UPDATE 🧵: Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) recently provided a 7-page report to several federal ministries, that conclude a number of Russian right-wing extremist and neo-Nazis are currently serving in the ranks of Russian forces involved in the war in Ukraine. 
(2) News of the BND intelligence document was first reported by the German media outlet Der Spiegel.
spiegel.de/politik/deutsc…
spiegel.de/politik/deutsc…
(3) Clearly, evidence of Russia having neo-Nazis within their ranks only makes Putin's claims of "denazification" of Ukraine all the more ridiculous.
One might recall back in early May I reported the neo-Nazis who were supposedly planning to murder Russian TV host and
One might recall back in early May I reported the neo-Nazis who were supposedly planning to murder Russian TV host and
(4) propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, were in fact, Russian-nationals living in Moscow.
https://twitter.com/LtTimMcMillan/status/1521178593140908033?s=20&t=XlyxFf3lfiIKGQTTt19rtQ
(5) To truly understand the Kremlin's duplicitous use of the term "Ukrainian Nazis," you have to realize the revisionist way Putin and his cohorts have adopted the term "Nazi."
Rather than describing the NSDAP of Adolf Hitler, Putin and Co. have perverted the term Nazi to mean
Rather than describing the NSDAP of Adolf Hitler, Putin and Co. have perverted the term Nazi to mean
(6) any person or nation-state who Putin perceives to be an opponent or enemy of the Russian Federation. In particular, former Soviet Bloc states, like Ukraine, who might desire a sovereign existence free from their former Russian overlords.
(7) With this, Putin distorts the definition of Nazism the same way one might call someone who engages in immoral behavior to be the "devil" or "Satan."
Calling all your opponents Nazis plays right into the WW2 cult that Putin has been instilling in Russia for the
Calling all your opponents Nazis plays right into the WW2 cult that Putin has been instilling in Russia for the
(8) last 2 decades. @shaunwalker7 wrote a phenomenal book on this - The Long Hangover - which I highly, highly recommend.
The point is, the reason you see far-right neo-Nazis within Russian forces, is because those AREN'T the Nazis Putin is talking about fighting in Ukraine.
The point is, the reason you see far-right neo-Nazis within Russian forces, is because those AREN'T the Nazis Putin is talking about fighting in Ukraine.
(9) Useful idiots who point to isolated examples of Ukrainians who espouse neo-Nazi beliefs -whether in or out of the Ukrainian armed forces- are totally missing the boat here.
A. Every nation has select pockets of morally depraved people who espouse Nazi views.
A. Every nation has select pockets of morally depraved people who espouse Nazi views.
(10) Including Russia! (See Tweets #1-3). This, however, does not and should not be considered to be the prevailing ideology of a nation.
B. Those AREN'T even the Nazis Putin is talking about! In fact, if you live in the West, generally speaking, to Putin, YOU are a "Nazi."
B. Those AREN'T even the Nazis Putin is talking about! In fact, if you live in the West, generally speaking, to Putin, YOU are a "Nazi."
(11) The overall point here is people need to get it out of their head that Putin is waging a war in Ukraine against perceived "enemies." This includes even NATO.
True, Putin abhors what he sees as a Western hegemony. However, the invasion of Ukraine is a good old fashioned
True, Putin abhors what he sees as a Western hegemony. However, the invasion of Ukraine is a good old fashioned
(12) war of conquest. Real life 21st Century Russian colonialism.
Though as I've discussed ad nauseam how the term Nazi is inappropriately applied to the war in Ukraine (amongst many other facets of life). When it comes to Putin's true intentions, they are comparable to
Though as I've discussed ad nauseam how the term Nazi is inappropriately applied to the war in Ukraine (amongst many other facets of life). When it comes to Putin's true intentions, they are comparable to
(13) Hitler's policy of "Lebensraum," which was the ideological basis for Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland and ultimately the Soviet Union. The intent was to conquer these lands in Eastern Europe to create "living space" for the German people.
(14) Just as Putin has seized the term "Nazi" for his own self-serving interest, outside observers can likewise distort and adopt a false sense of understanding for why the war in Ukraine is actually being waged. This can skews ideas for how the war can actually be ended.
(15) In this regard it reminds me of the phrase "Suppose they gave a war and nobody came."
The slogan was popularly used in the 1960s by anti-Vietnam war activists and even began the title of a 1970 American drama-comedy film.
The slogan was popularly used in the 1960s by anti-Vietnam war activists and even began the title of a 1970 American drama-comedy film.
(16) Though virtually no one knows it, the phrase was actually borrowed from the first line of a poem by early 20th Century poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht. The entire poem reads:
(17)
"What if they gave a war and nobody came?
Why then the war would come to you!
He who stays home when the fight begins and lets another fight for his causes should take care.
He who does not take part in the battle will share in the defeat...
"What if they gave a war and nobody came?
Why then the war would come to you!
He who stays home when the fight begins and lets another fight for his causes should take care.
He who does not take part in the battle will share in the defeat...
(18) Even avoiding battle will not avoid battle, since not to fight for your own cause really means fighting on behalf of your enemy's cause."
The first line's meaning entirely changes, once you see the whole picture. 🤔
The first line's meaning entirely changes, once you see the whole picture. 🤔
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