Managed Opposition

The last forty-eight hours seem to have changed some of the dynamics in Russia. Seem is the operative word here. Yes, defense columnist Mikhail Khodaryonok said some incredible things on Russian TV. He even admitted to Russian isolation

”The main deficiency of our military-political position is that, in a way, we are in full geopolitical isolation and that, however much we would hate to admit this, virtually the entire world is against us,” he said. “And it’s that situation we need to escape.”

You can watch the video. It’s a good exchange. Incidentally, this is the longest version I have found. It looks genuine, just as his rejection of general mobilization before the Victory Day parade, which again, you can watch online.

From a western eye this looks like an oh my god, sanity is coming? Look at their faces! It’s acting. Nothing happens on tv that is not cleared. There are tight scripts. Why when we had a producer come up with an anti-war sign she was rapidly removed, prosecuted and her life in Russia is over.

Has this happened to this analyst? No. What has happened is a release of steam. The reality of the war is creeping in. The Guardian has a good summary of this.

What the Guardian, and others are missing is controlled opposition. Some of this is coming from Telegram Channels like Reverse Side of the Medal. Yes, it’s the channel for the Wagner Group, and indeed they were very angry at the disaster with the Donetsk river crossing.