Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech announcing partial mobilization sparked heated reactions across Russia. Prominent lawmakers and pundits expressed their enthusiastic support on state television, but behind the bluster lay real concerns.
Even the most dedicated pro-Kremlin propagandists could not hide their fears about the obvious flaws in Russia’s economy and its military-industrial complex. Dr. on Wednesday’s national television program broadcast 60 minutesEven the studio appears to be in disarray, with a large pool of water clearly visible near a podium.
Senior military analyst Mikhail Khodaryanok poured more water on Putin’s announcement when he noted during the show that: “Consolidation is the face of the nation.” With the obvious problems related to the lack of military equipment and technology, the face bemoaned by even the most ardent campaigners seems to lack some teeth. Khodaryonok noted: “One thing that is no less important than others is how armed and equipped these people will be… They should get modern uniforms, modern gear, rations, medical kits, items related to support and supplies, modern weapons.. . It’s just inappropriate.”
Those fortunate enough not to face mobilization should contribute in other ways, declared military expert Igor Korochenko during his appearance on the show.
“It is very important that our new military divisions that are being formed today will receive the necessary equipment and weapons,” he stressed. “As we talk about the future of our nation, all available resources must be pooled. We should create a fund for special military operations. Our socially responsible elite oligarchs should share their profits, so that our frontline fighters can be properly armed and equipped.”
Korotchenko went on: “Everyone should play their part. We can’t do that anyone will luxuriate in Rublyovka [a prestigious residential area in the western suburbs of Moscow], while others are defending the motherland. Those who are economically fattened should share their resources so that we can provide our soldiers with everything they need.”
It appears that the Russian elite – including many top pro-Kremlin propagandists – would rather cheer from the sidelines than join Russia’s brutal and bloody imperialist endeavours. host 60 minutes Evgeny Popov pondered on-air whether he had been subjected to being organized, an expression with no sign that he felt particularly lucky.
Dmitry Nizhovtsev, host of Popular Politics, a YouTube channel run by supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, pranked the sons of Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Neither Nikolai Peskov nor Alexei Mishustin expressed a desire to fight in the front row, and they both rushed to finish the call. As luck would have it, Russia’s rich and well-connected did not have to risk life and limb to serve the motherland.
Still, that hasn’t stopped many of these talking heads from voicing their vehemence oral Millions across the country support the Kremlin’s new decision.
In another of its broadcasts 60 minutes, Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma Defense Committee, tried to convince the satisfied-faced panelists how lucky they were “to live in such wonderful times,” when Russia “became the axis of a new world order.” Apparently not feeling lucky, Dmitry Abzalov, director of the Center for Strategic Communications, questioned the readiness of the Russian economy for what was about to happen.
“Obviously, partial solidarity was declared because without it we cannot achieve our goal.“
Hours before Putin’s announcement, another State Duma member, Andrey Gurliev, was seething with excitement. “It is clear to me that today’s decision is the beginning of the end for Ukraine. That’s it, that nation no longer exists,” he said in a broadcast Evening with Vladimir Soloviev. “Ukraine’s history is coming to an end and maybe that’s a good thing.”
In the weeks leading up to the announcement, the Kremlin’s state TV mouthpieces appeared to be laying the groundwork for mobilization. State TV programme 60 minuteswhich had spent months mocking Ukrainian soldiers and mocking Western weapons, suddenly changed course, with host Olga Skabiva Unexpectedly admitting that Ukraine’s army is a “strong” force and that NATO’s weapons are “very effective”.
Appeared on Wednesday’s broadcast Evening with Vladimir Soloviev, RT head Margarita Simonyan admitted that Putin’s coercion is a coercive measure, prompted by the military defeat of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine: “Am I happy that we declared partial solidarity? No, I am not happy… Obviously, partial solidarity was announced because without it we cannot achieve our goal.”
