In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American social media grifter and supplements salesman, Scottson "Ayden" Sterritt (@squatsons). He's best-known for his extensive experience in geopolitics, bodybuilding and military strategy, and for his strong support for Russia.
1/20
Before starting to simp for Putin, Scottson was involved in the bodybuilding scene. His vast knowledge on geopolitics and military issues stems from his education at the prestigious Cibola High School.
2/20
In addition to grifting online, Sterritt has had another source of income: he sells protein powders, shakes, and such. As you can see from the photo (and the receding hairline) below, he's found the perfect, natural way of bodybuilding with the help of @MnmProlabs ...
3/20
...shakes and protein bars. All natural, baby.
But maybe the powder business wasn't very lucrative, and after the war started he found a nice opportunity in selling Z-merchandise, claiming its for charity and pocketing the profits.
4/20
Apparently Sterritt's main job at the moment is to tweet about the Russo-Ukrainian War. He averages about 60 tweets per day, and most, if not all, are related to the conflict.
5/20
Sterritt was also allegedly involved in the crowdfunding efforts with Sarah "Donbass Devushka" Bils. Apparently he was part of the organizing team for the merchandise, and stated that "all proceeds go to charities helping the Donbass."
While NAFO was conducting research on "Donbass Devushka", he was speculating that the "investigation is meaningless and no one care about your theories about our team." 12 days later a small local newspaper called Wall Street Journal broke the DD story on their front page.
7/20
He also tweeted that "I know her name and it isn't Sarah or whatever," which can actually be true in case Sarah had already changed her name to Lyudmila. Lyudmila might or might not be in the backseat in the last photo with Scotty.
8/20
Sterritt's most popular episode of his "Kalibrated with Scott" podcast was when he hosted the convicted sex criminal, Scott Ritter. Ritter's expertise was evident during the early days of war, when he claimed that "Ukraine is getting schooled in the art of Urban warfare."
9/20
Because of Scottson's extensive knowledge in geopolitics and military issues, he knew already back in Aug 2022, that Iranian drones weren't being sent to Russia, calling the claim "complete crap".
10/20
A month later he was selling T-shirts promoting Iranian drones,again claiming that "all proceeds go to charities helping the Donbass." I think it would be an interesting investigation to see where the money actually went.
11/20
Now, let's look briefly at Sterritt's amazing ability to do military analysis. In Aug 2022, he tweeted that Kherson "will never be Ukraine again." The city was of course recaptured by the Ukrainian forces just three months later.
12/20
He was also all about the "winter of death", many times suggesting that Ukraine wouldn't survive over the winter, and that they'd "capitulate when the power goes off".
He cheered for the Vuhledar push in Nov 2022, which turned out to be a complete failure for the Russians.
13/20
In May 2023, Scotty tweeted that Russia "never targeted civilians power infrastructure, only substations linked to rail traffic." Then, few months later he was sharing videos of Russian's targeting a power station in Kyiv. Because Scotty's consistent like that.
14/20
Sterritt's made fun of both big counteroffensives conducted by the Ukrainian forces. Back in Aug 2022, he seemed to think that the first counteroffensive was a total failure. Few months later Ukraine re-captured a lot of areas (see the before and after map below).
15/20
He's always claimed to be having higher moral standards than the rabid Shiba Inus of NAFO, but in May 2022, he tweeted this nasty gem. The tweet's now deleted, of course, as it could be a PR hit for the morale crusader Scottson.
16/20
In May 2023, Scotty appeared on an open mic podcast called Defense Politics Asia, where he discussed various topics, including Bucha. He cast doubts on the events of Bucha, suggesting that the West had started their propaganda push some time prior to the events, ...
17/20
...and emphasized that it was either "something that didn't happen" or an "isolated incident", just like the tortured people in the mass graves in Izium, constant bombing of civilian targets around Ukraine, and the children's torture chambers in Kherson.
18/20
He claimed that he's been "for peace" the whole time, and that the Ukrainians should stop fighting and negotiate for peace. I did a quick search on Scotty's tweets, but couldn't find any calls for peace prior to Putin's fake annexation of the four Ukrainian Oblasts.
19/20
Currently he is focusing on bashing the ongoing second Ukrainian counteroffensive, especially celebrating any lost vehicles that were donated by Western countries.
Don't know about you, but I'm getting some popcorn ready for Scotty's coping if the offensive is successful!
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll introduce an Estonian lawyer, social activist, politician, and useful idiot for the Kremlin, Varro Vooglaid (@varrovooglaid). He’s best-known for promoting pro-Kremlin viewpoints under the guise of “traditional family values.”
1/20
Vooglaid has an academic background, which usually gives people plenty of credibility in the eyes of the Kremlin. Most of his academic career was spent at the University of Tartu, but he was also a researcher between 2007 and 2011 at the University of Helsinki.
2/20
Varro is likely the most influential vatnik in Estonia. His academic credentials provide him credibility, while his religious image appeals to “traditionalists” - many of whom oddly admire Russia and its imperialistic nature.
In today’s Vatnik Soup REBREW, I’ll introduce a Russian ultra-nationalist propagandist and “philosopher”, Aleksandr Dugin. He’s best-known for his blueprint on Russia’s geopolitical strategy and for his genocidal rhetoric towards Ukrainians.
1/17
In my first Dugin Soup, I covered the man’s 1997 book Foundations of Geopolitics — a manual for dismantling the West, breaking up NATO, and building a Russian-led empire. In it, he makes eerie “predictions” that seem to be playing out today.
2/17
Dugin called for destabilizing the US by exacerbating internal divisions. Fast forward to today: culture wars, conspiracy theories, far-right lunatics, and social media algorithms doing half the work for him.
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll introduce Russian propagandist Sergei Tsaulin. He’s best-known for spreading pro-Kremlin narratives in Estonia, fleeing to Russia after breaking several laws in Estonia, and almost getting blown up by a bomb in St. Petersburg.
1/17
For years, Tsaulin was known for organizing marches and events glorifying the Soviet Union. Under the excuse of “remembering history,” these events were nothing more than Kremlin propaganda, wrapped in a red flag with a hammer and sickle.
2/17
One of his most infamous events was the “Immortal Regiment” march, held every 9th of May, where people carried portraits of Soviet soldiers. These marches are used by Russia to push the idea that the Baltics owe their existence to the Soviets.
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll introduce a podcaster and conspiracy theorist, Joe Rogan (@joerogan). He’s best-known for launching the biggest podcast in the world, promoting various conspiracy theories, his support for Donald Trump and his anti-Ukraine rhetoric.
1/22
Joe Rogan started as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s, found fame on NewsRadio, and became a household name with Fear Factor. But his biggest impact came in 2009 when he launched The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), one of the first major podcasts.
2/22
JRE started as casual but deep conversations, often covering countercultural topics like psychedelics, MMA & hunting. Joe’s podcasting style is largely non-confrontational, often allowing his guests to share their views without significant pushback or critical questioning.
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll introduce KOOS party leader and Estonian crypto businessman Oleg Ivanov. He’s best known for running shady businesses, spreading Russian false narratives in Estonia, and participating in the pro-Kremlin political party KOOS.
1/18
As a talented youngster, Oleg learned Estonian almost flawlessly, was a promising karate athlete, and landed a job at a law firm at just 20. He caught the eye of Estonian fuel entrepreneur Endel Siff, who quickly took him under his wing.
2/18
Oleg’s father, Vladimir Ivanov, was a longtime politician from the Russian-funded United People’s Party of Estonia. His career at the town hall ended abruptly when he was caught drunk at work. After that, he went into business with his son, Oleg.