Thread by @y_akopov

I have spent some time last night reading Russian nationalist accounts (the well versed "intellectual" ones, not normie Putin fans), and here is a quick summary of what they think:

1. The war is expected to be over in days, or weeks at most. The main bulk of Ukrainian forces in the East is going to be encircled soon, and the main cities are already under siege. The losses are admitted to be "higher than expected", but it changes nothing.

2. The possibility of resistance after the active phase of war is dismissed, they are confident that after there is a change of power and Ukrainian activists are purged by military police, most people in Ukraine will come to their senses and accept the new reality.

4. The was is existential in a way that it is supposed to destroy the Ukrainian identity. The desired outcome seems to be not friendly Ukraine with a new government, but at least partial annexation with Ukrainian culture suppressed.

5. There is no talk of a nuclear or further wars yet in these circles. This so far can only be found (albeit quite easily) in 'normie' accounts.

Europe arming Ukraine is seen like a futile exercise (too little too late) rather than casus belli.

6. Sanctions. They are widely considered to be survivable thanks to preparations made since 2014, and the most severe ones are expected to be lifted soon after when Ukraine is defeated.

Russian billionaries forced to move to Russia with their money is considered to be great.

7. Autarky is believed to be good. The focus is mostly on tech with explanations how Yandex can provide everything Russia needs. Imports from China are expected to cover all reasonable needs in goods, and domestic manufacturing is expected to boom.

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Overall, complete dehumanisation of Ukraine, dismissal rather than aggressive challenging of the West (yesterday's hegemon) and the start of a RU golden era.

I personally think they, alas, might be right about what will happen to UA and how soon. Less confident abt the rest.