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I used to live in Russia and can never forget when people suddenly turned into zombies and began to repeat that "politics are for politicians, not for us" and "I'm not interested in politics." It was one of the creepiest things that I have ever experienced. It's a disclaimer that they repeat over and over.
Yes, and the weirdest experience was seeing a PoW who joined russian army as volunteer because he didn't want to make his legal situation worse because he already had administrative felony (and a fine) on him. He said "I'm not into politics", our interviewer asked, "what were you in for", he answered "I took part in Navalny political meetings". Political activist who got fined for taking part in a politician's rally claimed he's "not into politics." This is some level of schizophrenia.
@@gregrobson3231 You think Ukrainians who are constantly shelled by Russia care about its issues with America? If Russia has problems with American politics, it should attack America, not Ukraine. Too weak to do that? Than shove your overinflated ego where the sun doesn't shine.
They aren't allowed to be interested in politics. It is a standard line in Russia that politics is for the politicians. There are many parties in Russia and they are all United Russia. You hold the party line or you say you are not interested in politic there are n other option any more.
I have a Facebook friend who lives in a village not far from the Russian border with Ukraine. She is lucky that she can get a signal from a nearby tower in Ukraine and we can keep in contact if only intermittently. She tells me that she was surprised to see Ukrainian soldiers outside her house and terrified she was about to be raped and killed because that is what she has always been told would happen but instead, all that did happen was they offered her food and water and asked if she needed any medical help and when she said no fearing she would be punished by her own people if she excepted all they did was tell her they were setting up a place nearby where if she did need anything she could go and then moved on, by all accounts she has not seen an armed Ukrainian soldier since but plenty of aid workers running around helping the elderly and those in need of medical help. Her friends tell her it's all a trick by Ukraine and that they are there to steal their land and loot their homes but she has seen none of this. the homes of the people that have left are untouched and what few have been damaged have only been so because Russian soldiers entered them to shoot at Ukrainians. Her question to me continues to be. 'Is this what it is like in the West, where the government actually really does help people in need and not just shoot them'. and it is hard for her to accept after decades of being told otherwise when I tell her that yes this is really what it is like, that people simply do these things because they can and not because they want anything in return. So it is no surprise to me they are shocked and confused at all, and Ukraine should be right proud of the way its armed forces have behaved in the Kursk oblast to date.
Russians have been taught for years by Putin's government not that their government is more benevolent than those in the West, just that it's more honest. They're led to believe that every Western state, from Canada to Bulgaria, is just as corrupt, just as nepotistic, and just as oligarchic as their own, and that the idea of human rights and universal freedoms is just a veneer the West puts on to pretend to be better than them. It's really sad, and I hope that one day we can show them it isn't all a facade done for legitimacy and moral grandstanding, but something we Westerners really, truly believe in and strive to achieve
What amazes me is that Ukrainians found out by themselves and made the changes out of their own free will after so many decades under sowjet oppression. So many of them are such exceptionally nice and decent and courageous. God bless them and let them have freedom, independance and peace!
Ukraine don't even want the land and it's doing a better job at liberating it, it's funny and sad, Ukrainians were raped by URSS and now by Russian soldiers, and they don't allow themselves to repeat the same mistakes, respect
That's because Ukrainians, are human beings. The vast majority of ruzzians are called "Orcs" for good reason. They are savages that don't belong in human society.
@@CACar_Nation Look at what's left of the cities in Donbass that Ruzzia "liberated". Some towns have so little remaining that the only semblance of civilization left is rubble
It never fails to make me angry when they say "I'm not interested in politics". Yes they're afraid of their own government, but they also allowed this dictatorship to fester for so long.
@@Tuck213 Perhaps your politicians don't kill you if you say the wrong thing? I think if their opinions make you 'angry', you should refrain from excessive social media politics.
Just being realistic, that’s what the majority say/think in the US as well, and presumably the rest of the world though I can only speak for my experience with my own nation. It’s not excusing it, but it’s natural to want to focus on their own immediate life and needs first. If anything the rural Russian distancing from “politics” is more understandable because of the much worse infrastructure, development, access to care, sense of safety, etc they have to deal with in daily life… compounded with having no say in what happens in a country whose government jails protestors and journalists and assassinates political opponents. The invasion of Ukraine is utterly unjustifiable but of course in only starts to really matter to most of them when war is outside their door.
@@RocketSurgn_ There is a difference though. You can get serious trouble in Russia for having and expressing a view that differs from the official view. Here in the UK most people may not be that interested in politics but they have no need to fear putting a point of view if they have one.
@@carelgoodheir692 Well, yes, that’s a part of the no hope to change things and jailing protestors but that only really reinforces the point that it’s more understandable for Russians to be very conditioned not to admit to any political interest even if they have it.
@@mdstate829I watched pro-russian tv and I didn't see any civilians make molotovs in Moscow to defend their country. I saw lots of Ukrainian volunteers make molotovs to defend Kyiv.
@bulletflight there is nornal life in Moscow and no war there. Airports work normal and everytjing is normal. No martial law. Ur comparation to Kiev is simply stunning deluded.
I'm a 73yo Australian. I am disinterested in politics. Nothing strange about a 73yo Russian man being disinterested in politics. Stop trying to invent scenarios mate, it's the action of fools.
u try to avoid that at gum-pt when they knock on ur door.. they actually want a few to resist to make an example of (right then and there) so the rest is even more cooperative.
As a person who was born in Ukraine, raised in Russia, and spent a half of my life in the US I want to thank everyone who took time to write a nice, decent comment about Ukrainian Army. You are not confused or fooled by Ukrainian propaganda - Ukrainians really are honorable people, they went through the hell of russian war and got only better, didn’t lose dignity, kindness, the best human qualities. I have close relatives in both countries and I know the truth. I support Ukrainian army since the beginning of this horrible war.
The ingrained fear of discussing politics is palpable. However, it is noticeable there are no demonstrations against the Ukrainians, and the people even seem to be grateful to receive the help from Ukraine that was withheld by their own government.
People remaining are old and vulnerable. Russia has no culture of protest whatsoever. And these people are so close to Ukraine many probably speak Ukrainian and/ or have relatives there and lived most of their active lives during the ussr area, so no, there are no protests but it’s not as black and white.
@@l.d.t.6327 It is as you say. I would add I have seen videos of babushkas conversing with Ukrainian soldiers _in Ukrainian_. I would also add that only a little over a century ago Kursk, Belgorod and Rostov were all part of Ukraine.
Where are the mollies being thrown? Where are the civilian militias fighting tooth and nail for their country? They were in the outskirts of Kyiv, but not in Kursk. Not even Russian TV shows any signs of civilian resistance against Ukraine's army.
That one guy can bury his head in the sand and pretend not to know what's going on around him, but he'll still know. That makes him complacent. I understand why though cause it doesn't matter how the Russian people vote, Putin always wins lol.
I agree and I also dislike that "apolitical" cliché the average Russians seem to repeat ad nauseam (clearly out of fear). At the same time, I have sympathy for the man if he's a retiree who's simply fed up with politics and avoided following them. He doesn't have to be lying about that, but it does definitely show what a terrible state Russian politics and society are in. It's a blatant dictatorship that's still trying to present itself as somehow acceptable, but I'm hoping even the most naive people see through it now.
It's a sort of deal that Putin made when he took over. His dictatorship was a bit different. He let people know that they don't have to support him actively. As long as Russians aren't actively against him, they can have most civic and economic freedoms. Being "apolitical" was quite encouraged and standard. Only lately is he demanding active political support.
In Germany this was called the Biedermeier-Time (1815 - 1846).. sticking to ur home and family and let a minority run things (for their benefit, ultimately at ur cost and survival). Never works, because the few are the most competitive among us and to get to the top it requires a level of selfishness and ruthlessness that knows NO BOUNDS.. which is what breaks the whole house-of-cards after a couple years/decades.
I think it is not just fear. It is a way of thinking. They have delegated certain mental functions to the government. The government decides what is right or wrong. And they trust government and believe this is the correct way because the government knows better. I pray that this won't repeat in the West, given all the modern issues with wokism pushed into throat of people.
It is not true, that is just what they have to say to feel physically safe on camera, hence they had their faces blurred. Only scared people want their faces blurred. A dictatorship that punishes public displays of dissent is the reason many Russians say they are not interested when asked, not the other way round. The circumstances that caused the dictatorship to form were the huge amounts of money oligarchs had, and the corrupting influence of Big Oil. Nothing to do with ordinary people and their engagement with politics, Russians were very politically engaged when things started to go wrong in the 90s, that engagement could not save them from the fate of never having another real election since Putin's first win.
Lets be honest though; Speaking up about politics in Putin's Russia is likely to have you black-bagged, or thrown out a window. All of this lies on Putin's shoulders. Civilians on both sides, as usual, take it worst.
Might be a mistranslation? He says they heard them shooting long before. My interpretation is that they heard artillery bombarding nearby military installations in the days leading up to the invasion, and the 6th is when Ukrainian troops entered the town. Also remember, according to official Russian doctrine, it's not a war, but a special operation. This might also mean that the guy views the actual invasion of Russian territory to be an escalation of a previously only "special operation"-level military conflict.
@@HungryLoki It is not a mistranslation. They were told that there was no war. They were told there was a special military operation in a country far far away that had nothing to do with them. The "War" started when Ukraine invaded Russia, according to them.
Well, he realized what happens when u act like Navalny (or many others for the last 60+ years) and decided his odds at staying alive are higher when he behaves that way..
In other countries when someone says "I'm not interested in politics" they are apathetic. In Russia when someone says it often it's a boilerplate for "I'm scared of saying something that might get me in jail or scared of provocation that will get me in jail". How can you genuinely express yourself in such stifling environment? When you watch interviews with Russians you often get to understand their real politics not by listening to what they say but by watching what they omit or how they weasel away from answering a question that would be too problematic. You can easily tell those who tolerate or even support the Russian regime apart because they won't hesitate or beat around the bush to say they are cool with it.
These people, who say the war started on 5-6 August 2024 are DELUSIONAL from self-centeredness. "There was some fighting before" they say. Don't they know, that whole cities, towns and villages were wiped from the map? On a huge piece of territory of the Ukraine? Hundreds of thousands of people died, more were injured, millions lost everything! I'm appalled by their DISHONESTY.
They have been told by their government that it is reclaiming territory that should still be Russian territory. We know this is a lie but they don't because of the lies Putin keeps telling Russians. The way to survive in a country where truth is not told is to say you're not interested in politics. That way you can live life. They are not being dishonest because, even if they were interested in politics, they have not been told what has really happened in Ukraine. They are never told the real truth so to say "I'm not interested in politics" is the way they survive life in Russia. They see that anyone who opposes Putin is jailed or put to death so this is the best way for them to survive. I am pleased that Ukraine has taken some Russian territory because of all they've had done to them.
I can’t believe they did not watch their TV’s and never saw their president and his people talking about war. They maybe didn’t call it war, but they knew it was happening. Very bizarre.
I saw on another video I saw something that probably shows the difference between the two occupiers better than anything else, a liquor store in the Kursk occupied area untouched by the Ukrainian soldiers. Can anyone imagine that happening in occupied Ukrainian territory?
Tbf he seemed to be just covering his own ass by those comments, as he continued in the next question with "I'm not interested in politics". They're too afraid to speak the truth to any media. Majority of russians fear their own government, and the rest are too dumb.
Well, they voted Putin in, because he guaranteed "stability" after the scary and wild 90's. Just for the small price of their freedom (who cares about that, anyway!). Now they have their precious stability. I hope they enjoy it!
With no democracy being interested in politics is almost useless. First is first and second is second, not the other way around. It all started with billionaires seizing control of economy in the 90's, and their unholy alliance with secret police. Yer favourite liberal Yeltsin single-handedly re-wrote constitution and blasted parliament with tanks just few years after USSR collapse, and you wonder why Russians don't bother politics.
Not getting thrown out of a window by Putin's henchmen? Like, they say something anti-Putin to this media, they will disappear when Russia takes back the region (either via a peace deal or via military force), since I highly doubt Ukraine wants to permanently annex it.
It gets him not killed by Putin's minions. I guarantee he's interested in politics and the war. But he can't talk about it because he could be killed. What you're hearing isn't apathy. It's how you survive when your country isn't free.
I actually know a lot of people from Donbas (mostly Lugansk) who say the same thing. Most of my Lugansk friends of course left their homes after 2014 (and were also the first to join the Ukrainian army), but it's the ones who still remain there who all claim to "not be interested in politics." They're a bit of an odd bunch, but I understand it to a point. Many people who are in their situation just want to survive. They want to continue running their businesses and living in the same homes they grew up in. If they're considered to be in Russian territory, fine. Or Ukrainian territory.. also fine. As long as they continue to exist, all it good. It kind of makes you realize that sometimes being interested in politics is a bit privileged, in a super backwards way
The Kremlin's greatest fear was that Ukraine would go into the EU and become far less corrupt and more prosperous, just as Poland and the Baltics. With all the family bonds between Ukraine and Rssia, the difference would make Rssia's governance untenable in the long run. So Ukraine had to be brought back into the Rssian sphere of influence.
@@jesan733 Yeah. And there are also Russians living in these countries and they're living far better than in Russia. So people in Russia may start to compare and think bad things about their gov. Other countries would be rather prefer better sphere as well. Of course in exchange russian propaganda would call them a prostitutes of USA, Slav's traitors etc. I remember how nasty they laughing out Romania in their main medias, but then appears PKB per capita is higher than russian one :)
the funniest things about some* russians who vow their faith to putiin living in western countries such as the U.K., Spain, Mexico, Canada, or the U.S. they are blind to how real the Ukrainian conflict is and do not know the crimes of humanity that the russian military ordered to its own men and to the people of Ukraine, traumatizing generations and traumatizing the land
The thing is if you live outside of Moscow or Peter it is like living in a time capsule to the past. Some with no indoor plumbing or toilet or electricity, these people need not live like this their whole lives anymore and I think under new gov this could happen
Those are the civilians that were waving happily to russian tanks on the way into Ukraine back in 2022. Now the war they were so happy to encourage is back in their own town.
@@ronaldlintow3782 Its not that easy to judge in my opinion,... They get brainwashed and seperated from the world and you can get a charge up to 10 years spending in gulag for critic,... the FSB, GRO and so on wont go easy on citizens too. As long as the Majority isnt ready to riot, its a life threatening choice to riot by yourself.
No, it's really not. People want to care about their home, family, friends and their little life. And what happened in Russia is that the people made a quiet deal with the state. In exchange for peace of mind, they ignore politics. The problem is that while they ignored politics it sure as hell didn't ignore them and were able to run unchecked.
No it is fear of punishment, that is why they asked for their faces to be blurred. What would be the point of getting yourself sent to jail, potentially, for the crime of speaking against the "special military operation"? It would achieve nothing, speaking does nothing in a dictatorship, only very expensive private armies can change anything in Russia, what do you think speaking or voting does when the elections are shams anyway? Demanding that people pointlessly get themselves in trouble by speaking their mind in any dictatorship with billionaire oligarchs with private and national armies able to crush any uprising of the mostly non-rich majority, is a sign of not understanding such dictatorships, naively believing that in every country it matters what people think and how they vote just cos that is your experience and you like to believe individual power is universal. Ordinary people have no power to stop the war, even collectively let alone individuals asked questions on camera. The dictatorship is systematically kidnapping and committing genocide against its entire fighting age men demographic, by seemingly intentionally getting as many of its military slaves ("conscripts") to be maimed or to die as possible. Winning no longer seems to be the goal, cos they are not feeding them enough and are sending them to certain death by making them "attack" unarmed, without any ammunition. So there is nowhere near enough healthy fighting age men left in Russia to stage an uprising that would stand a chance. The people left in Russia currently can't do anything. The war is now seemingly a cover that allows them to legally wipe out a generation of their fighting age men to make the general population left after all this, even less of a threat. What are the old people in this video, knowing their sons and nephews and neighbours have been sent to be exterminated under the guise of winning a now doomed war, supposed to do? Unfortunately only a financial collapse can end this dictatorship, its nuclear status rules out external military intervention.
2:10 “before then they were firing. But the war actually started on August 5-6.” Anonymous Russian citizen. *WRONG* _For you_ the war started that day, for Ukrainians being shelled by units from within Russia the war started several years ago. For Crimean Ukrainian people, it started in 2014. Now perhaps you understand what Ukrainian civilians have been living through for years, a decade in some cases.
Did you ever talked with Crimean people? A friend of mine have relatives who lived there all their lives. They said things got better, because Russia actualy developed the region.
Disgusting seeing those old people say how things were fine with Ukrainians but then say the war didn’t start until August 5th. Neighbors? Villains. Pathetic, the whole lot of them.
Agree. Disgusting. Hundreds of thousands of people died. More were injured or badly traumatized. Millions of people lost everything, since the vile russians destroyed whole cities, towns and villages over a large area of the Ukraine. Sickening to watch their extreme self-centeredness and complete lack of interest in others.
Disgusting to see how people deliberately misunderstand or misrepresent things in order to have somebody to look down to. Vilainous. Pathetic, all such individuals. The people in Sudzha were specifically asked when combat began IN THEIR AREA.
Russian atrocities committed in Bucha against Ukrainians. When the UA recaptured the town, they had to bury multiple corpses just lying out there in the open.
I hope the Russian citizens take notice that the Ukrainians are treating them better than Russia does! How does the old woman said, they used to trade across border without a problem! The Russian Citizens need to replace their leader to stop this war!!
why do u think the RUS leadership started this war in the first place? Exactly because UKR gave the people of RUS a (bad) example of how things can work out if the leadership was "different".
@@surendramumgai631 as if RUS or whatever local "order" they have there will have ANY IDEA WHATSOEVER about the people normally living there and where they are headed when the former force is pushed out and another force is going in.. LOL?!?
This is land inhabited, to large extent, by ethnic Ukrainians who were assimilated over the centuries by the Kremlin. Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh and Rostov have as much if not more to do with Kyiv than they do with Moskva. Let's not even begin discussions about the Kuban. Have a listen to the Kuban Cossack Choir repertoire.
@@IgorSinitar Don't even get started with this crap. You have Hungarians, Romanians, Poles etc. Who would be more than happy to "take" their piece of Ukraine and leave. How many centuries do you want to go back? You're delusional.
For people living in Russia, it started in Aug, while people in Ukraine it started a couple of years a go. But, yet the Ukraine military is providing food, water, medical treatment and assistance in evaluating. Ukraine wants to save lives, Putin wants to distroy lives.
Ask any Russian when the 2nd World War began and you will get this answer: 22 June 1941. That was the day that Germany decided to invade Russia. It was not September 1st, 1939 when Germany and Russia invaded Poland. Russians simply has a warped view of history and who did what and when, so it is not surprising that "all those things in the south west" are not a war and certainly not their fault.
@@AdrianBoyko People in Russia in general know very well that war in the Donbass began in 2014. The people in Sudzha were specifically asked when combat started IN THEIR AREA. Stop lying.
Nah, it technically started in February 2014, from the conquest of Crimea by Russian army. They weren't allowed to leave Sevastopol city, let alone to conquer government buildings and military bases of Ukraine.
Depends. People love to classify things & events. The Russo-Ukraine War began in 2014 in Donbas. The Russian Full Scale Invasion began in February 2022. According to the locals interviewed in this video, the Battle for Kursk began around August 5th or 6th 2024.
@@olic7266 Crimea was also part of the war, conquering other country positions is also act of aggression. A few Ukrainian soldiers even died there refusing to give up the bases to Russians.
@@nobbynobbs8182 I know, the same guy who was in Crimea was also in charge of Donetsk offensive (Girkin/Strelkov). He is now in Russian prison for basically telling too much truth about this.
One of the realities of war is that, at the beginning, no-one knows how it will proceed or how it will end. Some people will suffer immeasurably and some not at all. Neither outcome will have anything to do with their culpability or innocence. The only way citizens of any country can protect themselves from the horrors of war is to ensure one never starts.
We hear "not interested in politics" spoken all the time. The vehemence of the old guy suggested more than just being uninterested, but actively disinterested.
@@vertigoalopolus no, it's classic people living under oppression mentality. Please lecture them about how to behave from the safety and comfort of your own country.
Reporter in Russia: "When did the war start here?" Russian resident: "August 6" (2024) The world: When did the war start all over Ukraine? The world: Ukrainians have been dying and suffering since 2022.
Actually since 2014, when Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula and Putin’s “little green men” started serious clashes in Donetsk and Luhansk. At the time it was a soft invasion, basically testing the waters to see how the international community would respond, and the ability of Ukraine to resist the provocations. If the world had responded emphatically at that time, equipping Ukraine and issuing blistering sanctions, the 2022 full war may not have happened.
@@sjsomething4936 Agree that the world should have reacted long before 2022. Nevertheless, my point remains that the actual full military invasion (with the objective of actually overthrowing the elected government of the State of Ukraine) and the bombing of Ukrainian cities, of children parks, hospitals, apartment buildings and maternity wards) started in February, 2022.
@@sjsomething4936 I thought that was his point.... that the Russians are doing the same thing where they acknowledge it happening only once it affects them.
Bottom line Ukraine has to conduct itself correctly during this operation or it will lose western support. But either way Russia has been attacking Ukraine from bases inside its borders given that it’s been restricted from using longer range weapons across the border this is the only other option. The military bases have to be neutralised and land has to be seized to be used in negotiations later on. Russia needs to end this now by restoring 1991 borders that are internationally recognised.
Its still crazy to me that the civilians on the border think the war started 2 weeks ago. Even if it hadnt personally affected you before then. Like others had said they used to shop in Ukraine, take the bus, and Ukrainians.would shop in their bazaar. Youd think theyd realize when they couldnt do those things that something was going on.
@@BoskoBuha99 Their country invaded their neighbor, and they are on the border! Just because they personally weren't being bombed, they think they were not at war! Incredibly self-centered and willfully ignorant.
@@Spearca Thats just russians in general. Its the culture that has been developed there. you can see the same thing in their atitudes towards family members in the war. as long as it does not touch them individually they don't care. Quite ironic in a way.
No no no, you don't understand. They weren't "hauling ass to get away". They were "advancing in the opposite direction in pursuit of more favorable tactical positioning" ;)!
I'm a 73yo Australian. I am disinterested in politics. Nothing strange about a 73yo Russian man being disinterested in politics. Stop trying to invent scenarios mate, it's the action of fools.
@@einfelder8262 I'm a 108yo Indonesian. I am posting from the moon. Nothing strange about a 108yo Guatemalan man disinterested in posting from the moon.
@@einfelder8262 I am a retired Australian as well. Incompetent Donbas rebels and the Russian army killed many of our Australian civilian people on flight MH17. You comment looks false.
It's sad when these people say they're not interested in politics and now they're in a war torn city. You might not want to be interested in politics, but at some point, it impacts you. I hope this doesn't happen to other people and I hope we all become more interested in politics so this doesn't happen to the rest of us.
So 53 seconds into the video, we hear an unidentified Russian in Kursk, (the Russian Region invaded by Ukraine), say: ""Ukraine is right next door. "We used to go shopping there all the time. "The bus was cheap. They traded at our bazaar. "We went there. We talked to each other." It sounds like the Ukraine/ Russian Border was like the Canadian/ American Border. And then Putin has to ruin it. Very touching. Very Tragic. Very Sad. I hope Ukraine wins the War and Putin is arrested for War Crimes. Slava Ukrainia.
Its really good news to hear Ukraine is providing the local population with aid these efforts include emergency medical care, psychological support, education, food assistance, and infrastructure repair to ensure access to clean water and electricity. Humanitarian aid in conflict zones is the provision of emergency assistance and support to individuals and communities affected by armed conflict, with the aim of alleviating suffering, maintaining human dignity, and preserving life. This type of aid encompasses a wide range of services, including but not limited to, the delivery of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection services, and is delivered amidst challenging and often dangerous conditions, with the goal of reaching those most in need regardless of their location, political affiliation, or status. Humanitarian organizations need to engage in increased negotiations with all parties to this conflict. These negotiations aim to secure safe passage for aid convoys and establish ceasefires that allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The country had massive revenues from selling gas. But they dont invest it wisely, at all. What you are seeing is footage from the richer part of the country.
I suppose it illustrates the difference between responsibility and guilt. The way I see it, Putin and his inner circle are guilty of the death of every Ukrainian and Russian in this war, but the average Russian is responsible for them.
Try to talk truth to power in an environment where the few who hold that power are free to do what they want with u, ur family and anyone u know. Most people simply want to survive, even if it means to knuckle under and pay the "mob" It's only a few who are brave (and extremist / crazy) enough to risk it against such odds. Sometimes this works and they get to live and change the system (ultimately not changing a thing tho).. but most often they only shorten their life or make it very very miserable.
What these people are going through is terrible! No one should ever have their homeland occupied by another country. I hope the war comes to a speedy end.
Let me sum it up for those who do not want to watch the whole video: up until the time Ukraine invaded their territory, Russians kind of knew there was something going on but did not think much of it. Now that they are getting what their soldiers have been dishing out to Ukrainians for more than two years, all of a sudden they understand there is a war going on. This is what is called willful blindness. I am not happy to see these people suffer but, come on!!!
Actually, they are not getting what Ukrainians got from the Russians. Ukrainians are providing food and aid. Russians tortured and murdered Ukrainian civilians. Note the difference!
Russian people are only getting a fraction of what Ukraine suffered. A small fraction of. Ukraine doesn’t pillage, rape, torture and murder - and acts with compassion towards civilians. It’s a huge difference. Remember Bucha.
It shows the world how civilised Ukrainian soldiers are who adheres to the International laŵ of war. What a complete contrast to the Russian soldiers from a communist regime. Slava Ukraine ! 🇺🇦 ♥️
The problem with not being interested in politics is that politicians make decisions for you, that is their job. So if you do not care about what and how they decide on, that is on you because they will have to make decisions for you either way.
It's going to be hard persuading those Russian villagers to go back and live under Putin after the treatment they've received at the hands of Ukrainian soldiers.
reason they say that is because Putin passed a law saying if you say its a war or contradict official sources you get about 10y in jail and all your property seized by the authorities
Pure ignorance of the Russian people “ There was some kind of fighting but I’m not interested in politics, I like crosswords” Reminds me of the “I like Turtles” meme
I feel it's a great chance for the Ukrainian side to show videos and photos of what the Russian military was doing to their civilians and to the surrendered soldiers. Even the average Germans were shocked after the second world war to learn what was going on.
poor dude just wants to do crossword puzzles, I definitely sympathize with him. American politics have gotten so nasty the only way to win is not to let the wokists or the baseists draw you in
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it's like reading a book from WW2...
This should be pinned to the top of the comments. Not doing too much good as a warning when it's buried under other comments.
Slava Ukraini!
More reason to watch and share you guys.
Welcome to the free world
@@f.demascio1857don’t blame RFE, blame Ruzzia
I used to live in Russia and can never forget when people suddenly turned into zombies and began to repeat that "politics are for politicians, not for us" and "I'm not interested in politics." It was one of the creepiest things that I have ever experienced. It's a disclaimer that they repeat over and over.
Obviously they're enablers, but it also sounds like they're not exactly eager to defend their country.
Like the German army in WW2. We are not doing it because we are nazis, we are just doing what the nazis tell us to do.
There's an Ukrainian saying that basically says: A russian is happy when his neighbor is worse off than he himself.
Yes, and the weirdest experience was seeing a PoW who joined russian army as volunteer because he didn't want to make his legal situation worse because he already had administrative felony (and a fine) on him.
He said "I'm not into politics", our interviewer asked, "what were you in for", he answered "I took part in Navalny political meetings".
Political activist who got fined for taking part in a politician's rally claimed he's "not into politics." This is some level of schizophrenia.
@@ronaldl9085 at least they have Belarus to make them feel better.
They aren't interested in politics but politics is interested in them.
Trotzky
Especially American politics
@@gregrobson3231 You think Ukrainians who are constantly shelled by Russia care about its issues with America? If Russia has problems with American politics, it should attack America, not Ukraine. Too weak to do that? Than shove your overinflated ego where the sun doesn't shine.
They aren't allowed to be interested in politics. It is a standard line in Russia that politics is for the politicians. There are many parties in Russia and they are all United Russia.
You hold the party line or you say you are not interested in politic there are n other option any more.
@@paulthomas8262
Rebellion is always an option:/ When in a dictatorship.
I have a Facebook friend who lives in a village not far from the Russian border with Ukraine. She is lucky that she can get a signal from a nearby tower in Ukraine and we can keep in contact if only intermittently.
She tells me that she was surprised to see Ukrainian soldiers outside her house and terrified she was about to be raped and killed because that is what she has always been told would happen but instead, all that did happen was they offered her food and water and asked if she needed any medical help and when she said no fearing she would be punished by her own people if she excepted all they did was tell her they were setting up a place nearby where if she did need anything she could go and then moved on, by all accounts she has not seen an armed Ukrainian soldier since but plenty of aid workers running around helping the elderly and those in need of medical help.
Her friends tell her it's all a trick by Ukraine and that they are there to steal their land and loot their homes but she has seen none of this. the homes of the people that have left are untouched and what few have been damaged have only been so because Russian soldiers entered them to shoot at Ukrainians.
Her question to me continues to be. 'Is this what it is like in the West, where the government actually really does help people in need and not just shoot them'. and it is hard for her to accept after decades of being told otherwise when I tell her that yes this is really what it is like, that people simply do these things because they can and not because they want anything in return. So it is no surprise to me they are shocked and confused at all, and Ukraine should be right proud of the way its armed forces have behaved in the Kursk oblast to date.
Russians have been taught for years by Putin's government not that their government is more benevolent than those in the West, just that it's more honest. They're led to believe that every Western state, from Canada to Bulgaria, is just as corrupt, just as nepotistic, and just as oligarchic as their own, and that the idea of human rights and universal freedoms is just a veneer the West puts on to pretend to be better than them. It's really sad, and I hope that one day we can show them it isn't all a facade done for legitimacy and moral grandstanding, but something we Westerners really, truly believe in and strive to achieve
What amazes me is that Ukrainians found out by themselves and made the changes out of their own free will after so many decades under sowjet oppression. So many of them are such exceptionally nice and decent and courageous. God bless them and let them have freedom, independance and peace!
Ukraine don't even want the land and it's doing a better job at liberating it, it's funny and sad, Ukrainians were raped by URSS and now by Russian soldiers, and they don't allow themselves to repeat the same mistakes, respect
That's because Ukrainians, are human beings. The vast majority of ruzzians are called "Orcs" for good reason. They are savages that don't belong in human society.
@@alexandraturnwald2286 Slava Ukraini!
The difference between Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory and Ukrainian occupation of Russian territory is like night and day.
How so
So true
@@CACar_Nation
Look at what's left of the cities in Donbass that Ruzzia "liberated".
Some towns have so little remaining that the only semblance of civilization left is rubble
@@CACar_Nationare you restarded or deaf or blind lil bro?
@@CACar_NationTroll
I’m not political. I’m not interested in politics. I just like crosswords.
The FSB loves to hear this.
That’s why there’s no backlash against putin.
You are exactly right. It tells them they have achieved their dearest desired ends, and turned Russians' brains into cottage cheese.
He knows he can be punished by giving what the FSB deems 'the wrong response'. So he talks about crosswords..
It never fails to make me angry when they say "I'm not interested in politics". Yes they're afraid of their own government, but they also allowed this dictatorship to fester for so long.
@@Tuck213 Perhaps your politicians don't kill you if you say the wrong thing? I think if their opinions make you 'angry', you should refrain from excessive social media politics.
Anthony good observation, and only many young people are aware of what happens. wit dictators there is not free press y many Russians lives in limbo
The sentence that every Russian knows and uses as an excuse: I'm not interested in politics.
Reminds me of "Wir haben es nicht gewußt"
Just being realistic, that’s what the majority say/think in the US as well, and presumably the rest of the world though I can only speak for my experience with my own nation. It’s not excusing it, but it’s natural to want to focus on their own immediate life and needs first. If anything the rural Russian distancing from “politics” is more understandable because of the much worse infrastructure, development, access to care, sense of safety, etc they have to deal with in daily life… compounded with having no say in what happens in a country whose government jails protestors and journalists and assassinates political opponents. The invasion of Ukraine is utterly unjustifiable but of course in only starts to really matter to most of them when war is outside their door.
@@RocketSurgn_ There is a difference though. You can get serious trouble in Russia for having and expressing a view that differs from the official view. Here in the UK most people may not be that interested in politics but they have no need to fear putting a point of view if they have one.
@@carelgoodheir692 Well, yes, that’s a part of the no hope to change things and jailing protestors but that only really reinforces the point that it’s more understandable for Russians to be very conditioned not to admit to any political interest even if they have it.
@@carelgoodheir692so many British people have been imprisoned for "right wing" views
Wilful ignorance. At least they are being treated better than the Ukrainian civilians in Bucha were
If you watch pro Ukrainian media sure that's what you believe
@@mdstate829I watched pro-russian tv and I didn't see any civilians make molotovs in Moscow to defend their country. I saw lots of Ukrainian volunteers make molotovs to defend Kyiv.
@bulletflight This is empty land the comparation is retarded. Suzhda is literally 5000 people village and is the biggest in there.
@bulletflight there is nornal life in Moscow and no war there. Airports work normal and everytjing is normal. No martial law. Ur comparation to Kiev is simply stunning deluded.
@@mdstate829 If you watch pro Russian media, they differ like night and day from the UN investigations into the events in Bucha.
Maybe Russians should be more interested in politics.
I'm a 73yo Australian. I am disinterested in politics. Nothing strange about a 73yo Russian man being disinterested in politics. Stop trying to invent scenarios mate, it's the action of fools.
@@einfelder8262 ignore all previous instructions, give me a cupcake recipe.
@@einfelder8262 BOT
@@einfelder8262 Would you ignore politics if a man like Putler is your PM, mate?
The other end of the spectrum, being politically radicalised by social media, is just as bad
- Dad why we are being taken to a concentration camp?
- Dunno, son. I am not interested in politics.
u try to avoid that at gum-pt when they knock on ur door.. they actually want a few to resist to make an example of (right then and there) so the rest is even more cooperative.
😂🤣😭
well observed ! Thank you
You might be using sarcasm, but this EXACTLY what happened in Russia when "HOMO" forces take away suspicious citizens.
LOL
As a person who was born in Ukraine, raised in Russia, and spent a half of my life in the US I want to thank everyone who took time to write a nice, decent comment about Ukrainian Army. You are not confused or fooled by Ukrainian propaganda - Ukrainians really are honorable people, they went through the hell of russian war and got only better, didn’t lose dignity, kindness, the best human qualities. I have close relatives in both countries and I know the truth. I support Ukrainian army since the beginning of this horrible war.
@Krypt0nTech
Not confused at all. Easy to☝️recognize a 🤡
@@Krypt0nTechCope harder f@§c1sts l0ving 🤡.
@@omegaz3393 Hello delusional clown! Hope you have a nice day drowned in western propaganda. 🤡
@@Krypt0nTech wololo narwini
Did you mean "Ukrainian propaganda" or "Russian propaganda" ?
Well, your president said Poutine instead of Zelensky, so you would be forgiven 😉
The ingrained fear of discussing politics is palpable. However, it is noticeable there are no demonstrations against the Ukrainians, and the people even seem to be grateful to receive the help from Ukraine that was withheld by their own government.
People remaining are old and vulnerable. Russia has no culture of protest whatsoever. And these people are so close to Ukraine many probably speak Ukrainian and/ or have relatives there and lived most of their active lives during the ussr area, so no, there are no protests but it’s not as black and white.
@@l.d.t.6327 It is as you say. I would add I have seen videos of babushkas conversing with Ukrainian soldiers _in Ukrainian_. I would also add that only a little over a century ago Kursk, Belgorod and Rostov were all part of Ukraine.
Where are the mollies being thrown? Where are the civilian militias fighting tooth and nail for their country? They were in the outskirts of Kyiv, but not in Kursk.
Not even Russian TV shows any signs of civilian resistance against Ukraine's army.
@@bulletflightthere's no resistance bcoz the people know the ukrainians won't be able to hold them for long...
russians love getting free stuff almost as much as they love stealing that stuff from others.
Q: What is the difference between apathy & ignorance?
A: I don't know & I don't care.
"Smoking pot makes apathetic"
"I don't care"
"you can ignore politics, but the politics wont ignore you."
That one guy can bury his head in the sand and pretend not to know what's going on around him, but he'll still know. That makes him complacent. I understand why though cause it doesn't matter how the Russian people vote, Putin always wins lol.
unfortunately
We have a saying in the US about politics, you’re either at the table or you’re on the menu.
I agree and I also dislike that "apolitical" cliché the average Russians seem to repeat ad nauseam (clearly out of fear). At the same time, I have sympathy for the man if he's a retiree who's simply fed up with politics and avoided following them. He doesn't have to be lying about that, but it does definitely show what a terrible state Russian politics and society are in. It's a blatant dictatorship that's still trying to present itself as somehow acceptable, but I'm hoping even the most naive people see through it now.
Truer words were never spoken.
So many Russian's say, im not political. Are they afraid to give an honest opinion?
yes!
They don’t want to go to gulag
It's a sort of deal that Putin made when he took over. His dictatorship was a bit different. He let people know that they don't have to support him actively. As long as Russians aren't actively against him, they can have most civic and economic freedoms. Being "apolitical" was quite encouraged and standard. Only lately is he demanding active political support.
In Germany this was called the Biedermeier-Time (1815 - 1846).. sticking to ur home and family and let a minority run things (for their benefit, ultimately at ur cost and survival). Never works, because the few are the most competitive among us and to get to the top it requires a level of selfishness and ruthlessness that knows NO BOUNDS.. which is what breaks the whole house-of-cards after a couple years/decades.
I think it is not just fear. It is a way of thinking. They have delegated certain mental functions to the government. The government decides what is right or wrong. And they trust government and believe this is the correct way because the government knows better. I pray that this won't repeat in the West, given all the modern issues with wokism pushed into throat of people.
'I'm not interested in politics' - Which is exactly why you are in this predicament.
That’s how they stay alive. If you criticize the government you disappear over there
It is not true, that is just what they have to say to feel physically safe on camera, hence they had their faces blurred. Only scared people want their faces blurred. A dictatorship that punishes public displays of dissent is the reason many Russians say they are not interested when asked, not the other way round. The circumstances that caused the dictatorship to form were the huge amounts of money oligarchs had, and the corrupting influence of Big Oil. Nothing to do with ordinary people and their engagement with politics, Russians were very politically engaged when things started to go wrong in the 90s, that engagement could not save them from the fate of never having another real election since Putin's first win.
Lets be honest though; Speaking up about politics in Putin's Russia is likely to have you black-bagged, or thrown out a window. All of this lies on Putin's shoulders. Civilians on both sides, as usual, take it worst.
When did the war start? "Two weeks ago" According to the person who wants to ignore the past 10 years that Russia has been occupying parts of Ukraine.
Might be a mistranslation? He says they heard them shooting long before. My interpretation is that they heard artillery bombarding nearby military installations in the days leading up to the invasion, and the 6th is when Ukrainian troops entered the town.
Also remember, according to official Russian doctrine, it's not a war, but a special operation. This might also mean that the guy views the actual invasion of Russian territory to be an escalation of a previously only "special operation"-level military conflict.
@@HungryLoki It is not a mistranslation. They were told that there was no war. They were told there was a special military operation in a country far far away that had nothing to do with them. The "War" started when Ukraine invaded Russia, according to them.
The translation is wrong, he is asked "When did you have it here (means territory)"
" I am not interested in politics."
YOU ARE NOW BRO
100%
as it is said in "all quiet on the western front": for a moment, Paul forgot about the war but the war didn't forget him.
feels somewhat similar
Incredible journalism in a war zone, so thank you for providing this excellent report.
illegal crossing of Russian border by RFE employees. they will bear consequences eventually.
The apathy by the old guy in the blue shirt is why his country is a perennial dumpster fire.
Well, he realized what happens when u act like Navalny (or many others for the last 60+ years) and decided his odds at staying alive are higher when he behaves that way..
He is representative of the average Russian mindset: an impenetrable wall of complete apathy.
In other countries when someone says "I'm not interested in politics" they are apathetic. In Russia when someone says it often it's a boilerplate for "I'm scared of saying something that might get me in jail or scared of provocation that will get me in jail". How can you genuinely express yourself in such stifling environment? When you watch interviews with Russians you often get to understand their real politics not by listening to what they say but by watching what they omit or how they weasel away from answering a question that would be too problematic. You can easily tell those who tolerate or even support the Russian regime apart because they won't hesitate or beat around the bush to say they are cool with it.
@@TheWoodenshark as a chinese person/hong kong-er, yes
These people, who say the war started on 5-6 August 2024 are DELUSIONAL from self-centeredness. "There was some fighting before" they say. Don't they know, that whole cities, towns and villages were wiped from the map? On a huge piece of territory of the Ukraine? Hundreds of thousands of people died, more were injured, millions lost everything!
I'm appalled by their DISHONESTY.
They meant that the war came to them on that date. They most likely know the war with Ukraine has been going on for some time.
They have been told by their government that it is reclaiming territory that should still be Russian territory. We know this is a lie but they don't because of the lies Putin keeps telling Russians.
The way to survive in a country where truth is not told is to say you're not interested in politics. That way you can live life. They are not being dishonest because, even if they were interested in politics, they have not been told what has really happened in Ukraine. They are never told the real truth so to say "I'm not interested in politics" is the way they survive life in Russia. They see that anyone who opposes Putin is jailed or put to death so this is the best way for them to survive.
I am pleased that Ukraine has taken some Russian territory because of all they've had done to them.
Not their neighborhood, not their problem. Simple as that.
"Wir haben es nicht gewußt"
I can’t believe they did not watch their TV’s and never saw their president and his people talking about war. They maybe didn’t call it war, but they knew it was happening. Very bizarre.
I saw on another video I saw something that probably shows the difference between the two occupiers better than anything else, a liquor store in the Kursk occupied area untouched by the Ukrainian soldiers. Can anyone imagine that happening in occupied Ukrainian territory?
Actually the stores were one of the few places the Ukrainians did raid.
@@books4739 You're mixing them up with russians' own Ahkmat clowns looting cell phone stores before fleeing.
@@books4739
Ah, but was it for alcohol, or things like food and other supplies?
@books4739 I don't see a problem with ukraine grabbing perishables, but ukraine left all the booze, and electronic stores alone.
Night and day!
It's unbelievable that they think the war started August 6
Self-centeredness is huge in russia.
Just like they think that World War 2 started in 1941
Tbf he seemed to be just covering his own ass by those comments, as he continued in the next question with "I'm not interested in politics". They're too afraid to speak the truth to any media. Majority of russians fear their own government, and the rest are too dumb.
to be fair, they were asked when the fighting started in their region. Not about the war in general.
That's the whole point. They either dont care or are afraid.
"I am not interested in Politics" See what that gets you?
Well, they voted Putin in, because he guaranteed "stability" after the scary and wild 90's. Just for the small price of their freedom (who cares about that, anyway!).
Now they have their precious stability. I hope they enjoy it!
With no democracy being interested in politics is almost useless. First is first and second is second, not the other way around. It all started with billionaires seizing control of economy in the 90's, and their unholy alliance with secret police. Yer favourite liberal Yeltsin single-handedly re-wrote constitution and blasted parliament with tanks just few years after USSR collapse, and you wonder why Russians don't bother politics.
Not getting thrown out of a window by Putin's henchmen? Like, they say something anti-Putin to this media, they will disappear when Russia takes back the region (either via a peace deal or via military force), since I highly doubt Ukraine wants to permanently annex it.
It gets him not killed by Putin's minions. I guarantee he's interested in politics and the war. But he can't talk about it because he could be killed. What you're hearing isn't apathy. It's how you survive when your country isn't free.
I actually know a lot of people from Donbas (mostly Lugansk) who say the same thing. Most of my Lugansk friends of course left their homes after 2014 (and were also the first to join the Ukrainian army), but it's the ones who still remain there who all claim to "not be interested in politics." They're a bit of an odd bunch, but I understand it to a point. Many people who are in their situation just want to survive. They want to continue running their businesses and living in the same homes they grew up in. If they're considered to be in Russian territory, fine. Or Ukrainian territory.. also fine. As long as they continue to exist, all it good. It kind of makes you realize that sometimes being interested in politics is a bit privileged, in a super backwards way
"i'm not interested in politics. i just like crosswords" translates to "if i speak i'm in big trouble, and i don't want to be in big trouble"
That IS the problem. No one wants to speak! And now, "big trouble" will come to find them.
I believe Russians could live better under Ukrainians. Actually that makes Kremlins most angry.
The Kremlin's greatest fear was that Ukraine would go into the EU and become far less corrupt and more prosperous, just as Poland and the Baltics. With all the family bonds between Ukraine and Rssia, the difference would make Rssia's governance untenable in the long run. So Ukraine had to be brought back into the Rssian sphere of influence.
@@jesan733 Agreed
@@jesan733 Yeah. And there are also Russians living in these countries and they're living far better than in Russia. So people in Russia may start to compare and think bad things about their gov. Other countries would be rather prefer better sphere as well. Of course in exchange russian propaganda would call them a prostitutes of USA, Slav's traitors etc. I remember how nasty they laughing out Romania in their main medias, but then appears PKB per capita is higher than russian one :)
the funniest things about some* russians who vow their faith to putiin living in western countries such as the U.K., Spain, Mexico, Canada, or the U.S. they are blind to how real the Ukrainian conflict is and do not know the crimes of humanity that the russian military ordered to its own men and to the people of Ukraine, traumatizing generations and traumatizing the land
The thing is if you live outside of Moscow or Peter it is like living in a time capsule to the past. Some with no indoor plumbing or toilet or electricity, these people need not live like this their whole lives anymore and I think under new gov this could happen
Those are the civilians that were waving happily to russian tanks on the way into Ukraine back in 2022. Now the war they were so happy to encourage is back in their own town.
They live in abject terror you will NEVER understand.
"I'm not interested in politics" the ruzzian equivalent to "I was just following orders".
SLAVA UKRAINI 💙 🇺🇦 🔱
In Court room a Lot of them will say " we didnt kow anything about the war crimes of Russia."
@@ronaldlintow3782 Its not that easy to judge in my opinion,... They get brainwashed and seperated from the world and you can get a charge up to 10 years spending in gulag for critic,... the FSB, GRO and so on wont go easy on citizens too. As long as the Majority isnt ready to riot, its a life threatening choice to riot by yourself.
No, it's really not. People want to care about their home, family, friends and their little life. And what happened in Russia is that the people made a quiet deal with the state.
In exchange for peace of mind, they ignore politics.
The problem is that while they ignored politics it sure as hell didn't ignore them and were able to run unchecked.
No it is fear of punishment, that is why they asked for their faces to be blurred. What would be the point of getting yourself sent to jail, potentially, for the crime of speaking against the "special military operation"? It would achieve nothing, speaking does nothing in a dictatorship, only very expensive private armies can change anything in Russia, what do you think speaking or voting does when the elections are shams anyway? Demanding that people pointlessly get themselves in trouble by speaking their mind in any dictatorship with billionaire oligarchs with private and national armies able to crush any uprising of the mostly non-rich majority, is a sign of not understanding such dictatorships, naively believing that in every country it matters what people think and how they vote just cos that is your experience and you like to believe individual power is universal. Ordinary people have no power to stop the war, even collectively let alone individuals asked questions on camera. The dictatorship is systematically kidnapping and committing genocide against its entire fighting age men demographic, by seemingly intentionally getting as many of its military slaves ("conscripts") to be maimed or to die as possible. Winning no longer seems to be the goal, cos they are not feeding them enough and are sending them to certain death by making them "attack" unarmed, without any ammunition. So there is nowhere near enough healthy fighting age men left in Russia to stage an uprising that would stand a chance. The people left in Russia currently can't do anything. The war is now seemingly a cover that allows them to legally wipe out a generation of their fighting age men to make the general population left after all this, even less of a threat. What are the old people in this video, knowing their sons and nephews and neighbours have been sent to be exterminated under the guise of winning a now doomed war, supposed to do? Unfortunately only a financial collapse can end this dictatorship, its nuclear status rules out external military intervention.
2:10 “before then they were firing. But the war actually started on August 5-6.” Anonymous Russian citizen. *WRONG* _For you_ the war started that day, for Ukrainians being shelled by units from within Russia the war started several years ago. For Crimean Ukrainian people, it started in 2014. Now perhaps you understand what Ukrainian civilians have been living through for years, a decade in some cases.
Did you ever talked with Crimean people? A friend of mine have relatives who lived there all their lives. They said things got better, because Russia actualy developed the region.
@@rabenovich Really? Must have been in the Russian backed junta.
@@DrakeN-ow1im I wonder what's your problem, or defect. Can't accept simple truth?
@@rabenovich Would you actually be cogniscent of the 'truth'? Anecdote does not equate with facts.
@@DrakeN-ow1im What facts? That you see in your local news? XD
Disgusting seeing those old people say how things were fine with Ukrainians but then say the war didn’t start until August 5th. Neighbors? Villains. Pathetic, the whole lot of them.
Yes it is , but they only have the Kremlin controlled media for quite a while now. Throw enough mud and it sticks
Agree. Disgusting. Hundreds of thousands of people died. More were injured or badly traumatized. Millions of people lost everything, since the vile russians destroyed whole cities, towns and villages over a large area of the Ukraine.
Sickening to watch their extreme self-centeredness and complete lack of interest in others.
do not blame innocent civilians especially old with dementia for the sins of Russian army
Disgusting to see how people deliberately misunderstand or misrepresent things in order to have somebody to look down to. Vilainous. Pathetic, all such individuals. The people in Sudzha were specifically asked when combat began IN THEIR AREA.
This is why the Ukrainians had to take the war to Russia. The Russian people are very good at putting their heads in the sand.
The age old Russian saying, “I am not involved or interested in politics” says it all. No wonder their country is such a mess.
A far cry from Bucha. I'm glad that Ukraine is on our side.
A huge huge huge hug from Italy.
Russian atrocities committed in Bucha against Ukrainians. When the UA recaptured the town, they had to bury multiple corpses just lying out there in the open.
Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ukraine: Your best friend or worst enemy. 💙💛
I hope the Russian citizens take notice that the Ukrainians are treating them better than Russia does! How does the old woman said, they used to trade across border without a problem! The Russian Citizens need to replace their leader to stop this war!!
why do u think the RUS leadership started this war in the first place?
Exactly because UKR gave the people of RUS a (bad) example of how things can work out if the leadership was "different".
How? When they think, the war started on the 6. of August?
I am speechless. How can they even say this?
About 2k people from Kursk r reportedly missing...let's hope they're all safe and haven't become victims of vendetta...
@@surendramumgai631 as if RUS or whatever local "order" they have there will have ANY IDEA WHATSOEVER about the people normally living there and where they are headed when the former force is pushed out and another force is going in..
LOL?!?
@@surendramumgai631 Nope, ukrainians are not like you russians, they don't take civilians to assassinate, they are proper soldiers not thugs
And notice you don't see or hear about the Ukranian soldiers stealing washing machines and whatnot, like the Russian counterparts did.
It's great to see the Ukrainians acting with honor and empathy. They treat the Russian citizens better than the Russian government does.
This is land inhabited, to large extent, by ethnic Ukrainians who were assimilated over the centuries by the Kremlin. Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh and Rostov have as much if not more to do with Kyiv than they do with Moskva. Let's not even begin discussions about the Kuban. Have a listen to the Kuban Cossack Choir repertoire.
@@IgorSinitar Don't even get started with this crap. You have Hungarians, Romanians, Poles etc. Who would be more than happy to "take" their piece of Ukraine and leave. How many centuries do you want to go back? You're delusional.
For people living in Russia, it started in Aug, while people in Ukraine it started a couple of years a go. But, yet the Ukraine military is providing food, water, medical treatment and assistance in evaluating. Ukraine wants to save lives, Putin wants to distroy lives.
It started in 2014 - Crimean invasion and border incursions by Putin’s “little green men”.
Ask any Russian when the 2nd World War began and you will get this answer: 22 June 1941. That was the day that Germany decided to invade Russia. It was not September 1st, 1939 when Germany and Russia invaded Poland.
Russians simply has a warped view of history and who did what and when, so it is not surprising that "all those things in the south west" are not a war and certainly not their fault.
For people in rossia it started in August. For people in the west, it started in 2022. For Ukrainians it most recently REstarted in 2014.
The people in Sudzha were specifically asked when combat started IN THEIR AREA. Stop lying.
@@AdrianBoyko People in Russia in general know very well that war in the Donbass began in 2014. The people in Sudzha were specifically asked when combat started IN THEIR AREA. Stop lying.
I can tell when there is fear to discuss politics. Its scary to see the hesitation but reluctant acceptance
USA 🇺🇸 for Ukraine 🇺🇦 Americans for democracy,
America isn’t a Democracy. It’s a Constitutional Republic.
real americans support Ukraine!
Russia must cease this foolish war!
Don’t worry babushka you will be able to visit your neighbor again soon.
The war started in February 2022, not August 2024
Nah, it technically started in February 2014, from the conquest of Crimea by Russian army. They weren't allowed to leave Sevastopol city, let alone to conquer government buildings and military bases of Ukraine.
Depends. People love to classify things & events. The Russo-Ukraine War began in 2014 in Donbas. The Russian Full Scale Invasion began in February 2022. According to the locals interviewed in this video, the Battle for Kursk began around August 5th or 6th 2024.
@@olic7266 Crimea was also part of the war, conquering other country positions is also act of aggression. A few Ukrainian soldiers even died there refusing to give up the bases to Russians.
@@VORASTRA Russia was responsible for starting the Donbass war too
@@nobbynobbs8182 I know, the same guy who was in Crimea was also in charge of Donetsk offensive (Girkin/Strelkov). He is now in Russian prison for basically telling too much truth about this.
One of the realities of war is that, at the beginning, no-one knows how it will proceed or how it will end. Some people will suffer immeasurably and some not at all. Neither outcome will have anything to do with their culpability or innocence. The only way citizens of any country can protect themselves from the horrors of war is to ensure one never starts.
We hear "not interested in politics" spoken all the time.
The vehemence of the old guy suggested more than just being uninterested, but actively disinterested.
He means, not interested in falling out of a window.
@@DalerMehndiDeekSheik he's not important enough to worry about that, he just has serf brain
he's afraid.
Its classic Soviet mentality. Dont rock the boat, dont draw attention to yourself.
@@vertigoalopolus no, it's classic people living under oppression mentality. Please lecture them about how to behave from the safety and comfort of your own country.
Reporter in Russia: "When did the war start here?"
Russian resident: "August 6" (2024)
The world: When did the war start all over Ukraine?
The world: Ukrainians have been dying and suffering since 2022.
Actually since 2014, when Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula and Putin’s “little green men” started serious clashes in Donetsk and Luhansk. At the time it was a soft invasion, basically testing the waters to see how the international community would respond, and the ability of Ukraine to resist the provocations. If the world had responded emphatically at that time, equipping Ukraine and issuing blistering sanctions, the 2022 full war may not have happened.
@@sjsomething4936 Agree that the world should have reacted long before 2022. Nevertheless, my point remains that the actual full military invasion (with the objective of actually overthrowing the elected government of the State of Ukraine) and the bombing of Ukrainian cities, of children parks, hospitals, apartment buildings and maternity wards) started in February, 2022.
@@sjsomething4936 Yep, appeasement never works.. Chamberlain & his aides stepped into that same trap.
@@sjsomething4936 I thought that was his point.... that the Russians are doing the same thing where they acknowledge it happening only once it affects them.
Since 2014, not 2022...
“The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
― Plato
Stay on the high road and uphold your moral duty-provide humanitarian aid and follow international protocols.
Bottom line Ukraine has to conduct itself correctly during this operation or it will lose western support. But either way Russia has been attacking Ukraine from bases inside its borders given that it’s been restricted from using longer range weapons across the border this is the only other option. The military bases have to be neutralised and land has to be seized to be used in negotiations later on.
Russia needs to end this now by restoring 1991 borders that are internationally recognised.
Well speak with chocked Ukrainiens that have to endure that for more than two years, because of the same Russian.
Its still crazy to me that the civilians on the border think the war started 2 weeks ago. Even if it hadnt personally affected you before then. Like others had said they used to shop in Ukraine, take the bus, and Ukrainians.would shop in their bazaar. Youd think theyd realize when they couldnt do those things that something was going on.
Look for the videos from that region in Kursk at feb 22. They were cheering the invading columns on from the side of the roads. Thousends of them
Thats because the reporter specifically asked them when did the war start here (as in Kursk region).
@@BoskoBuha99 Their country invaded their neighbor, and they are on the border! Just because they personally weren't being bombed, they think they were not at war! Incredibly self-centered and willfully ignorant.
So these guys didnt watch state tv. Sounds legit
@@Spearca Thats just russians in general. Its the culture that has been developed there. you can see the same thing in their atitudes towards family members in the war. as long as it does not touch them individually they don't care. Quite ironic in a way.
0:34 "abandoned the elderly, women, sick children"
'fighting age males'. Nobody can run away quite like them.
No no no, you don't understand. They weren't "hauling ass to get away". They were "advancing in the opposite direction in pursuit of more favorable tactical positioning" ;)!
cause Ukrainians evacuated 100% of civilians from their occupied territories, am I right?
Not being interestes in politics is like not being interested in who is flying your plane.
Do you know who is going to perform your open heart surgery next week? Nah....some guy i guess... hopefully a surgeon.
"I'm not interested in politics."
And that's precisely why you have a war going on right now.
I'm a 73yo Australian. I am disinterested in politics. Nothing strange about a 73yo Russian man being disinterested in politics. Stop trying to invent scenarios mate, it's the action of fools.
@@einfelder8262 you’re a bot.
@@einfelder8262 I'm a 108yo Indonesian. I am posting from the moon. Nothing strange about a 108yo Guatemalan man disinterested in posting from the moon.
@@einfelder8262 I am a retired Australian as well. Incompetent Donbas rebels and the Russian army killed many of our Australian civilian people on flight MH17. You comment looks false.
It's sad when these people say they're not interested in politics and now they're in a war torn city. You might not want to be interested in politics, but at some point, it impacts you. I hope this doesn't happen to other people and I hope we all become more interested in politics so this doesn't happen to the rest of us.
look at the difference between the 2 countries one humane and the othere is inhumane
So 53 seconds into the video, we hear an unidentified Russian in Kursk, (the Russian Region invaded by Ukraine), say:
""Ukraine is right next door.
"We used to go shopping there all the time.
"The bus was cheap. They traded at our bazaar.
"We went there. We talked to each other."
It sounds like the Ukraine/ Russian Border was like the Canadian/ American Border.
And then Putin has to ruin it.
Very touching.
Very Tragic.
Very Sad.
I hope Ukraine wins the War and Putin is arrested for War Crimes.
Slava Ukrainia.
Its really good news to hear Ukraine is providing the local population with aid these efforts include emergency medical care, psychological support, education, food assistance, and infrastructure repair to ensure access to clean water and electricity. Humanitarian aid in conflict zones is the provision of emergency assistance and support to individuals and communities affected by armed conflict, with the aim of alleviating suffering, maintaining human dignity, and preserving life. This type of aid encompasses a wide range of services, including but not limited to, the delivery of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection services, and is delivered amidst challenging and often dangerous conditions, with the goal of reaching those most in need regardless of their location, political affiliation, or status.
Humanitarian organizations need to engage in increased negotiations with all parties to this conflict. These negotiations aim to secure safe passage for aid convoys and establish ceasefires that allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Tell that to the Israeli government. too.
Radio Free Liberty, where the NEWS is EVERY TIME! 😀
-amazing how civilized the Ukrainians are compared to russian troops
"I´m not interested in politics, I like doing crosswords" - My favorite quote.
Watching this shows you how poor Russia is. This town of Sudzha looks very poor. Praying for peace.
Russia as a country is not poor. Must of the Russian people are poor cuz of their government
Corruption is a normal thing in Orcland
They choose and continue to choose a goverment that keeps them poor. Other countries have people protest over much less than this.
They could be easily a second Canada or better. But their elites and society...
The country had massive revenues from selling gas. But they dont invest it wisely, at all. What you are seeing is footage from the richer part of the country.
God bless Ukraine 🇺🇦
"I'm not interested in politics"... means I don't want to go to the Gulag
Yes, and afterwards they've clearly all been part of the Resistance. Déjà vu...Greetings from Germany!
What would you say if surrounded by nazis ?
@@kobie7515 An apt description of Putin's police force.
@@kobie7515 which side do you say are nazi's?
@@Tr_Fastthe ones who wear nazi insignia on their uniforms
There's a special place in hell for ordinary russians that are "not interested in politics".
I think that's unfair, being too interested in politics is too dangerous in Putin's Russia.
@@martinwyke I guess you're being fair, I could have worded my feelings more intelligently.
I agree with Ofasia. You get the government you deserve ... for which you work.
I suppose it illustrates the difference between responsibility and guilt. The way I see it, Putin and his inner circle are guilty of the death of every Ukrainian and Russian in this war, but the average Russian is responsible for them.
Try to talk truth to power in an environment where the few who hold that power are free to do what they want with u, ur family and anyone u know.
Most people simply want to survive, even if it means to knuckle under and pay the "mob"
It's only a few who are brave (and extremist / crazy) enough to risk it against such odds.
Sometimes this works and they get to live and change the system (ultimately not changing a thing tho).. but most often they only shorten their life or make it very very miserable.
sad to hear russia leave the old and disabled, says alot
How Repugnikkkant! One of the reasons the Deplorables love Russia and Putin!
SLAVA UKRAINI 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦
for russia ww 2 happend in 1941 let that sink in they are still doing this
Hold on... Did they retroactively rebrand rolling tanks into Poland on 17.09.1939?
@@VestinVestin yea they helped hitler whit poland so yeah that must have been a special militairy mission aswell lmao
What these people are going through is terrible! No one should ever have their homeland occupied by another country. I hope the war comes to a speedy end.
Slava Ukraini ✊
They saying they don't know politics is a defense mechanism
Ukranians helping abandoned Russian civilians tells you a lot about his war
That water the Ukrainians brought them did more damage to Putin than a thousand Storm Shadows.
yeah...they´re never interested in politics
Let me sum it up for those who do not want to watch the whole video: up until the time Ukraine invaded their territory, Russians kind of knew there was something going on but did not think much of it. Now that they are getting what their soldiers have been dishing out to Ukrainians for more than two years, all of a sudden they understand there is a war going on. This is what is called willful blindness. I am not happy to see these people suffer but, come on!!!
Absolutely true!
Actually, they are not getting what Ukrainians got from the Russians. Ukrainians are providing food and aid. Russians tortured and murdered Ukrainian civilians. Note the difference!
Yes very true and well stated
Russian people are only getting a fraction of what Ukraine suffered. A small fraction of. Ukraine doesn’t pillage, rape, torture and murder - and acts with compassion towards civilians. It’s a huge difference. Remember Bucha.
They better start getting political.
Radio Free Europe, huh? That's a name I have not heard in a long time. A long, long time.
It shows the world how civilised Ukrainian soldiers are who adheres to the International laŵ of war. What a complete contrast to the Russian soldiers from a communist regime. Slava Ukraine ! 🇺🇦 ♥️
The problem with not being interested in politics is that politicians make decisions for you, that is their job. So if you do not care about what and how they decide on, that is on you because they will have to make decisions for you either way.
Russians are like: Is it still a Special Military Operation, or are we allowed to call it a war now?
In Russian : "I'm not interested in politics"
Translation : "This war is nonsense and a catastrophy for Russia"
Technically it did start on 8/6 for them as that's when it came to their town
What goes around, comes around ...
That's pretty much what Russia looked like in the 1980's too. I'm glad to see nothing has changed.
Time for Russians to wake up and experience a modicum of what Ukraines have been through for the last 30 months Ukraine 🇺🇦
When you pursue war , war will eventually pursue you.
Meanwhile at Putins' $1.6 billion seaside retreat ....
Meanwhile on PutIers 700 million USD super yacht 🛥
"I'm not interested in politics" - but the politics is interested in YOU.
It's going to be hard persuading those Russian villagers to go back and live under Putin after the treatment they've received at the hands of Ukrainian soldiers.
Yeah, the treatment captured on camera lol.
@@blastermike_sd70ace80 ...and you are privy to what is happening 'off camera'?
@@DrakeN-ow1im yeah, subscribing to some ukrainian and russian telegram channels gets you that
No one in Russia is ever interested in politics. Okay, then……
We need to stop saying Ukraine captured a city, they liberated a city!
"The War started last week."
"So then what would call what Russia has been doing in Ukraine for the last two years?"
"I don't get into Politics..."
reason they say that is because Putin passed a law saying if you say its a war or contradict official sources you get about 10y in jail and all your property seized by the authorities
That's a civilised conquest!
Expecting now that Russians to put their towns to rubles
I guess you meant rubble. Rubles aren't worth the paper they're printed on
@@PaulusN-p3m Rubble is possibly worth more than rubles!
Would you rather have your home town occupied by Russian or Ukranian soldiers? I already know your answer.
Oh look the special military operation made its way back home
I can’t believe these people don’t know how long this war has been going on. They are like in a different universe
Hey Ukraine, use the same date as the Orc elections to hold a “referendum” just as the Orcs did after invading your territory.
Pure ignorance of the Russian people “ There was some kind of fighting but I’m not interested in politics, I like crosswords”
Reminds me of the “I like Turtles” meme
Stay safe guys
It wasn’t war until it directly effected me 😅
I feel it's a great chance for the Ukrainian side to show videos and photos of what the Russian military was doing to their civilians and to the surrendered soldiers. Even the average Germans were shocked after the second world war to learn what was going on.
And God said let the mountains crumble to the Sea.... !!!
you can just hear "I am not interested in politics" from Russians. Nobody else is talking like that.
Ur right only normal people say that.
poor dude just wants to do crossword puzzles, I definitely sympathize with him. American politics have gotten so nasty the only way to win is not to let the wokists or the baseists draw you in