Member-only story
Russia: Mobilization mojo and madness
Tales from beyond the looking glass
It has been a crazy few days tapped into the Russian speaking world.
For many Russians, the news of “partial” mobilization has hit them harder than even the start of the “Special Operation” on the 24th of February.
Indeed, thoughout Russia there are reports that Z bumper stickers, posters and banners have disappeared from private cars and balconies- and a whole generation of Russians have turned from pro-war to peaceniks.
I have to stress that this article is written with only Russian sources used, not western. I speak Russian, having spent 7 years there and 15 in the countries of the former Soviet Union. My family’s first language is Russian too, though they are not ethnic Russians.
Amongst the many contributors on Medium, there are a few who have similar access to the Russian speaking world and all provide excellent analysis. Not everyone is so informed, sadly.
But I wish to give a small summary of some of the events of the last few days, most verified but not all- but still accounts from Russians themselves.
Firstly, I can speak about the borders as some, even in Russia, have doubted the border chaos. My father-in-law just arrived back from Russia this evening, he…
