Putin built a mythology around Crimea. Now he's building anti-drone nets around his dacha instead. That tells you everything about what was actually sacred.
Disgusting that Valdai is better defended than the Russian people at large.
I do not understand Putin's claims about the historical ties of Crimea to Russia. Yes, there was the Yalta Conference, but Crimea is notable (excluding Florence Nightingale) primarily as a lovely vacation spot and a source of massive amounts of fruit and fortified wines. Perhaps I am overlooking more historical events of note.
Putin's views of history are seriously flawed and biased (no surprise). Crimea became Russian in the 18th century only, not a 'native' Russian soil by any stretch of imagination..
I feel a lot of sympathy for those who live under this regime and in its occupied territories. Or at least for those who are not its corrupted diehard implementers and enthusiastic
supporters. The cost of dissent let alone opposition is too draconian to be contemplated. Russians have historically made significant contributions to humanity despite the perversions and depredations of their political tyrants. My particular passion is for classical and sacred music which their composers and performers have enriched immeasurably, albeit sadly in many cases in forced exile.
Hello Jack i have long wondered about the Russian/ soviet label on many worthwhile classics in art poetry music and science. But later discovered they ordinated in one of their imperial satellites . Like Ukraine
Most famously Prokofiev was born in Donetsk. Many “Russian”despicable politicians and secret police also came originally from Ukraine. Russia’s successful traditional gameplan had
been until recently to ruthlessly suppress distinctive Ukrainian culture along with its language. Andrey Kurkov is Russian-born, writes fiction in the language as his mother tongue, but would regard himself as Ukrainian and writes in it now as well. Ukraine is not monocultural by any means though stifled (starved and terrorised mostly) from 1922 to 1991 by the unlovable utopian Worker’s Paradise to the east. Russian culture’s survival under its philistine psychopaths is a true testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I love the second movement of Shostakovich’s 10th, the musical portrayal of one of history’s most evil specimens Josef Vissariononovich Dhugashvili, “Stalin”.
I had oroshi soba (buckwheat noodles with shredded daikon radish) and tempura for lunch today. Nothing wrong with buckwheat the way the Japanese prepare it.
About Putin and other authorities keeping schtum publicly about the situation in Crimea: they are all trapped by their own lies and it’s extraordinary to see when the mask one wears becomes a prison or a tomb, an identity impossible to shed. The imperative of narratives like “Russia always wins” and “this is a SMO, not war” , “crimea is now Russian forever” incapacitate response - public, military, logistic (as much as prioritising the protection of a private dacha incapacitated allocation of defence where needed). So long as you can’t call things by their real name, you can’t act in reality but only within the logic of the narrative you spun. So leader stays quiet, as to address the crisis means to abandon the story and by now that’s not an option, he’s stuck in the “we win always” schtick. The only response outside of that he knows is KGB style abductions, torture, murder of individuals (and that he deploys no doubt at the scale the enlarged apparatus allows) but that a war doesn’t win.
Holiday bookings in Crimea have dropped by up to 80 per cent, perhaps 60 per cent down on last year. Unless you have a boot/trunk full of gasoline (now selling at 100 rubles a liter), I suggest a Baltic holiday might be preferable. Panic buying in Sevastopol for food basics can only get worse.
Putin will be deposed before end of Sept. He knows it’s coming. He may decide he doesn’t want to be a sitting duck in his residence and does a runner to Turkey or the like. He’ll go into hiding if at all possible.
Appreciate the intelligent analysis. Not bitter and outrage-fueled, just sober and knowledgeable. Thank you for your courage, Misha.
Putin built a mythology around Crimea. Now he's building anti-drone nets around his dacha instead. That tells you everything about what was actually sacred.
Best reading yet of the Crimea situation!!
#SlavaUkraïni from the UK #heroyamslava 🇬🇧 🇺🇦
Putin promised Crimea forever.
Ukraine did not need to retake it first.
It only had to make Russia prove it could feed it, fuel it, defend it, and move through it.
That is where imperial slogans meet the road.
Disgusting that Valdai is better defended than the Russian people at large.
I do not understand Putin's claims about the historical ties of Crimea to Russia. Yes, there was the Yalta Conference, but Crimea is notable (excluding Florence Nightingale) primarily as a lovely vacation spot and a source of massive amounts of fruit and fortified wines. Perhaps I am overlooking more historical events of note.
Crimea was dominated by the Crimean Tatars for over 400 years. russia held it for barely 170 years prior to 2014.
Putin's views of history are seriously flawed and biased (no surprise). Crimea became Russian in the 18th century only, not a 'native' Russian soil by any stretch of imagination..
And from 2014-2026, but not after that, I’m thinking.
I feel a lot of sympathy for those who live under this regime and in its occupied territories. Or at least for those who are not its corrupted diehard implementers and enthusiastic
supporters. The cost of dissent let alone opposition is too draconian to be contemplated. Russians have historically made significant contributions to humanity despite the perversions and depredations of their political tyrants. My particular passion is for classical and sacred music which their composers and performers have enriched immeasurably, albeit sadly in many cases in forced exile.
Hello Jack i have long wondered about the Russian/ soviet label on many worthwhile classics in art poetry music and science. But later discovered they ordinated in one of their imperial satellites . Like Ukraine
Most famously Prokofiev was born in Donetsk. Many “Russian”despicable politicians and secret police also came originally from Ukraine. Russia’s successful traditional gameplan had
been until recently to ruthlessly suppress distinctive Ukrainian culture along with its language. Andrey Kurkov is Russian-born, writes fiction in the language as his mother tongue, but would regard himself as Ukrainian and writes in it now as well. Ukraine is not monocultural by any means though stifled (starved and terrorised mostly) from 1922 to 1991 by the unlovable utopian Worker’s Paradise to the east. Russian culture’s survival under its philistine psychopaths is a true testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I love the second movement of Shostakovich’s 10th, the musical portrayal of one of history’s most evil specimens Josef Vissariononovich Dhugashvili, “Stalin”.
I think the real problem and/or inciting incident Is that buckwheat is a staple.
I had oroshi soba (buckwheat noodles with shredded daikon radish) and tempura for lunch today. Nothing wrong with buckwheat the way the Japanese prepare it.
Sounds delish!
What are you talking about? Buckwheat is a staple in many regions of Asia and Europe.
Buckwheat is disgusting. Certainly how the Russians prepare it.
Buckwheat is disgusting. Certainly how the Russians prepare it.
About Putin and other authorities keeping schtum publicly about the situation in Crimea: they are all trapped by their own lies and it’s extraordinary to see when the mask one wears becomes a prison or a tomb, an identity impossible to shed. The imperative of narratives like “Russia always wins” and “this is a SMO, not war” , “crimea is now Russian forever” incapacitate response - public, military, logistic (as much as prioritising the protection of a private dacha incapacitated allocation of defence where needed). So long as you can’t call things by their real name, you can’t act in reality but only within the logic of the narrative you spun. So leader stays quiet, as to address the crisis means to abandon the story and by now that’s not an option, he’s stuck in the “we win always” schtick. The only response outside of that he knows is KGB style abductions, torture, murder of individuals (and that he deploys no doubt at the scale the enlarged apparatus allows) but that a war doesn’t win.
Sounds very 1984ish.
Holiday bookings in Crimea have dropped by up to 80 per cent, perhaps 60 per cent down on last year. Unless you have a boot/trunk full of gasoline (now selling at 100 rubles a liter), I suggest a Baltic holiday might be preferable. Panic buying in Sevastopol for food basics can only get worse.
will the anti-this, anti-that machinery prevent the undead from climbing over the walls and entering his bedroom?
We in the west can see this. What about someone living in Moscow?
RUSSIA IS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE…. AGAIN LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍
It’s a start !
Putin will be deposed before end of Sept. He knows it’s coming. He may decide he doesn’t want to be a sitting duck in his residence and does a runner to Turkey or the like. He’ll go into hiding if at all possible.
Thank you for this well crafted analysis.