The Russians are catching on that President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine is not going so well.
Putin’s call for conscription of an estimated 300,000 reservists has brought the war into their homes. Now fathers, uncles, and even grandfathers are being forced into a battle that they still don’t understand.
How is it their duty to fight Ukraine?
When Russia first invaded seven months ago, Putin said it was to “de-Nazify” Ukraine — a solid democracy. A master at victimhood, Putin has broadened the scope as an existential battle with the West.
Unfortunately, Russians appear to have little say in the matter. Putin’s mandate last week ordered those up to age 55 with military experience to expect the call.
As for those who protest the invasion on moral grounds, they have been jailed — or worse. Conscientious objectors have no rights in Russia.
Today, hundreds of thousands are trying to flee the country rather than fight their neighbor. Lines of cars and buses at the borders are miles deep. The cost of outward bound flights is almost tenfold.
Many countries, including the United States and most of Europe, have banned flights from Russia, limiting recruits’ choices to countries that either remain sympathetic to Russia or don’t require visas, including Turkey and Israel.
Many fear it’s only a matter of time before Putin closes the border for men of military age, trapping them in his service.
Up until now, Russians have swallowed Putin’s propaganda. According to polls, a majority have been content to believe that Ukraine and its Western allies are the aggressors.
Putin’s success with this line is that he’s asked very little of everyday citizens, relying on his sole control of the military, the media and parliament’s political parties to do his dirty work.
That’s the danger of autocracies. People can be forced to satisfy the whims of crazed individuals.
As long as Putin remains in power, we can only expect more of the mayhem.
— Susan Lynn
