Let's talk about martial law (and other things): OPEN THREAD
Edward's weekly Russia-related news roundup
This blog used to feature a Sunday open thread for link-dumps and free-for-all gladiator fights in the comments section.
Then, for some reason, this weekly news roundup disappeared. I am happy to announce it has been resurrected.
You have permission to shamelessly plug your own work (or share links that you think are noteworthy) in the comments section. I will do my best to look at all the URLs, and maybe I will select some of them for next week’s open thread.
Or you can just say hello and I will say hello back.
Deep thoughts about martial law
On October 19, Putin signed a decree introducing martial law in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
Several regions bordering (or near) Ukraine were placed on color-coded levels of Alert. As Putin stipulated in his decree, authorities are now empowered to implement wartime restrictions in Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov regions and the city of Sevastopol.
These new powers include:
d) introduction and maintenance of a special regime for entry into and exit from the territory, as well as restriction of freedom of movement on it;
e) restriction of the movement of vehicles and their inspection;
f) introduction of control over the operation of facilities that ensure the functioning of transport, communications and communications, over the operation of printing houses, computer centers and automated systems, and the use of their work for defense needs.
But are these measures being implemented? For now, not really.
Shortly after Putin’s announcement, Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the head of Crimea, said that there would be no restrictions on entry and exit in the region.
Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin (famous for his insatiable face-fetish) promised life would continue as normal in the capital.
TV Zvezda—a television network operated by the Ministry of Defense—reported that you now have to show your passport to gain entry to train platforms in Rostov.
Not really an earth-shattering restriction on movement—but unfortunately, color-coded Alert Levels have a habit of slowly suffocating basic rights (sorry, “privileges”). So this is something worth keeping an eye on.
Some news from this morning (October 22) via Kommersant:
The governors of the Belgorod and Kursk regions Vyacheslav Gladkov and Roman Starovoit have extended the yellow level of terrorist danger for 15 days. It will be valid until November 6th.
Mr. Gladkov noted that the ban on launching firecrackers, fireworks and salutes also continues to operate in the Belgorod region. Mr. Starovoit asked residents of the Kursk region to report suspicious citizens, abandoned objects and drones.
Belgorod has been the target of regular (and often deadly) shelling by the Ukrainian military. So yeah, I get it. But state-sanctioned suspicion and paranoia typically doesn’t end well.
Whether justified or not from a purely “security” standpoint, what concerns me is that color-coded Crisis Levels seem to linger on indefinitely; they’re billed as temporary measures but inevitably just become Normal. And that’s slightly worrying.
On a related note (that hasn’t really been reported in English-language media): the Coordinating Council for the SMO created by Putin excludes Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev and his deputy, Dmitry Medvedev, but includes COVID Witch Tatyana Golikova. What’s going on here?
Views from around the interwebs
Lesson in Russian: "Dogovorniak" stands for Backroom Deal — the always excellent Stanley Sheppard has been collecting his Russia-related musings at his Substack, Stan's Two Cents. Stanley’s nuanced analyses should not be missed.
Eight reasons why Ukraine will end up like Yugoslavia — my friend (I can confirm he is a real Serb) has started a blog called the Serborthodox Chronicles. He is not a full-time blogger, but I expect great things from him.
114 Medical Professionals in Russia Who 'Died Suddenly' (English translation) — Cassandra's Box has typed up an English translation of a list of suspected vaccine-linked deaths among medical professionals in Russia (I cited this list in a recent blog post about Sputnik V’s “safety” and “efficacy.”) A sincere thank you to Cassandra’s Box for taking the time to translate the list into English.
Kadyrov's Main Enemy Is the Russian Military and His Fighters Are Overhyped Trash — Marko Marjanović (of Anti-Empire) challenges many preconceived notions about Kadyrov.
What Robber's Cave Can Teach You About Duo-Politics — An excellent overview of the soul-crushing horse race called “politics”, compliments of the The Daily Beagle. The Beagle also recently provided some intriguing details about Sputnik V.
First Israel Shamir, Now Paul Craig Roberts - People Are Starting to Reject the 5D Judo-Chess Narrative! — shots fired by Rolo.
Welcome To the New Multipolar World Order — Iain Davis has finished a thought-provoking four-part series exploring the different (or maybe not-so-different?) flavors of World Order.
Zero-Covid Reality in China — Austrian China offers an in-depth look at what’s going on with China’s befuddling Virus policies.
Stories from Russian media
Putin backed calls to re-vaccinate against COVID (October 18, TASS)
The Central Bank considers it inappropriate to accumulate reserves in gold (October 18, TASS)
The government is discussing the liquidation of infamous Chubais scam Rosnano (October 19, Katyusha)
State Duma adopts law raising retirement age to 70 for some civil servants (October 19, TASS)
The global food crisis opens up new opportunities for Russia (October 20, Nakanune)
Moving to Russia
From time to time I receive emails inquiring about how to obtain a Russian visa. I am always happy to help those interested in visiting or relocating to Russia in any way I can. Russia is a lovely place.
However, I’m not really qualified to provide guidance on visa-related issues. (Proof.) For moving-to-Russia-related questions, I would recommend the excellent Substack Moving to Russia.
Perspective
I’ve had the honor of speaking semi-regularly with Jesse Zurawell, host of Perspective, one of many superb programs on TNT Radio. You should definitely follow Jesse on Telegram.
How we will survive and thrive
It is a proven fact that blogging is the lowest form of human existence, but sometimes—occasionally—you get to connect with fascinating and inspiring people from other parts of the world. Slovenia’s Institute for National Sovereignty recently reached out to me and gifted me a copy of their new book, How We Will Survive and Thrive.
It’s a very readable, thoughtful and concise summation of the upside-down garbage world that we currently all exist in. In a very no-nonsense way, How We Will Survive and Thrive addresses the questions that many of us keep asking, every day: “Why are there so many global scams designed to murder us? And what should we do?”
I should add that it brings me great comfort knowing that fellow humans from Slovenia—and all corners of the globe—are organizing to remedy our current dreary state of affairs. The space lizards cynically hijacked the term “Stronger Together”—but it’s true!
Have a blessed Sunday, friends.
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Damnit, more substacks to follow and add to my ever-growing reading list. ;)
Cheers for the shout out my friend! I always appreciate your insights on the goings-on in Russia, given there is next to no English-readable independent reporting on things like mandates and the like in Russia.
You'd think if the Western media were truly critical of "despotic" Putin, they'd point to all the COVID tyranny mandates. But they obviously fear getting burned with the very fire of which they play with themselves. Wouldn't want to draw any parallels to the US mass facial recognition schemes or their own QR code biometric passports.