Explain Like I'm Five: Putin and Russia

[LambriniBobinIsleworth]

I know that there are lots of knowledge people here, so I'm looking for help in understanding all of this.

I did revolutionary Russia for history A Level about 800 years ago... I know basically what the Cold War was about... I know the Wikipedia outline of who Putin is.... I know basically why Russia invaded Ukraine...but with the death of Nevalny this week I need the whole sorry shit show of Russia explained to me like I'm five because I'm lost.

Most of all I'm confused about how post the collapse of the Soviet Union Russia did have a democratically elected government, and that Putin was originally democratically elected but then stopped having proper democratic elections circa 2003 (is that right?) What happened there to stop the elections being free and fair? And I read somewhere this weekend that another opposition leader died in 2015- shot after speaking out against the beginnings of the Ukraine war.

I did read a lot when the war started in 2022 but if I understood it all I've forgotten it again. Also why is Trump being called out for saying he will support Russia with this NATO stuff? What's going on there, why is he saying he will do that?

I know I sound really stupid, but I'm so confused about all of the various elements of this and putting them together like a jigsaw. I'd appreciate anything anyone can explain to me (in the simplest way possible). Thanks all!

There has always been an element of the American right that has been critical of NATO and see the European countries who don't meet their spending commitments as "free riding" off of US defence spending.

In the post-WWII world Republican presidents and presidential candidates have tended to be internationalists who were supportive of NATO so this has tended to be glossed over in public. Trump on the other hand sells himself as being "America First" and therefore talking tough on NATO plays into that.

@dapsnotplimsolls I don’t think that it will die out with Putin. I believe it will be another couple of generations for this mindset to fully change in Russia. Not only will there be plenty of corrupt politicians waiting to take his spot, there will also be all the ‘self-made’ businessmen, multi-millions and billionaires wanting a hand in Russia. Don’t forget about the state media and many Russians have been indoctrinated throughout their lives and education.

Another poster posted this video, it’s very interesting for those who don’t understand why it probably won’t all end with Putin. And why the older generations in previous soviet states and Russia find it hard to comprehend life after USSR - indoctrination and fear.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j1C8awu_d6Y

Even more of an investment of time, but very good:

"Putin vs The West" on BBC2
Series 1, "Path To War" is 3 episodes:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0dlz7gc/putin-vs-the-west

Series 2, "At War" is 2 episodes.

There's another excellent BBC2 series, "Putin, Russia and West" giving Putin's earlier history.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01b434y/putin-russia-and-the-west

I think it was "Putin, Russia and the West" that explained the key moment circa 2003 when Putin went for Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who had been doing what he though Putin's government wanted and tackling corruption, but ended up being targeted himself.

That was Putin signalling to the oligarchs that they could do whatever they liked in the economic sphere (steal, be corrupt) as long as they left the political sphere (being in charge) to him.

Sorry, I should have been clearer - I meant only the death of Putin will mean the end of Putin. Whoever takes over will want to emulate him - whether they'll have the contacts/intelligence to do so successfully is another matter.

I find it hard to comprehend why there isn't more of a popular uprising against Putin and his regime. Is it all fear, oppression and faked elections that keep Putin power? I can't believe the Russian people aren't doing more and in bigger numbers against his outrageous and brutal behaviour. Its unfathomable (from our safe democracy!).

@Reallybadidea you are right, I should have said ‘point’ not argument.

Meanwhile, a big wave and smile to the posters calling me a ‘twat’ and a ‘moron’ because I am surprised someone can’t work out why the recent Trump NATO/Russia comments are a bad thing 🙂

Because he has 'Made Russia Great Again' after the shit-show of the 90s.

Please watch the video I posted, it tells you all you need to know. It’s been 100 years for Russia under this regime. Would you be protesting in streets if it put your family at risk, probably not. I know I wouldn’t be. My family originate from Latvia, Ukraine and Belarus. I have family fighting in Ukraine and family and friends dead from this war. Young Russian men being sent to their deaths, for Putin’s greed. The USSR never left Russia. People keep quiet, they love their families and they have seen the fate of more recent protesters - dead, imprisoned, marked men.

Because huge swathes of the Russian population are uneducated bigots living medieval style lives. There is a lot of support for the extermination of Ukraine and its people.

The NATO comment and Trump in general are a separate issue from Putin coming to power.

Short answer to your first question is Russia has never been a true democracy, in name yes but even Russians themselves don't think it's a true democracy.

Putin was handpicked by the powers that be at the time of the fall of the Soviet Union because they thought he would be pliable, turns out he wasn't. Something to remember too is that his current madness has been slowly building, I've always wondered if he planned it or it just developed. Probably both.

There’s been some good articles in the guardian about how Russia has been changing its economy and pay for many in Russia has increased

Rude.

@Reallybadidea what did I do?
I told her to try newsround for information and as it's aimed at kids should be easier to understand.