Putin’s war on freedom of expression in Russia is bleeding out. Guests on the Kremlin-backed television channel openly criticized the conflict in Ukraine, describing the invasion as ‘worse than Afghanistan’.
They have refused to support the narrative conveyed by the television presenters over Putin’s claim that Russia is conducting a “special operation” to “demilitarize” and “de-Nazify” Ukraine. They regarded the stories as baseless excuses offered by Kyiv and its partners in the West.
‘IT’S ALREADY ENOUGH’
One of the guests on the television show rebelled, referring to the disastrous invasion of Afghanistan by the USSR in 1979. They said Moscow’s failure in this war fueled the frustration of millions of people in the Soviet Union and ultimately led to the collapse of the ‘Evil Empire’ in 1991.
Vladimir Soloviev, Putin’s EU-sanctioned ‘propagandist’, was asked, ‘Do we need to enter another Afghanistan phase or worse?’ ‘There are more people in Ukraine and they are more advanced in the use of weapons. There’s no need for that. It’s already enough.” He replied.
‘RUSSIA CAN BE VERY ALONE’
Karen Shakhnazarov, a filmmaker and government expert, said the conflict in Ukraine risks isolating Russia.
‘I find it hard to imagine invading cities like Kyiv. I can’t even imagine what it would be like.’ Demanding an end to the war, the filmmaker continued: ‘If this picture starts to degenerate into an absolute humanitarian disaster, even our close allies like China and India will have to distance themselves from us.
This public opinion, which they have drawn the whole world into, may end badly for us… Ending this operation will bring stability within the country.’ said.