If you are Russian what is your opinion on Ukraine situation and Russia stance?

[Bohemianwannabe]

As above

@MamaUmki agree the fake news on both sides is atrocious. But countries outside Europe are taking a more measured and analytical view of the war. Here is one:

And another from South Africa urging peace: www.iol.co.za/news/world/ousted-ukrainian-president-urges-zelensky-to-stop-bloodshed-97969245-3170-5890-b671-bef860d6c4f0

There are more voices calling for peace: theweek.com/politics/1011048/peace-in-ukraine-is-worth-putins-price I hope they are listened to.

And I hope there are some useful negotiations soon. Ordinary Ukrainians are paying a fatal price in this conflict.

@Amrapaali not sure those links are that impartial to be honest.

I might be a bit concerned that pro-kremlin bots in various countries have found/will find this thread. Some of those links… hm.

[quote JustJam4Tea]@Amrapaali not sure those links are that impartial to be honest.[/quote]
I never claimed they were impartial. My exact words were "measured and analytical"

This was in response to MamaUmki who was being distressed that they were being looked at us enemies just because they were Russian. My aim was to re-assure them. Not everyone does. People all over the world are looking at this with a bit more clairty. Many are against the war not against Russians.

The response here in the West is not something shared universally across the globe is what I was trying to say. It is getting a bit ridiculous: removing Tchaikovsky from opera houses. Another thread here mentioned a dog breeder was booed because she was showing a Russian terrier! How ludicrous can you get...

@MamaUmki I am so sorry to hear how every generation of your family is bearing some of the brunt of this. That your son is being bullied and they you are receiving hate mail is absolutely appalling.

Do you know who is sending the emails? Have you told the police?

My Ukranian friend is safe in another country, and her offspring and family have managed to get to western Ukraine from Kiev. Other relatives are still in Kiev and a source of great concern.

One thing she said gave me pause for thought - "We had such trust and faith in them" - we cannot believe this is happening. I have to assume that she meant Putin and his henchmen. Well brain-washed then.

War brings out the worst (as well as the best) in people and I am sure that there are things Ukraine has done since the invasion that are questionable. But a simple fact remains: Russia has invaded a sovereign country. No amount of opinions will change that.

@Woollystockings

I might be a bit concerned that pro-kremlin bots in various countries have found/will find this thread. Some of those links… hm.

You mean the same names appearing on every thread about Ukraine

Yes. Too late

I’m from Kazakhstan and Russian speaking. I’ve lived in the Uk for 10 years now, completely settled have family etc. I’m heartbroken for Ukraine, terrified of a nuclear war, and angry at Russian government. Not Russians themselves as they didn’t have a say on anything that’s going on. I have lots of Russian friends some in Moscow they are also very stressed. They know what’s going on but not even allowed to criticize theIr government. My friends are all well educated modern civilized people working in global companies. Unfortunately there is not much they can do, recent protests in Russia ended them and their children detained. All social media is blocked (Instagram was blocked today), and police have a right to stop anyone at any time on streets and check their mobile phone contents.
However my thoughts are currently with Ukraine people who lost everything in a blink of an eye cause of a psycho maniac.

@Woollystockings

I might be a bit concerned that pro-kremlin bots in various countries have found/will find this thread. Some of those links… hm.

I am intrigued. What is it about those links that say pro-Kremlin bot to you?

Is it the video of the award-winning CNN-IBN journalist analysing the run-up to the war?

Is it the article in the SOuth African MSM? IOL is Independent News Online.

Or is it the article in the Week, a well respected UK-based news magazine with a wide readership?

This pro-Kremlin bot insult is getting pretty tiresome really.

My Russian friend has been crying for days, she says her country is going to become like North Korea. She’s also worried that Putin’s officials will confiscate her life savings because of work she’s done for ‘the West’.

Russians are also victims of Putin 😢

This doesn't answer your question as it's not an opinion, but I do know a 20 year old girl who has lived here for eleven years. She's currently in the process of applying for British citizenship but with all the trouble considered returning home to her family in Russia. I don't know where her family live in Russia, but they're adamant they don't want her to return as they're worried for their safety and want her to stay here where she's safe. I'm just hoping for her sake she remains welcome here.

@DetailMouse

Why are "we" so convinced that out version of the propaganda is the correct version?

I'm not saying it's not, but we know the news is manipulated by our politicans all the time.

Isn't it likely that the truth is somewhere between the two?

So how would that work? The Russians haven't crossed the border into another country, the Ukrainian border just swallowed them up or something.

Nothing measured and analytical in that first link @Amrapaali. Just a Russian puppet being a Russian puppet.🙄 My heart goes out to the Russian and Ukrainian people and all those worried about their loved ones.

Putin is a cunt and he looks like .

Thank you @Amrapaali I will have a look at the videos, when I have a chance. My friends in the UK have been very understanding. Some of them have met my Mum when she visited, and often ask about her. I had some lovely messages of support, saying they know the difference between Putin and his cronies and ordinary people.
@saraclara Thank you for your kind words. I told my son that if this continues, I will go to the head of the school and ask for help.
As for the email, I blocked the sender. It was some anonymous sender with the fake name like Truth for Russians, or smth like that. I don't think police would be interested.

Also I don't want to appear as if I'm minimising the suffering of the Ukrainian people. What happens there now is an atrocity. But nobody that I know in Russia personally wanted this war.

If the first link is right about NATO expansionism why hasn't NATO let Ukraine join?

I know a couple of Russians
One feels The US provoked Putin but that his response has been disproportionate
Another is not ethnically Russian and so has seen his area treated appalling by Putin and they are now being conscripted to fight for him. His young cousins have been sent somewhere to fight but they dint know where and can’t contact them. He is devastated
Another one believes the crap he is being fed, despite actually being what I thought was a decent person.

Why are "we" so convinced that out version of the propaganda is the correct version?
I'm not saying it's not, but we know the news is manipulated by our politicans all the time.
Isn't it likely that the truth is somewhere between the two?

No.

And even if Putin’s propaganda on Ukraine were 100% true it would still not justify him invading a sovereign country and bombing and terrorising civilians.

Look at the UN vote: The only countries which voted with Russia were Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Eritrea.

I wonder if the Russians have any trolls on MN? I bet they do…

Russian family and a v large Russian social circle here in the UK, all educated people in their 30s/40s. All utterly horrified and wondering when they will see their families again.

@Woollystockings

I might be a bit concerned that pro-kremlin bots in various countries have found/will find this thread. Some of those links… hm.

Indeed. Measured and analytical my foot. Pro-Russian propaganda more like!

@Lavendersquare

One of my son's friends is Ukrainian the whole family came here as refugees in 2013/4. I assumed they would have been horrified at what Russia is doing so shocked when I spoke with them and they sided with Putin.

It seems that they can disregard what's being reported as just western propaganda even though the evidence is there and the UN is calling it out.

I sympathise with the worry they have about family members but can't bring myself to speak anymore. Being told that we are only hearing one side and Russia is only acting to stop fascists in Ukraine is sickening, I can't bear to listen to it.

I can only conclude that years of state disinformation have taken their toll and allow them to ignore what they can see with their own eyes 😡☹️

Upon what basis are your son’s friends siding with Putin? If true, it is shocking that they fled Ukraine in 2013/14 but are now siding with Putin against their own country.

@TooBigForMyBoots

Nothing measured and analytical in that first link *@Amrapaali*. Just a Russian puppet being a Russian puppet.🙄 My heart goes out to the Russian and Ukrainian people and all those worried about their loved ones.

Putin is a cunt and he looks like .

The first video starts "Russia's invasion is illegal" and ends saying "What Russia is doing is criminal". If it is a Russian puppet, they aren't doing a very good job are they?

I am enjoying your Putin emoji across the threads. Why is he green though?

@ancientgran

If the first link is right about NATO expansionism why hasn't NATO let Ukraine join?

I think Ukraine is a partner in NATO. An enhanced operations partner. Maybe the next step would have been full membership. I have no idea.

Someone who knows more may be the right person to comment

@CleverKnot Simon Reeve did a travel programme to Crimea which is how I learnt about Ukraine cutting off their water supply. Then they had the worst drought ever in 2020.
The Ukrainian Information Minister complained about the programme.
Russia has bombed the Ukrainian dam now so water will flow soon
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b099127q