The Brink of War?

[Andy]

How are Russians who support Putin possibly ok with that though? Do they think he's just a really intelligent businessman, or are they totally fine with him being a criminal who plunders and pillages what should be one of the wealthiest nations on the planet while leaving his fellow countrymen to suffer widespread poverty?

There are only two types of such people - 1. Somehow involved in the system and making a profit; 2. Fabulously stupid, brainwashed by propaganda.

[StevieWonders]

There are only two types of such people - 1. Somehow involved in the system and making a profit; 2. Fabulously stupid, brainwashed by propaganda.

I see Abramovivich has given control (but not ownership) of Chelsea Football Club to a "collective", but I wonder about the reputational damage to any business known to be owned by a Russian who has known or perceived sympathies to the Russian government

[cdnmatt]

Hmmm... not much in terms of news tonight.

I'm going to assume this isn't one of those cases where no news is good news?

Anyway, wonder if those Canadian truckers and others feel stupid about crying bloody murder about the Canadian government and that tyrant Trudeau for asking them to get a vaccine hence stripping them of their basic freedoms?

[StevieWonders]

Hmmm... not much in terms of news tonight.

I'm going to assume this isn't one of those cases where no news is good news?

Anyway, wonder if those Canadian truckers and others feel stupid about crying bloody murder about the Canadian government and that tyrant Trudeau for asking them to get a vaccine hence stripping them of their basic freedoms?

I guess as truckers they're licensed to drive heavy vehicles. The UK Ministry of Defence is reporting that the advancing Russian army includes mobile crematoriums to dispose of the bodies of dead soldiers so the scenes of body bags returning to Russia can be avoided (so upsetting to their families, you know, who might be tempted to blame Putin)

[Moses]

The UK Ministry of Defence is reporting that the advancing Russian army includes mobile crematoriums to dispose of the bodies of dead soldiers so the scenes of body bags returning to Russia can be avoided (so upsetting to their families, you know, who might be tempted to blame Putin)

They are contractors. Them and their families knew risks before to sign contracts. Families will receive insurance compensation.

[cdnmatt]

So how much does a dead 19 year old net you in the motherland?

EDIT: Well, that didn't take long to find. I guess the Russia government just says the kid died instead of got killed, hence no need for this whole compensation thing.

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2017/09...but-not-killed

[StevieWonders]

They are contractors. Them and their families knew risks before to sign contracts. Families will receive insurance compensation.

A consolation indeed to their families. Is a contractor the same as a mercenary?

[Moses]

A consolation indeed to their families. Is a contractor the same as a mercenary?

no... mercenary - soldier in private military company, contractor - solder in state army... they have quite high salary, insurance, health service benefits and 45-days holidays with free tickets to any point of Russia for whole family yearly... in case of death at time of service family will receive insurance (it is enough for to educate 2 kids 6 years each in top-50 Russian University, or 1 kid 6 years in TOP-1 University) + 1 year salary

[StevieWonders]

no... mercenary - soldier in private military company, contractor - solder in state army... they have quite high salary, insurance, health service benefits and 45-days holidays with free tickets to any point of Russia for whole family yearly... in case of death at time of service family will receive insurance (it is enough for to educate 2 kids 6 years each in top-50 Russian University, or 1 kid 6 years in TOP-1 University) + 1 year salary

It sounds a great career opportunity

[Moses]

So how much does a dead 19 year old net you in the motherland?

EDIT: Well, that didn't take long to find. I guess the Russia government just says the kid died instead of got killed, hence no need for this whole compensation thing.

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2017/09...but-not-killed

2007, really? and 41 case for 10 years? Sure, it is enough for to make conclusion

"Died" means death from non-combatant reasons: died in drunk fight and so on.

By the way: this 19 yo kid wasn't contractor. He was trainee in military camp. Russia has 2 kinds of "soldiers": trainee and soldier.

Trainee - guy btw 18 and 27 yo who should visit mandatory 1 year training. Trainee has to be healthy, to finish school / high school / college. They are living in the camps in own regions and have intensive trainings, day-time-sleep, small allowance monthly (for canteen: cigarettes, ice cream; for cinema in local town), day off by weekends after first 3 months for to leave camp and visit local town. Parents may visit them by weekends. As alternative trainee may choose not army training but civilian service in hospital, hospice, clinic, house for elders. There are waiting lists in some regions for to became trainee - service in state companies and in any govt position is opened only for guys who finished his trainee year.

Soldier - guy after 21 yo, who finished trainee year and chooses to serve in army by contract. Only soldier may be used in military conflict by order of Ministry of defense.

Russian law forbids to use trainee in any military conflict unless whole state mobilization is declared by parliament.