on him tomorrow
👍1
About spy scandal in Albania.
After the collapse of the USSR many places on its vast territory were abandoned by people: military/naval bases and installments, scientific stations, lighthouses etc. The depopulation process hit Russian rural territories very hard, so it's not a problem to find whole villages that stand empty. One of my childhood memories is about playing in closed steel plant.
There are people who like visiting such places, me included. That's a type of tourism, to watch some "zabroshkas". In Russian zabroshenny means abandoned, so I can roughly translate a slang word "zabroshka" as "abandee".
Sometimes visiting abandoned places is difficult and dangerous. The object can be far away, its structure is not always safe. Also some facilities can be active de-jure or be mothballed with security perimeter left. In worst case you walk in, make photos, upload them, and on the next day FSB detains you for "espionage" (article 276 of penal code, from 10 to 20 years in jail) or "illegal obtaining of information constituting a state secret" (article 283, 3 to 7 years in jail). Such was the fate of a Russian-Ukrainian bloger Andrey Pyzh with nicknames МШ and Urbanturizm. It is unknown exactly what happened, but in 2020 he was detained and later got arrested for 5 years.
So, yeah, Albania. Two Russians and one Ukrainian infiltrated an abandoned facility which produced AK assault rifles in the past. Turned out the facility is active, and operates in Ukrainian interest (sources: 1. I think so 2. Common sense. Military factory in post-socialist country now can work only for the one client). Due to unhappy coincidence the guys met the security and got detained. Moreover, the Ukrainian used pepper spray on the guard.
Later turned out that one of the Russians is Lаna Sator, a famous in narrow circles explorer of abandoned stuff. Once she was detained by FSB, but they let her go. Now she has a unique opportunity to compare FSB with Albanian counter-intelligence. Still, my take is she is not a spy. Spies don't have tg channels with their trips. I hope Russian embassy will help Lana get home.
#albania #international
After the collapse of the USSR many places on its vast territory were abandoned by people: military/naval bases and installments, scientific stations, lighthouses etc. The depopulation process hit Russian rural territories very hard, so it's not a problem to find whole villages that stand empty. One of my childhood memories is about playing in closed steel plant.
There are people who like visiting such places, me included. That's a type of tourism, to watch some "zabroshkas". In Russian zabroshenny means abandoned, so I can roughly translate a slang word "zabroshka" as "abandee".
Sometimes visiting abandoned places is difficult and dangerous. The object can be far away, its structure is not always safe. Also some facilities can be active de-jure or be mothballed with security perimeter left. In worst case you walk in, make photos, upload them, and on the next day FSB detains you for "espionage" (article 276 of penal code, from 10 to 20 years in jail) or "illegal obtaining of information constituting a state secret" (article 283, 3 to 7 years in jail). Such was the fate of a Russian-Ukrainian bloger Andrey Pyzh with nicknames МШ and Urbanturizm. It is unknown exactly what happened, but in 2020 he was detained and later got arrested for 5 years.
So, yeah, Albania. Two Russians and one Ukrainian infiltrated an abandoned facility which produced AK assault rifles in the past. Turned out the facility is active, and operates in Ukrainian interest (sources: 1. I think so 2. Common sense. Military factory in post-socialist country now can work only for the one client). Due to unhappy coincidence the guys met the security and got detained. Moreover, the Ukrainian used pepper spray on the guard.
Later turned out that one of the Russians is Lаna Sator, a famous in narrow circles explorer of abandoned stuff. Once she was detained by FSB, but they let her go. Now she has a unique opportunity to compare FSB with Albanian counter-intelligence. Still, my take is she is not a spy. Spies don't have tg channels with their trips. I hope Russian embassy will help Lana get home.
#albania #international
👍3
First, I don't like Dugin, so I'm kinda biased here.
He is a philosopher, who took a lot from so-called the New Right (Nouvelle Droite). That is antiglobalism, traditionalism, support of spirituality etc. Dugin entered Nazbol party with Limonov and others. He mixed right wing traditionalism and leftist welfare + the USSR nostalgia. Later his ideas developed as de-facto anti-nationalist. His most important contribution to theory was the new iteration of Eurasionism (at first it was the idea of White Russians in immigration). In short this idea was "we must unite with Iran, China, India, Middle Asia against the West (Atlantists). While Russian nationalists believe Ukraine is a problem per se, Dugin thinks that it's the West to blame for the conflict.
It is popular opinion in the West that Dugin was or is influential in Russian politics, he advised Putin and so on. That's wrong perception, because Russian elites are too cynical and soulles to listen to idealists, whether they are communists, nationalists, liberals or someone else. Dugin has never hold any govt position, his views in a whole are marginal. To say more, in previous decade he lost his professor seat at MSU after too "radical" expression of Novorossiya support and almost completely dissappeared from TV, except Tsargrad channel which is not very popular.
Why the Westerners know him? Well, Dugin fits into stereotypes about Russia. A man with beard with ultraconservative views, "advisor of Putin". For me it's yet another incarnation of "Rasputin sex machine", whose image is also very famous in the West.
What I don't like in Dugin
Basically I don't like satanists who convert to Christianity (he was a big fan of Aleister Crowley in young years) and start teaching me how to live. All his views in pure form are about ethnic Russians who must accept massive migration from Muslim countries, live in poor conditions and fight the West. Not interested, sorry.
What I like in Dugin
He is a good scholar. His lectures on international relations and philosophy are well-written and helped me a lot more than once. Sometimes he can write good stuff, knows a lot of languages, also he arranged some very interesting postmodern perfomances, so I may call him a talented director, too. Also I respect people who are open for discussion. Dugin constantly argues with right/left liberals, communists and others. He is very social, it's not very hard to establish connection with him. I met him in person only once, but I know some people who were partying at his place. The last but not least, Dugin is a meme fuel. You can't imagine how many funny stories are about him, and how many funny speeches he made.
I've never expected Dugin to become a tragic figure, a father, who lost his child in a struggle against the western puppets. Maybe we will witness a new Dugin soon.
He is a philosopher, who took a lot from so-called the New Right (Nouvelle Droite). That is antiglobalism, traditionalism, support of spirituality etc. Dugin entered Nazbol party with Limonov and others. He mixed right wing traditionalism and leftist welfare + the USSR nostalgia. Later his ideas developed as de-facto anti-nationalist. His most important contribution to theory was the new iteration of Eurasionism (at first it was the idea of White Russians in immigration). In short this idea was "we must unite with Iran, China, India, Middle Asia against the West (Atlantists). While Russian nationalists believe Ukraine is a problem per se, Dugin thinks that it's the West to blame for the conflict.
It is popular opinion in the West that Dugin was or is influential in Russian politics, he advised Putin and so on. That's wrong perception, because Russian elites are too cynical and soulles to listen to idealists, whether they are communists, nationalists, liberals or someone else. Dugin has never hold any govt position, his views in a whole are marginal. To say more, in previous decade he lost his professor seat at MSU after too "radical" expression of Novorossiya support and almost completely dissappeared from TV, except Tsargrad channel which is not very popular.
Why the Westerners know him? Well, Dugin fits into stereotypes about Russia. A man with beard with ultraconservative views, "advisor of Putin". For me it's yet another incarnation of "Rasputin sex machine", whose image is also very famous in the West.
What I don't like in Dugin
Basically I don't like satanists who convert to Christianity (he was a big fan of Aleister Crowley in young years) and start teaching me how to live. All his views in pure form are about ethnic Russians who must accept massive migration from Muslim countries, live in poor conditions and fight the West. Not interested, sorry.
What I like in Dugin
He is a good scholar. His lectures on international relations and philosophy are well-written and helped me a lot more than once. Sometimes he can write good stuff, knows a lot of languages, also he arranged some very interesting postmodern perfomances, so I may call him a talented director, too. Also I respect people who are open for discussion. Dugin constantly argues with right/left liberals, communists and others. He is very social, it's not very hard to establish connection with him. I met him in person only once, but I know some people who were partying at his place. The last but not least, Dugin is a meme fuel. You can't imagine how many funny stories are about him, and how many funny speeches he made.
I've never expected Dugin to become a tragic figure, a father, who lost his child in a struggle against the western puppets. Maybe we will witness a new Dugin soon.
👍4
Yesterday the special military operation in Ukraine celebrated its 6th month anniversary. The holiday coincided with Ukrainian independence day, so Russian troops made the date unforgettable with missile strikes and operations of strategic bombers (rare guests in Ukrainian sky).
The frontline changes very slowly, in recent two or even three weeks the Russians liberated some villages in DPR, Kharkov and Nikolaev oblasts. Some experts claim that grand offensive will start soon, but I hear these talks all six months. If something happens, I'll write about it.
Previous milestone
The frontline changes very slowly, in recent two or even three weeks the Russians liberated some villages in DPR, Kharkov and Nikolaev oblasts. Some experts claim that grand offensive will start soon, but I hear these talks all six months. If something happens, I'll write about it.
Previous milestone
Telegram
Russia 101
100 days of war
All experts expected two things.
First, Russian army must have defeated Ukraine quickly. Maybe in a week, maybe in two weeks. Then Special military operation should have turned into police operation with detention of Ukrainian nationalists…
All experts expected two things.
First, Russian army must have defeated Ukraine quickly. Maybe in a week, maybe in two weeks. Then Special military operation should have turned into police operation with detention of Ukrainian nationalists…
A few words about nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye
ZNPP is the biggest in Ukraine (and Europe): it has six reactors, which generate 40bln kW h annualy, and four high-woltage power lines transfer the electricity in different directions. Russians took the plant in March, together with a town of Energodar, where the personnel lives. Most of the ZNPP workers stayed.
The situation on ZNPP is delicate. Ukrainian workers report both to Rosatom and (Ukrainian) Energoatom, the electricity goes (until today) to the territories taken by the Russians and those which stayed under Ukrainian control. There are three reasons why the work organized in such manner.
1. The staff at ZNPP is 11k people. All of them cannot be replaced by the Russians. So Rosatom just sent supervisors.
2. The plant is in Ukrainian energy system. Any changes, like cutting off electricity supply to some areas, require coordination, otherwise it can lead to the disasters on voltage lines, or worse.
3. Humanitarian reasons. The electricity shortage will affect civillians on the Ukrainian side.
Since July the plant has become a target for Ukrainian artillery and drones. It should be noted that the reactors are built in the blocks which can withstand not only artillery shelling, but the direct hit of long-haul aircraft. What do Ukrainians want? At first I thought that they want to clear the plant from Russians and working personnel, causing shut down of the reactors. This will affect Russian territories more, because Ukrainians can redistribute the juice within their system, although that will be a sacrifice for them, too. Now I think that nuclear disaster is an option.
The reactors were built in the Soviet times, and till 2014 they used Soviet, than Russian fuel. After Donbass conflict Ukrainians switched to American supplier, which, unlike Rosatom, doesn't provide recycling of nuclear waste. The used fuel is put into storage near the power plant. The storage is also protected, but it can't endure long work of the artillery. Technically it's possible to wait for the west wind and hit the storage with missiles. This will cause a nuclear disaster in Zaporozhye oblast, and possibly in DPR, LPR, Russia. Since all western media claim that... Russians shoot at the power plant they control, I have no doubts all consequences of Ukrainian strikes will be Russian problem.
In recent two days all four voltage lines were cut due to Ukrainian attacks. Today only those lines were restored, which connect Russian-controlled areas and the plant. For a time Kherson and other cities were without electricity, but now it's fine.
#zaporozhye
ZNPP is the biggest in Ukraine (and Europe): it has six reactors, which generate 40bln kW h annualy, and four high-woltage power lines transfer the electricity in different directions. Russians took the plant in March, together with a town of Energodar, where the personnel lives. Most of the ZNPP workers stayed.
The situation on ZNPP is delicate. Ukrainian workers report both to Rosatom and (Ukrainian) Energoatom, the electricity goes (until today) to the territories taken by the Russians and those which stayed under Ukrainian control. There are three reasons why the work organized in such manner.
1. The staff at ZNPP is 11k people. All of them cannot be replaced by the Russians. So Rosatom just sent supervisors.
2. The plant is in Ukrainian energy system. Any changes, like cutting off electricity supply to some areas, require coordination, otherwise it can lead to the disasters on voltage lines, or worse.
3. Humanitarian reasons. The electricity shortage will affect civillians on the Ukrainian side.
Since July the plant has become a target for Ukrainian artillery and drones. It should be noted that the reactors are built in the blocks which can withstand not only artillery shelling, but the direct hit of long-haul aircraft. What do Ukrainians want? At first I thought that they want to clear the plant from Russians and working personnel, causing shut down of the reactors. This will affect Russian territories more, because Ukrainians can redistribute the juice within their system, although that will be a sacrifice for them, too. Now I think that nuclear disaster is an option.
The reactors were built in the Soviet times, and till 2014 they used Soviet, than Russian fuel. After Donbass conflict Ukrainians switched to American supplier, which, unlike Rosatom, doesn't provide recycling of nuclear waste. The used fuel is put into storage near the power plant. The storage is also protected, but it can't endure long work of the artillery. Technically it's possible to wait for the west wind and hit the storage with missiles. This will cause a nuclear disaster in Zaporozhye oblast, and possibly in DPR, LPR, Russia. Since all western media claim that... Russians shoot at the power plant they control, I have no doubts all consequences of Ukrainian strikes will be Russian problem.
In recent two days all four voltage lines were cut due to Ukrainian attacks. Today only those lines were restored, which connect Russian-controlled areas and the plant. For a time Kherson and other cities were without electricity, but now it's fine.
#zaporozhye
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