Somethings Never Change
Today, Yigal Levin had the video and description of two command bunkers of senior Russian officers. One was a Brigadier, the other a Colonel. This came to mind as I read: Yes, Gogol should be your introduction to Russia. Indeed, he was Ukrainian, but his short stories of the late Tsarist period are a quick introduction to modern-day Russia.
This is from chapter one, where the traveler meets the locals, including the governor. After this, I will post the two descriptions. Unfortunately, video is not readily available on this app, so I will do my best to write a short description and screencaps for these underground dachas. The General’s is even more outrageous than the colonel’s. It also talks about the Russian army and why they have more separation within the ranks than we do.
And to be brutal, some of this would not be tolerated in a Western army. If you have served, you will understand this. Privates eat before sergeants. Sergeants eat before lieutenants, and so on. This is not the Russian way. The supply officer is the best fed in a Russian unit and does side business. But he always saves some for the commanders. The commanders would only mostly receive the least popular ration if we were short on MREs. Nope, we shan’t talk of Tuna surprise, ok? So here, enjoy this short section:
As for the other category, it comprised individuals who, stout, or of the same build as Chichikov (that is to say, neither very portly nor very lean), backed and sidled away from the ladies, and kept peering hither and thither to see…