Yeah, only 7 years in Russia myself, but I can attest to all of this. It's like when Microsoft announced they were pulling out of Russia-I was liek "Since when do Russians pay for Microsoft?" I mean, sure if you are a western company or such, you have to, but the average Russian does not. Driver's license? Buy one under that bridge over there.

I wrote about my ex's new husband who just died in Ukraine-and he was not poor or impoverished in the least. Still a mystery why he signed up as a contract soldier.

Still, I know another guy who lost is leg in Ukraine. Early 20s. Now, I don't think he did that deliberately, but he is hobbling around now like some gangsta with gold chains and rings and blowing that money in quick fashion saying Putin will buy him a new leg. He had enough money for two apartments in his town but he is going to go through it all in six months. Right now, the war is the best thing that happened to him and he is telling his friends. He will be a broke cripple soon.