This is exactly what coup plotters usually do: openly boast about their plans on TV well in advance. In fact, whether Zelenskyi would stay in the office till the end of his cadence has been discussed widely from the moment Z. was elected. First, by the nationalist opposition.
By Poroshenko "25%" supporters, by the "anti-capitulation" campaign who openly called for violent revolt in case Z. would proceed with Minsk accords. "Vova (meaning Z.), go to Rostov (the city Yanukovych escaped in 2014 to)". There were public violent threats to Z. himself.
Zelenskyi's office was assaulted by an ex-Nazi criminal-turned into a nationalist influencer and hate-monger Sternenko's supporters from a broad coalition of far-right and NGO "liberals". Nobody was seriously punished for anything of the above.
After the escalating repression against anti-Western opposition, blocking popular opposition media by the rule of decree, antagonizing the powerful elite groups, including the richest oligarch Akhmetov, the expectations that change of government may happen sooner are high.
Especially among Akhmetov-linked politicians, journalists, influencers, among which Murayev is just one of and not the most promising (compare to ex-speaker Razumkov).
Recall also that ridiculous press-conference in Nov where Z. surprised the whole world and blamed Akhmetov for preparing coup-d'etat on December 1 without giving any evidence.
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Some theory-driven and comparative thoughts on violence, geography, and political regime in #Kazakhstan uprising. There is no actual "youth bulge", it's not from the peripheries to the capital, the "authoritarian modernization" is overrated.
The Kazakhstan uprising very quickly escalated to violence in comparison with most other post-Soviet revolutions. The younger is the population, the likelier is political violence in the country. The median age in Kazakhstan - 32. In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus: 40-41.
But Kazakhstan is younger because of the kids under 14, not because of the "youth bulge" of 15-24 - a large number of frustrated youth of the "combat age" without jobs and career prospects fitting their ambitions - one of the key factors in revolutions and violent uprisings.
The highest popularity of pro-Soviet attitudes in the history of Levada-Center surveys in Russia has no relation at all to the popularity of left identity.
In August, 49% supported "the Soviet system as it was before the 90s", 18% - "the current system", 19% - "Western-style democracy".
Besides, 62% supported the economic system based on state plan and distribution, while only 24% supported the system based on private property and market relations.
Yeah, #Azov is like deliberately making fun of those propaganda "experts" who want us to believe "Azov is a regular unit of the National Guard" and "even if #Protasevich served in Azov, so what?"
Is "Kim", the Belarusian volunteer in #Azov, expressed far-right views in the interview for Radio Svoboda? Not touching whether he and #Protasevich are the same person, there are pros and cons. But, yes, his views are far-right.
He responds to a very generic question about his and other Belarusians' in "Pahonia" squad political views. First thing, he says we are all nationalists. Then he prefers limited democracy. Then about gays, then about migration, then about democracy without "some absurdities".
I think a proper stance on #Protasevich should accept the following: 1) Whataboutism is wrong. 2) He must be released, even though he is a propagandist, his Telegram Nexta provoked hate and violence, and he apparently spent some time with the far-right Ukrainian regiment Azov.
3) Ban on flights and sanctions beyond personal hurt primarily Belarusian (and Ukrainian) people, not Lukashenka.
Although it's really difficult to feel personal sympathies to #Protasevich, not only because he served in Azov but also for the provocative role his Telegram Nexta played in Belarusian protests, I don't think his far-right links have any significance in this case.
Really fun to see a wave of similar comments questioning the confirmation of Protasevich's link to Azov by one of the oldest reputable Ukrainian newspapers. zn.ua/international/…
The Times:
"In 2014 Protasevich is reported to have travelled to eastern Ukraine, where he joined the Azov Battalion, a far-right group that fought Russian-backed separatists." thetimes.co.uk/article/hijack…