The heinous act of terrorism at the Crocus City Hall concert venue just outside Moscow on Friday night – which is confirmed to have killed more than 130 people at the time of writing – has perhaps shaken Russia more than anything since a similar attack on a theater in the capital in 2002.
This latest atrocity will certainly have a major impact on the Russian people’s consciousness and the nation’s public security. It could also lead to serious changes in Moscow’s foreign policy, depending on the results of the investigation into the source of the attack and its masterminds. Considering the enormously high stakes involved in its findings and conclusions, there is no doubt that the investigation will have to be incredibly thorough.
The US government’s version of an Islamic State connection to the attack has been met with skepticism by Russian officials and commentators. Firstly, they were surprised by how quickly – virtually within minutes – Washington pointed the finger at the group. What also drew the attention of Russian observers was the US reference to an IS-linked news site which had claimed responsibility for the crime. Normally, all such sources are subjected to thorough checks. But not this time. Figures in Russia have also noted that American spokesmen immediately, and without prompting, declared that Ukraine was in no way linked to the act of terror.
Other criticisms of the American version include the style of the attack (no political statements or demands were made); the admission by one of the captured attackers that he had shot innocent people for money; and the fact that this was not planned as a suicide operation. Many experts have pointed out that IS is far from its prime, and that Russian forces defeated its core elements in Syria years ago. This has allowed speculation to grow about a false flag attack.
Ukraine, true to form, and alone among the nations of the world, has suggested that the Crocus City atrocity was an operation carried out by Russia’s own secret services, launched to facilitate a further tightening of the political regime and a new wave of mobilization. Clearly nonsensical, this interpretation invoked in many Russian minds the old proverb, “liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his five-minute address to the nation on Saturday, refrained from rolling out the Kremlin’s own version. His words and his demeanor were calm, but the style of his remarks was stern. Those behind the attack “will be punished whoever they are and wherever they may be,” the president declared. The direction of Putin’s thinking was revealed by the two facts – not conjectures – he raised: that the terrorists, having fled the scene of the assault, had been apprehended not far (100km or so) from the Ukrainian border, and that “information” had been obtained that they intended to cross the border into Ukraine, where “they had contacts.”
The results of the Russian investigation will be enormously important. If Moscow concludes that the attack was conceived, planned, and organized by the Ukrainians – say, the military intelligence agency GUR – Putin’s public warning would logically mean that the agency’s leaders [and Zelensky potentially] will not just be “legitimate” targets, but priority ones for Russia.
(Rest of the article at the link)
While there are many valid reasons to disagree with Russia’s present government (none of which relate to its foreign policy and actions in Ukraine), I’d argue anyone with decency ought to have a deep appreciation for Russia. Though they have fallen far from grace since the dissolution of the USSR, they were the heart of the first communist state and socialist development for much of the 20th century, and they are the historical champions of decolonization and anti-imperialism and have the gratitude of billions for said actions- and they are returning to that mantle.
It may be critical support, and it may be with sad awareness of its many problems nowadays- but I love Russia, Russian culture, and Russians. The world at large loves Russia; all those with a decent heart and soul love Russia, I’d argue (the reasons may be wrong for some- a minority of reactionary whites in the west- but overwhelmingly across the global south and the left is a fully valid appreciation of Russia). Russia is a true civilization unlike the plunder-based, genocidal terrorist-states of the west; Russia has a rich culture and history which has been at the forefront of most of humanity’s triumphs over the past century; Russia is a nation whose existence symbolizes true freedom by means of true liberation for the masses of humanity through that history (hence why, from much of Africa, to those sensible parts of Latin America, to India, to China, etc. people wave Russian flags and cheer on Russia’s victories); Russia is beautiful, and its present actions in Ukraine against the axis of global fascism and imperialism, and its increasing self-certainty and full alignment with the global south and even those most maligned by the west within it (like North Korea or Palestine) are infinitely beautiful, and have my full support and appreciation.
So, yes- I’m a Russiaboo, though a sensible one, and one who can recognize also Russia’s (presently only domestic) faults and would stand against them where necessary. But Russia deserves our gratitude, if not necessarily our support (nowadays in Ukraine, west Africa, North Korea, Palestine, and integration with China and Iran though? Absolutely it deserves our support). Russia will always symbolize to me the triumph of humanity- albeit one that comes with a somber but important reminder of the dangers of revisionism and liberalism. Russia has carved its name upon history as one of the great liberators, great heroes of history, just as the Anglosphere and western Europe have carved their name upon history as the scourge of humanity, its worst genocidaires and warmongers.
Perfect comment, comrade. I think this comment perfectly nails the Marxist-Leninist stance on Modern Russia.
Oh man, thank you for this. Thank you for putting these thoughts into words.
I’ve said before on lemmy that i struggle to express what i mean and feel, so people like you who can are highly appreciated by people like me when you do so.
Lol so this comment is just to let you know of my appreciation, I know i can upvote to show it too.