Being Russia and Russian now

[Sithara007]

How do you feel about recruiters walking around town handing out conscription notes? Not long ago there was an article that they're planning to send summons through email and mobile phones and if you ignore them you'll get your driving license suspended and won't be able to get a loan.

It's already happened, and I think this is great news as it's another big step towards the downfall of the totalitarian system.

From what I heard, Russia has so far mobilized only those with previous military experience and members of the Rosgvardiya. On the other hand, Ukraine has gone through more than a dozen rounds of mobilization and young men of military age are rounded up from their houses and public places and forcibly sent to die in Bakhmut and Avdeevka. Every year around 300,000 conscripts join the military in Russia. They can easily recruit millions of former coscripts, but so far they have restricted their draft to the former contract soldiers.

[Argoo]

From what I heard, Russia has so far mobilized only those with previous military experience and members of the Rosgvardiya. On the other hand, Ukraine has gone through more than a dozen rounds of mobilization and young men of military age are rounded up from their houses and public places and forcibly sent to die in Bakhmut and Avdeevka. Every year around 300,000 conscripts join the military in Russia. They can easily recruit millions of former coscripts, but so far they have restricted their draft to the former contract soldiers.

Your rumors are incorrect. Now on the Internet in the public domain there are many appeals from groups of mobilized Russians and even entire units who complain that they did not undergo any training and do not know how to shoot, but ended up on the front line and they are being driven to storm the Ukrainian fortifications. They were allegedly told that they would maintain order in the rear of the occupied territories, but they deceived them. There are also numerous statements about this by the wives and mothers of the mobilized.
But the result of the impending offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will put an end to this dispute. If everything is so good in Russian soldiers, they should not retreat in panic from the occupied territories of Ukraine next month, right?

[be.open]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a minute, are you telling me that the sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have had no impact on ordinary Russians' economic lives? Are you sure you didn't just make that up?

I mean, I'm no expert in international politics, but it seems hard to believe that the global restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest wouldn't have any effect on the day-to-day lives of regular Russians. Sure, the joblessness rate might not have increased, and the general store may look the same, but I find it hard to believe that there haven't been any changes.

Perhaps the crowds at some Moscow malls have decreased, but it's not significant? And local brands have replaced McDonald's and Starbucks? That's crazy! I can't imagine how ordinary Russians are coping with all of these changes, or lack thereof.

Here is a video in which two students from Africa who study in Russia, as part of some kind of challenge, are trying to buy the maximum amount of food for $ 10 in an ordinary supermarket. Video comments deserve special attention.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a minute, are you telling me that the sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have had no impact on ordinary Russians' economic lives? Are you sure you didn't just make that up?

I mean, I'm no expert in international politics, but it seems hard to believe that the global restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest wouldn't have any effect on the day-to-day lives of regular Russians. Sure, the joblessness rate might not have increased, and the general store may look the same, but I find it hard to believe that there haven't been any changes.

Perhaps the crowds at some Moscow malls have decreased, but it's not significant? And local brands have replaced McDonald's and Starbucks? That's crazy! I can't imagine how ordinary Russians are coping with all of these changes, or lack thereof.

Here is a video in which two students from Africa who study in Russia, as part of some kind of challenge, are trying to buy the maximum amount of food for $ 10 in an ordinary supermarket. Video comments deserve special attention.

Thanks for sharing this video, it's really interesting.
Prices are ok from a foreigner perspective but I think if you have a small Russian wage this might be a bit expensive, isn't it?
I just googled and in 2023 the average salary in Russia in 2023 is 63260 RUB/Month (767.281 USD/Month)

In Japan for 10$ I could have bought the tomatoes and the little bit of beef, that's it, haha. Obviously people earn a bit more here though.

[woez]

Indeed, if one pays attention to the impact of sanctions on a country's economy, it can be subtle and long-term, not only affecting the current generation but also future generations. While it may be reassuring to hear that ordinary Russians are not being significantly affected by the current sanctions, it is important to consider the broader implications of these restrictions. I think it is important to remember here that the long-term consequences of sanctions can be very wide-ranging and complex, affecting not only a country's economic prosperity but also its political stability and social well-being.

[Smartprofit]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a minute, are you telling me that the sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have had no impact on ordinary Russians' economic lives? Are you sure you didn't just make that up?

I mean, I'm no expert in international politics, but it seems hard to believe that the global restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest wouldn't have any effect on the day-to-day lives of regular Russians. Sure, the joblessness rate might not have increased, and the general store may look the same, but I find it hard to believe that there haven't been any changes.

Perhaps the crowds at some Moscow malls have decreased, but it's not significant? And local brands have replaced McDonald's and Starbucks? That's crazy! I can't imagine how ordinary Russians are coping with all of these changes, or lack thereof.

In fact, there are no significant changes. 

Prices in shops have really gone up, this concerns the rise in prices for food, shoes, clothes, cosmetics, etc.  The prices for utilities have risen significantly.  At the same time, the stores have both consumer electronics and food products.  Laptop prices even show a downward trend.  This is due to the fact that traders have created a system of parallel imports, in which goods are imported into the country without the consent of the copyright holder. 

Under the conditions of the capitalist system, traders perceive any sanctions and restrictions as an opportunity to earn big profits.  The main problems will begin if war communism and a rationing system for the distribution of goods and foodstuffs are introduced in the country. 

At the same time, the number of drunk and aggressive people on the streets has grown significantly.  The number of young people has also greatly decreased - many young people have left for other countries (even Mexico).

[retreat]

Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have been the targets of West Europe and the US sanctions. But ordinary Russians' economic lives haven't being affected much since the war in Ukraine, when they were placed under extensive restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest. Joblessness rate hasn't increases, no plunging money and no lines at banks. The arrangement at the general store is minimal changed, with worldwide brands still accessible or local substitutes replacing them. At some Moscow malls, crowds may have decreased, but not significantly. Local brands have replacing McDonald and Starbucks
A local once said, "Economically, nothing has changed". He still goes to work and shopping like before the war. Well, maybe the prices of some items have gone up a little, but not so much that it's obvious.

I don't really believe that the sanctions and the burden of war being borne by the Russian government have had no impact on its economy. The sanctions imposed by America and its allies alone had an impact on the financial condition of the Russian government, not to mention that they had to spend a lot of money to finance the war. So when they say their life is "just fine" I don't believe it. Moreover, measuring a country's economy is not only from the prices of cheap food or electronics, but there are still many factors that need to be considered, therefore calling the Russian economy currently in good condition is impossible.

[naikturun]

It's important to note that while the economic impact of the sanctions on ordinary Russians may not be immediately obvious, there can still be longer-term consequences that are more difficult to measure, but people in there must stay prepare for unexpected thing.

[CageMabok]

It's important to note that while the economic impact of the sanctions on ordinary Russians may not be immediately obvious, there can still be longer-term consequences that are more difficult to measure, but people in there must stay prepare for unexpected thing.

The people who are still living there (Russia) must have been very well prepared for it and I don't think there is anything important that should be noted by people who are outside Russia because they actually don't fully know how the economic conditions are there unless they who live there and feel how the living conditions there. And it is also natural that it is still difficult to measure the consequences that occurred there because we can only read about it through the news in the media.

[Ozero]

After Russia got bogged down in the war it unleashed in Ukraine, and especially after its army began to suffer defeat in it, very interesting processes began to take place on its territory. The Russian Federation represents many forcibly annexed nations and nationalities with their vast territories, and this state entity was based on force and brutal suppression of dissidents. But now the situation has changed dramatically due to the weakening of the central government.

Thus, a liberation army has already been created in Ingushetia in order to prepare for possible clashes after the collapse of the Russian Federation. They seek to secede from the Russian Federation and are preparing to defend their interests. In early 2023, activists created the Ingush Independence Committee (CIN) and adopted a Declaration stating that "this decision is made in light of the grave consequences that the Ingush people are experiencing as a result of many years of occupation and violence by the Russian Empire in all its forms."

Source: https://www.dialog.ua/russia/272151_1682051160https://www.dialog.ua/russia/272151_1682051160

Previously, it was already false that six regions of Russia were preparing to secede from Russia and even held online referendums on this matter.

[Mauser]

A local once said, "Economically, nothing has changed". He still goes to work and shopping like before the war. Well, maybe the prices of some items have gone up a little, but not so much that it's obvious.

This sounds exactly like life in my country, except that prices didn't only go up a little, but by a lot. Reading that it seems that my country was more affected by the war than Russia. Which is a bit crazy, but could be true due to the heavy sanctions that always hit all countries involved. To be honest I don't know many Russians and don't believe the newspapers anymore as they are saying the same thing for a over a year and it doesn't seem to be true. The few Russians I know either left the country in their childhood and don't know anything anymore, or I met them in university and they are living all abroad now. It's really hard to make an honest assessment when we don't have access to independent news. Most articles I see these days is propaganda by one of the two sides.

[DrBeer]

Russia is getting more and more fun. It seems that new solutions from "the best, honest and fair country" are just around the corner
- Introduction of dues (already on the way to approval, a monthly new fee of 1000-3000 rubles from EACH resident of Russia)
- Serfdom
- Recruitment duty - as under Peter 1! Actually implemented through public services

By the way, I noticed that they stopped calling / driving guest workers. After last year's incident, when residents of another country were almost forcibly called up, and they shot almost 20 people in the "training school" because they were called up in violation of the law and their rights. now Muscovites will take the rap


"Police have begun to round up conscripts in Moscow and forcefully deliver them to military registration and enlistment offices, according to the Walk Through the Woods project, which helps Russians evade mobilization.

According to him, the police came to one young man's house, saying that he had been on the wanted list for two years. “Five or six police officers handcuffed him and took him to the military enlistment office. There he applied for the ACS: it seems that they accepted the application, but they took away his passport and threatened him with a criminal offense. Then they were taken to the collection point. They took the phone there, apparently, and did not let the ambulance go when he became ill, ”said a friend of the guy.

Also, the distribution of subpoenas began in the dormitory of the DAS MSU in the south-west of Moscow, according to Protest MSU. They were received by students of 2-4 courses. According to one of them, the dormitory commandants walked around the rooms and asked to come to the administrative room, where the commandant on duty handed out summonses "for events related to conscription for military service."

https://www.moscowtimes.ru/2023/04/21/v-moskve-nachalis-oblavi-na-prizivnikov-a40772

[Jamala]

Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have been the targets of West Europe and the US sanctions. But ordinary Russians' economic lives haven't being affected much since the war in Ukraine, when they were placed under extensive restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest. Joblessness rate hasn't increases, no plunging money and no lines at banks. The arrangement at the general store is minimal changed, with worldwide brands still accessible or local substitutes replacing them. At some Moscow malls, crowds may have decreased, but not significantly. Local brands have replacing McDonald and Starbucks
A local once said, "Economically, nothing has changed". He still goes to work and shopping like before the war. Well, maybe the prices of some items have gone up a little, but not so much that it's obvious.
So far, Putin's economists have been able to minimize the effects of those sanctions hence, the rise of the Rouble.

In fact, the Russian ruble is currently depreciating against the US dollar. 

At the same time, the depreciation of the national currency is very significant.  Some economists predict the exchange rate - 1 US dollar = 100 Russian rubles as early as this 2023. 

Yes, there is a gradual replacement of foreign brands with Russian (Turkish, Chinese brands) in stores.  At the same time, a paradox arises - European brands are actively leaving Russia, while American brands remain.  At the same time, all McDonald's restaurants in Russia were closed.  Instead, they are now restaurants of the Vkusno i Tochka brand.  At the same time, food and household goods are becoming more expensive in Russia, and tariffs for utilities and electricity are rising. 

But the most important thing is not in the state of the economy.  The most important thing for people is the general mood of the nation for a progressive positive future. 

If there is no such attitude, then this is a disaster.

True, most of the adverse effects of the war are not shared with the media. Western sanctions have definitely hit hard on Russia's economy but not as significantly as they taught and wanted. Rather, these sanctions have motivated Russia explore new options and form new international alliances. See how many countries are willing to join BRICS? What do you think will become of Russian economy in 5 years' time? Shrink of blossom? Russia has always been sanctioned over the years, and nothing new now.

[DrBeer]

After Russia got bogged down in the war it unleashed in Ukraine, and especially after its army began to suffer defeat in it, very interesting processes began to take place on its territory. The Russian Federation represents many forcibly annexed nations and nationalities with their vast territories, and this state entity was based on force and brutal suppression of dissidents. But now the situation has changed dramatically due to the weakening of the central government.

Thus, a liberation army has already been created in Ingushetia in order to prepare for possible clashes after the collapse of the Russian Federation. They seek to secede from the Russian Federation and are preparing to defend their interests. In early 2023, activists created the Ingush Independence Committee (CIN) and adopted a Declaration stating that "this decision is made in light of the grave consequences that the Ingush people are experiencing as a result of many years of occupation and violence by the Russian Empire in all its forms."

Source: https://www.dialog.ua/russia/272151_1682051160https://www.dialog.ua/russia/272151_1682051160

Previously, it was already false that six regions of Russia were preparing to secede from Russia and even held online referendums on this matter.

"Centrifugal forces" began to appear in Russia in 2022, when it became clear that Russia is a fake country, and the Russian army is just a collection of a large number of "walking meat". Moreover, it was the inhabitants of Ichkeria who were the first to begin preparations for the liberation of their republics from their "fraternal embrace of Russia", knowing full well that all Kadyrov's power rests only on handouts from Moscow, which will soon end. Yes, Moscow and the Russian European part are afraid of the Kadyrovites. But neither the Nokhchi, nor the Ingush, nor other peoples of the Caucasian republics are afraid of them, knowing full well that they are also nonentities and heroes only against women and the elderly. And this also happened in Ukraine, where almost everyone whom Kadyrov heroically sent to "take Kyiv" was demonstratively destroyed. some "heroes" were lucky - they managed to abandon equipment, weapons and fled with squeals and tears
Therefore, preparations have begun in the Caucasian republics, people know the concept of the words honor, dignity, freedom, and they will soon get it. The indigenous population will continue to go to the slaughter, on the orders of the "king" ... The mentality is different

PS I think that the Urals / Trans-Urals, being the richest in resources, and in fact giving all the wealth of Russia, will also want freedom ... As soon as one republic sets an example, a chain reaction will begin there that the Kremlin will no longer be able to stop - there is no army, the police / Russian Guard - can only beat old people and children, Kadyrov's terrorists will try to save themselves - they have "bloodlines" all of Ichkeria and neighboring republics where they committed wild crimes against the people. And there is no one else to protect the Kremlin Fuhrer and his "empire"

PS Some funny statistics
I think in business parlance this is called "liquidation of distressed assets."
- The number of prisoners in Russian prisons decreased by 33 thousand in 2022
- The number of unemployed in Russia decreased by 35 thousand in 2022

[Sithara007]

True, most of the adverse effects of the war are not shared with the media. Western sanctions have definitely hit hard on Russia's economy but not as significantly as they taught and wanted. Rather, these sanctions have motivated Russia explore new options and form new international alliances. See how many countries are willing to join BRICS? What do you think will become of Russian economy in 5 years' time? Shrink of blossom? Russia has always been sanctioned over the years, and nothing new now.

The biggest mistake from the West was that they forgot about the fact that sanctions are counter-productive. Russia lost tens of billions of USD in the form of lower crude oil prices, but the European nations lost much more because they are now purchasing crude oil and natural gas from more expensive sources, under unfavorable terms. Heavy engineering and metallurgical industries are all but dead within the European Union. Automobile industry is slowly moving from Europe to China, as the factories within EU are shutting down as a result of extremely high gas prices.

[be.open]

PS Some funny statistics
I think in business parlance this is called "liquidation of distressed assets."
- The number of prisoners in Russian prisons decreased by 33 thousand in 2022
- The number of unemployed in Russia decreased by 35 thousand in 2022

The decrease in the number of prisoners in Russia in 2022 should not surprise anyone, they were recruited by volunteers into the assault squads of the Wagner PMC and are currently storming Bakhmut. On YouTube there is a documentary film "Zone of Redemption" about this, I recommend watching it to broaden your horizons.

[Argoo]

PS Some funny statistics
I think in business parlance this is called "liquidation of distressed assets."
- The number of prisoners in Russian prisons decreased by 33 thousand in 2022
- The number of unemployed in Russia decreased by 35 thousand in 2022

The decrease in the number of prisoners in Russia in 2022 should not surprise anyone, they were recruited by volunteers into the assault squads of the Wagner PMC and are currently storming Bakhmut. On YouTube there is a documentary film "Zone of Redemption" about this, I recommend watching it to broaden your horizons.

Yes, the defenders of Bakhmut also note that among the participants in the assault squads from Russia, there were also former female prisoners. Given Russia's serious demographic problem, which even Putin recently described as one of the country's biggest problems due to its drastic population decline, sending women to certain death for Putin's imperial ambitions is, at the very least, very strange. Or is the situation already so hopeless in Russia? I think the situation is only hopeless for Putin, who actually doesn’t give a damn about his citizens, but is there really not a single sane person in Russia who can prevent this? Although Russia is now entirely a country of the absurd.

[be.open]

PS Some funny statistics
I think in business parlance this is called "liquidation of distressed assets."
- The number of prisoners in Russian prisons decreased by 33 thousand in 2022
- The number of unemployed in Russia decreased by 35 thousand in 2022

The decrease in the number of prisoners in Russia in 2022 should not surprise anyone, they were recruited by volunteers into the assault squads of the Wagner PMC and are currently storming Bakhmut. On YouTube there is a documentary film "Zone of Redemption" about this, I recommend watching it to broaden your horizons.

Yes, the defenders of Bakhmut also note that among the participants in the assault squads from Russia, there were also former female prisoners. Given Russia's serious demographic problem, which even Putin recently described as one of the country's biggest problems due to its drastic population decline, sending women to certain death for Putin's imperial ambitions is, at the very least, very strange. Or is the situation already so hopeless in Russia? I think the situation is only hopeless for Putin, who actually doesn’t give a damn about his citizens, but is there really not a single sane person in Russia who can prevent this? Although Russia is now entirely a country of the absurd.

I am glad that you are a progressive supporter of gender equality, but here you are mistaken - recruitment for Wagner volunteers was carried out only among male prisoners. In general, this is a unique and apparently successful experiment in the socialization of criminals, after the expiration of the contract, the former prisoner receives 1,200,000 rubles, the status of a war veteran with social benefits, the Wagner medal "For Courage", an extinguished criminal record and the opportunity to start life from scratch.

[fadhilz123]

but in the end if this condition is allowed to continue then the Russian economic situation, or society will gradually realize it and will cause other new problems such as unemployment which of course will definitely have a negative impact on other things as well.

Basically, there is no government party in any country that will let their country continue to be hit by problems in a barrage. So you shouldn't have to worry about this because they will definitely handle it on their own. Especially if you are not a citizen of Russia, so you don't need to worry so much about the emergence of new problems such as unemployment where unemployment there is also very different from unemployment in other countries.

[be.open]

but in the end if this condition is allowed to continue then the Russian economic situation, or society will gradually realize it and will cause other new problems such as unemployment which of course will definitely have a negative impact on other things as well.

There is a saying that "Russians take a long time to harness, but they go fast." It seems to me that this very accurately reflects the deep essence of the Russian mentality, which is characterized by a very high level of fatalism and tolerance for external discomfort. If things start to get worse, Russians usually just shrug their shoulders and move on. Troubles cannot last forever, if something goes wrong today, then tomorrow everything will probably be much better. Or not, but that doesn't matter either. This fatalism and high level of tolerance for discomfort is both a curse and a boon for Russians. Something really extraordinary needs to happen, for the Russian people to feel the enthusiasm to fix things and to find a thirst for action. For example, to take up arms against you half of the world, as in the case of Western sanctions. Therefore, I am sure that all the sanctions against Russia are evidence, if not of the stupidity of the West, then of its misunderstanding of the Russian mentality.